The Water Witch Chronicles ft. Bandit

MedalOfValor · Unread post by **MedalOfValor** » Sat Aug 05, 2017 5:29 pm

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MedalOfValor · Unread post by **MedalOfValor** » Sat Aug 05, 2017 5:29 pm

1.
Uriel.
Green-eyed, dark-haired kivvil. A curiosity. Such long hair on that one. A copper and malachite dragon bead would fit him really good. On the right side of his face.

I'm running silly errands to scrape some coin together.

⋘⋘⋘ ◇ ⋙⋙⋙

2.
Vesche.
If I could name the dangers and traps of this place, they would bear your name. The Golden Snake.
Like a well-cut canary diamond, seemingly perfect til you lift it up against a light to reveal a flaw in the center.
Amber in white gold.

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3.
Alasarn's offer comes at the best possible time. His coin is still heavy in my pockets. I don't have to bow and beg for work this cycle. I will float in the Spider's Kiss baths.

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4.
To Rockrun and back. The tunnels. The muscles in my legs burn, but the coin is right.
Korit'al cavern. Cold to the touch. Soft and sharp at the same time. I can certainly appreciate the crystal structure.

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5.
In of the crypts here hides a dragon made of bone. Smooth, flawless bones kept together by magic no less. I expected the clutter and cracking, but it never came. With a young yathrin's help the osseous matter shattered and whatever held the creature together was no longer.

"I'm half surprised not to find you cowering at the feet of Imyvor," Uriel said.

Anger simmered. What right had the kivvil to assume anything? The waters of Darkwoods tried to flood my mind.

"Though. Come to think of it... I may have accidentally caused some of that. I did ask him to give you a hard time. Now that I think of it," he added, almost matter of factly.

I stared at him.
The need to submerge intensified.

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6.
Sssiks.
I've never seen anyone like her. At first, I thought she was from the surface.
Rubies and onyxes against that skin of hers.

She was the first person to attack Grim, but she failed in her attempt. He, on the other hand, seemed amused or even pleased. If only all of these encounters could end like this, I would not mind his preferences when it comes to entertainment.

Now, it's just a matter of time before more of them does the same. It's always like this.

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7.
Xeyn.
Platinum or gold? Black diamonds with very sharp edges.
What else to represent the raw power? No. It's not the right word. Nor the best combination. What would fit The Beast Of Steel?
The word of command.
The precision with which he delivers death is oddly soothing.

══════════════

I followed behind that group out of curiosity, hoping for some treasure or at least something worth salvaging.

She stood there, a demon at her side. Vierdra Zau'afin.
She scanned our group, and her gaze landed on Jarven. Dark lips curled viciously.

"YOU...," that was the voice that commanded demons.

Jarven's gaze leveled on the drowess and, as if it was the most natural thing to do, he offered a smile and a finger wave.

"Why yes, it's me. Your head is faring better, I trust?"

I froze. I stood too close to him, and he was the mark.

"You will NAUT speak of that!" She snarled glaring down at Jarven. The demon at her side bared his teeth.

"Oh - whoops," he placed a finger over his lips and winked.

Vierdra spoke words of summoning, and another demon stood on the opposite side of her.

I shifted my weight, bracing myself. I heard the eldritch hum in my veins, and I felt the tingle of it in the tips of my fingers. I balled my hands into fists.

The violence I expected to explode around us never came. The priestess stared at Jarven for a moment longer with narrowed eyes before her attention was pulled elsewhere.

══════════════

Relief.
I didn't become a collateral damage this cycle. Someone else wasn't so lucky.
We happened upon the archer I had seen before in the spider tunnels. He was no match for all of them and the demon cohort trailing behind Ani and Vierdra. He became the prey.

I stood in the back with Jarven, and it wasn't long before Xuneera joined us. The three of us decided to leave the Zau'afins to their prey and return to the City.

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8.
Jarven.
Sapphires and malachites. Ivory.
The devil smiles and beckons closer.

That's when the bane of mages with the idea of a ridiculous spell came to be. I suppose one of Vesche's good properties is that he does inspire creativity.

I float in the pool next to him. The half-breed word hangs between us. A misstep to rectify with a gift. The beads and their design come to mind.

The many face bandit and the water witch.

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9.
The Bandit's Guide to Sshamath continues as we sit in Nau'klar exchanging words. I showed him the stones I had chosen so far, and he approved of them. My work can begin.

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10.
Kiyata.
Jades and Sapphires. Silver.
All curves and violence. Wild and tidal power. She who obliterates everything in her path.

She smiles, her working eye gleans, and it's like I am looking into the eye of a storm.

I'm pulled in before I know it.
It consumes me.

I gave the set of six ivory beads to Jarven, and he seemed pleased.

Hidden: show

══════════════

We rip through the duergar compound.
My limbs tremble from the strain. My eyes never stray far from the siblings.

Later, Xeyn and Ani decide we should face The PIEfiend. Grimm's anticipation shows and the hellfire sparks to life in his hands.
When the monster lays dead at their feet, something happens and the mood shifts. Their heads turn to the portal. It's almost as if they unanimously decided to answer some silent call.
I am so used to Grimm talking about the hell that I have never actually given it any thought. I hesitated before the portal and looked back to Jarven.

"Should be fun...", is the last thing I hear before the feeling of falling overcomes me.

Like a coward I hide under Ani's spell, trailing behind the bulk of our forces. The screeching of blades, the clunk of steel and crackling of magic surround me as tightly as the overwhelming heat.
And yet Xeyn's commanding voice carries with clarity over the turmoil of battle.

The sanctuary that was engulfing Kiyata fails. The Devils smell blood and swarm her like insects. Their deaths are violent. But not even she can match the bigger outsider's sheer strength.
I know something is wrong just by looking at the way she is holding that halberd; her left arm is dragging low.
My field of vision narrows, all I see is her. I break into a sprint.

Her knees hit the dusty ground a moment before I reach her.
Xeyn's name is on my lips, but the sound dies before it's released. My chest hitches when I see the emptiness in Kiyata's lone eye.

The eldritch screams in my veins.

I can't move her; she's too heavy. I tear down the pieces of her armor, and my fingers bleed through the gloves. This is when I remember the vials tucked into my belt. I down one and drag the lifeless body behind me.
Nothing else exists. Pain and strain. Heat. Kiyata's head hits against the rocks I drag her through, and I think I can't take it any longer, my body begs me to let go.

Xeyn's by my side before I even register it. His eyes are those of the fury. A greater fear grabs me by the throat.

"You will bring her with you, if you don't have her once we're through here, I'll remove your head from your shoulders," he snarls.

Kill or be killed.

"I have her," my voice is but a whisper, and he turns away to jog back to the front.

"Well lass, ye' heard him. He will kill ye' if ye' drop her in magma!" Grimm cackles somewhere to my left.

I drag the lifeless husk behind me, and into the cave Rlyd indicated. There we find a moment of reprieve as we patch out wounds. I am too exhausted to notice who pulls out a scroll and recites it over the dead drowess.
I squeeze my eyes shut.

She's here. She's breathing.

"Welcome back tin-can," Grimm bellows and slaps some wet rags on Kiyata, to patch up some of the remaining wounds. "Now ye' nae' only black, ye' also smell of ash!," he laughs.

Xeyn glares at him in a silent response.

"What? I said welcome back! In hell, 'ats a compliment!" Grimm laughs.

Xeyn waves the duergar away and turns to me. I shrink just a bit, but he dips his head an inch.
"Jabbress Maeve, thank you for bringing her."

I manage to nod back to him, still unable to speak.

Kiyata's lone eye moves to me, and she looks me up and down a few times while rolling her shoulders.
"You carried me?"

"Dragged would be more precise."

"Hah... I figured," she chuckles.

"She even managed to avoid some of the rocks and fire," Jarven adds nodding sagely.

"It's appreciated though," Kiyata extends her arm, hand open.

I accept the gesture, and she holds mine tightly before dipping her head lightly.

Rlyd tells us it's to move and the fighting resumes. We make a deal with some devil so we can reach a shortcut, I don't pay much attention to that, too busy keeping away from the monsters. We reach some trading outpost, and it feels misplaced amidst the chaos and bloodshed. Grim's eyes shine with wild delight at the sight of the wares, and soon they all crowd the merchant. I sit down on one of the stone benches and try to force my mind to function. This is when I lose the sight of Jarven and when we are all ready to leave he is nowhere to be seen, but we can't wait any longer.

══════════════

I dive into the Darkwoods waters trying to rid myself of this cycle.

Bandit, I hope you rolled your dice well.

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MasterSilke · Unread post by **MasterSilke** » Tue Aug 08, 2017 2:41 pm

11.
The Golden Snake wrapped around my throat.

I stumble upon Grimm with Bandit at his side not far from the portals. Relief. I want to know how did he manage to get out on his own. But the flash of black and gold stops me. Vesche.
The words of the exchange between him and Grimm finally reach me.
It can only end one way. And better to have it done in the open than having to face him somewhere in the tunnels.

I thought I knew what to expect.

Vesche looks to Jarven, and his voice carries an order.
"Teach him a lesson."

I stare at Bandit in mild confusion as he nods and strolls over to the bar where Grimm was already busy ordering himself a drink.

Vesche is the one who holds Bandit's leash.

I blink slowly not daring to look away from Grimm.
Jarven's blade flashes and he drives it into Grimm's hand. I want to unleash the eldritch storm. I bite my tongue and blood fills my mouth. The duergar doesn't react at first, with his free hand he reaches for his ale.

"You see, that fellow back there - the one you...," Jarven blinks seeing the gray dwarf downing some ale.

"WHAT THE BLOODY HELLSPAWN AT YE DOIN' YE' NAE'GOOD DUBBLECROSSIN' RAT-BREEDIN' HATE-CRIME-WAITIN-TA-HAPPEN GOOSE!" Grimm bellows, his words spilling out of him with a rattle.

It hits me like a wave, but I stand still. In the corner of my eyes, I notice Vesche looking at me expectantly.

I've been here before.

"THAT, IS, ME HAND!. I NEED THAT TA SMACK DA SHI.TE OUT OF YE WITH!" Duergar continues to yell.

"Ah! Well you see, you should have thought about that before all those insults you made earlier," Bandits' voice is a light and casual as ever. Just like it was at the Kiss' baths.

Vesche's next words are just another order.
"Take his pinky finger."

But Grimm doesn't wait, takes another swing and then smashes his hand down onto the dagger, cutting off his finger. The middle one. He picks it up and tosses it in Vesche's direction, but the finger misses its target and lands under one of the chairs.

This is where the Conjurer's patience finally wears off, and he decides it is time to do his dirty work by himself. The first spell fails, rebuked by Grimm's natural hardiness against such, but the magical fire throws him against the bar and burns his body. Essentially it takes Vesche three spells to bring the gray dwarf to his knees.

"I had hoped to leave him alive for a lesson so that he eventually would learn it," The Golden Snake jabs the end of the staff into the duergar's chest, in a painful manner.
"Not sure he ever would. Will you?" his eyes fall to Grimm's dumbfounded expression.
And when no response comes he raises the staff and hits the end into the duergar's chest again.
"Speak when you are addressed."

"Yer.... mum....," is all Grimm manages to utter.

That only prompts Vesche to move his foot to duergar's throat, applying pressure to it, slowly suffocating him.

I know I can't move that I shouldn't move. If I do, I will share my guardian's fate. Jarven looks to me, and it takes everything I have to not return his gaze. I can feel my face turning into a numb, impassive mask.

Live or die. Wait. Time will come.
Think of the dark waters. Think.

Grimm doesn't submit, and Vesche squashes his throat. Duergar's leg twitches for a moment then he goes still, a puddle of urine forming underneath. Vesche cleans his boot against the tiles and looks to me.
"I assume you will want to tend to your... friend, Maeve?"

I regard him coolly for a moment, swallowing my words.

Don't give him a reason. Give him all the reason.

I look away from those cold eyes and pick up the severed finger before I leave. I break into a sprint as soon as the doors of Nau'klar close behind me.

The Golden Snake wrapped around my throat tightens its grip.

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Quite a mouth on that duergar - and entertaining to boot. He’s even thoughtful enough to throw out insults of my mother, and gods know she deserves them. Yet it seems Vesche is not as amused by the fellow’s antics as I am. A pity.

He offered them a most cordial invitation to the Nau’klar, and it was highly apparent what his intentions were. Yet they agreed - the both of them. An unexpected turn to be sure, one that I was curious to see played out.

“Teach him a lesson,” he says to me the moment we step inside the Nau’klar. Now, as much as I enjoy a fun game, I prefer it to be on my terms. And so I played my hand to make it so - a few tricks here and there for all to be amused. Or at least that was the plan. Funny how things rarely ever go as planned, and improvisation takes its mantle. Was it risky? Most definitely. Arguably not even remotely worth the cost, but something in me was telling me that it was. And I’m not one to shun aside intuition.

“Play along and place your hand on the counter,” I mutter to the crass fellow in between a little small talk about his poison of choice. “Should be good fun.”

And a good sport he was. The very moment after he thumped his stumpy hand down upon the bar, I drew a dagger and slammed it just between his fingers - quite impressive, really. But I suppose it is me. More shouts and insults flew from the duergar’s mouth as I casually played my role in the game, though I imagine that’s to be expected.

“Take his pinky finger.”

Well I daresay there aren’t many effective sleight of hand tricks for removing a pinky. So it seemed the game would just have to take another course. Yet before I made a move, the stout fellow slammed his hand into the dagger as it stood pierced atop the counter. Cut off his own middle finger, he did. A damned audacious move, and I will give some credit where it’s due.

But then Vesche grew tired of the game, sending an array of magic at the duergar. Now, I’m not one to just stand about where spells are flying around all willy-nilly. So I rolled out of the way - and watched.

Oddly enough, much of my attention was actually on the young Maeve. Her composure was most stoic as she silently observed the scene. Though I’m no fool - except when I wish to be. I knew there was a rage burning inside her. I could see it in those spirited red eyes of hers. Yet she never said a word - only taking the severed finger of her associate after his death at the hands of the Conjurer and walking out of the Nau’klar.

I suspect that this matter has not been resolved.

MedalOfValor · Unread post by **MedalOfValor** » Tue Aug 15, 2017 2:57 pm

12.
All that coin we came with and have gathered since belongs to the snarky, spider priestess now. I grit my teeth. The recap I give Grimm is short. We do not dwell on it. I see The Golden Snake every time I close my eyes. I hear him in my thoughts.
There are Kro's tunnels to patrol.

We meet Xeyn, Alasarn and the mute one. I fix my gaze on Xeyn's frame and let the word of command take over my thoughts.

The Golden Snake around my throat slowly relents.

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13.
I spoke shortly with Alasarn about a few matters at hand. We share a similar view where certain problems are concerned. I hear Ani's and Jarven's voices coming from the front of the Inn. He is talking casually to already pretty drunk Grimm.

He's asking for death.

Think of the water that can swallow you whole. It will carry you. It will contain you.

Think of the water.

I approach the trio keeping my focus on Grimm. I know it's time to lead him home and straight to bed. Bandit looks to me as if nothing ever happened, smiling.

The eldritch claws at my insides.

I gently lead Grimm towards the exit, steering him clear from any of the local patrons. I turn at the last moment, and I stand in front of Jarven before I know it. My hand flies, and it is like I'm watching myself from the side.

I slap him hard and swift.

Before anyone can react or say anything, I leave the damn tavern to guide a drunk dwarf home. My palm stings. I want to scream.

Lie by omission is still a lie, Bandit.

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14.
Disappointment. Hurt. Rage.
Eldritch comes off me in a wave that hits the water rising clouds of steam. It coats his frame; I can barely see the liquid gold of his eyes.
I'm fury and fear at once. I force my hands underwater; I know what they can do if I lose control. I listen to him.

I want to burn him to ash.

I want him to not be Vesche's pet. I wished he had told me. I wish he had never been there in the first place. Can I believe a word Bandit says? I want to. I am afraid to. I must not. This is foolish.

Do not look at me.

He sits on the stones, unsuspecting. I pull him into the water with no warning.

The devil smiles again.

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A fiery spirit in that one and a surprisingly good arm. Stung something fierce, even more than the rod. I suppose there’s merit in that little saying after all - “It’s all in the wrist.”

Did I deserve her ire? Probably. Maybe even more. Still, I can’t be seen losing face. That wouldn’t do at all. So I decided to bring some clarification to this ‘misunderstanding’.

Did I have to speak the truth to her? No. I could have spun countless lies - dulcet deceptions that would ring sweetly in her ears simply because she wanted to hear them. But yet again I found myself going against my better judgment and offered no falsehoods. I’m not exactly sure why I chose to do what I did.

That concerns me.

It was quite the precarious situation. All the while it appeared as if she was on the verge not to strike me with her hand, but with her magic - that raw power. I danced with finesse and ultimately found myself pulled into the pool.

All things considered, I believe it went quite swimmingly.

MedalOfValor · Unread post by **MedalOfValor** » Fri Aug 25, 2017 7:43 pm

15.
The rage forced my hand, and I pulled The Golden Snake's tail. Only to be reminded I won't find any work in Sshamath if I don't reconsider my allegiances or that I should take a better care of my soul. Careless witch.

The Golden Snake has me in a choke hold.

Why does Grimm have to make everything so hard? Ryld hired him for his school to keep slaves in check and to piss Vesche's way as often as possible. I turned from my conversation with Liyra to ask Rlyd if he is going to cover the costs of multiple resurrections, but I didn't get an answer.

Liyra
Pearls and topazes. Gentle forms and silver.
She's the first of her kind I've ever encountered.

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16.
Grimm's and Xeyn's banter makes me hopeful. Perhaps we won't make but enemies in this city. The Dyrr siblings seem to tolerate the dwarf well enough, despite his foul mouth.

I stumbled upon Vesche at the market. I watched him from a safe enough distance, waiting my turn to speak to the merchant.

A canary diamond indeed.

He may keep me in a choke hold of fear, but he remains a work of art regardless. To make something that would complement it, or even bring it out more would be a challenge.

Grimm joins us a moment after The Golden Snake leaves and loses it on Jarven. My blood boils again. My temper flairs. My guardian. My friend. My family. And he drives me mad. The insects rise from me, and Jarven needs to dispell me before I get us all in trouble. I think of the water. I want to submerge. We dive into the depths of the waters surrounding Darkwoods.

I will show you the world of wonder.

The devil smiles and holds me close.

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17.
Kaylee
I've never seen anyone kill the way she did it. I talk my way out of this. I think of Kiyata. She is all I think about facing this surfacer.
I hear Xeyn's order in my head. I need to think. I need to be clever. I trade information.

Information for her life. For mine.

When she looks at me, the relief floods my mind. She's all hunger and pent up the tension. I wonder which of the Zau'afin men will fall prey to her needs. I look at the glowing mushrooms. Bandit promises me a dive there.

I take Kiyata to the Kiss' baths. I order enough food to feed two grown warriors. She brings enough liquor to drown a small task force in it. This is where it actually started, the tradition. The feast by the pool, the games. I sing when they wrestle. That song I had in my head since the dive.

You're dislocated, don't be like that
And you smile when you dive in like you're never coming back
So hold my body, yeah, hold my breath
See your face when I black out, I'm never coming back

Fear of the water, fear of the water

We play the dice game later. Questions.
I look at her and the feeling I had when we went to Hell intensifies.

There is no denying it.

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(((OOC Credits:
Soundtrack & Lyrics: SYML

MedalOfValor · Unread post by **MedalOfValor** » Fri Sep 08, 2017 8:18 pm

18.
Liyra accepted the invitation to the baths. Jarven and I introduced her to some of the local cuisine options and answered various questions about Underdark. Her more personal inquiry cornered me. Sharessans and their lack of boundaries. Bandit amused gaze and light tone was adding to my discomfort.

I didn't commit? Was he serious with this? It was him who admitted to getting bored easily. It was him who whether he liked or not took part in what happened in Nau'klar. And the question was never stated.

When she left us the silence was brief before he broke it. I listened, again. I wondered for a while, even before the admission, if this was just a symptom of his boredom. Was I? Am I? Questions, so many of them popping in my head.
The devil pulled me closer.

Dive with me, Bandit.
Into the world of wonder.

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19.
I knew what I wanted the halberd's shaft to look like since the excursion to Hell. I have finally managed to gather all the necessary parts, and it was time to finish the gift. When the anchor was attached to the bar, and the grip was added, I started decorating this picture of violence with jades captured in silver cobwebs spreading across the weapon's length.

I named it The Jade Bane.

Hidden: show

I knew it would fit her. It reflected all that Kiyata is.

The dangerous curves, raw power, and beauty.

I showed it to Xeyn first, and even with his helmet still on I could tell he did not expect to see anything like that. The warrior made me promise I wouldn't show it to his sister without him present. I waited. I carried it across my back, cumbersome and inconvenient.

The search for certain scrolls took me to the market, but it was unsuccessful. Bandit suggested the schools, but we had little luck there. I will have to figure out a different way to obtain them.

Later that cycle Xeyn found me at the market. We were both full of anticipation, and the waiting seemed to be making us anxious. When Kiyata finally showed I couldn't contain myself any longer. In that one moment, when she looked at the weapon in her hand, I knew it was all worth it. It was more than that even.

I was pride. I was eagerness. She was bloodthirst.

We went hunting, all of us. And a glorious hunt it was.

⋘⋘⋘ ◇ ⋙⋙⋙

She’s been dancing on the edge for some time, and I suppose I can’t really fault her. I find myself enjoying such more than occasionally. And while it’s all good fun for a time, there comes the point where the game must either be abandoned or taken to higher stakes. Naturally, I tend to prefer the latter.

She had an odd hesitation - a fear of some sort perhaps? I admit that it baffled me somewhat, something that doesn’t happen all too often. Her upbringing was certainly unorthodox even compared to mine, but I often wonder what exactly it was like. How did that perspective form itself into what it is - something so foreign?

Regardless, it wasn’t something that would be understood in a single cycle, so I stuck to the present. I plainly revealed to two real choices in front of her and then gave a subtle push. Sometimes that’s all that’s needed to make one final leap from a precipice.

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(((OOC Credits:
Content: MedalOfValor & MasterSilke
Big thanks to: Moltrazahn, for patience in teaching me how to connect lines on paper >_>

MasterSilke · Unread post by **MasterSilke** » Mon Sep 18, 2017 8:37 pm

20.
Now I understand why they call him the Conjurer. Shrouded in spells and with the cohort trailing along, Vesche looked even more like The Golden Snake he is.
I hate Imps. And of course, he has one.

The Dyrr siblings decided that the next target for the hunt will be the Ilithid Hive. They must have gotten bored with culling the population of rowdy duergars and thought that keeping tentacle count low is going to be more of an entertainment.

Sleek, moist and full of odd equipment tunnels ridden with various creatures. That suckling sound made my skin crawl.
It took hours to reach the deeper sections of the hive.
Everything was damp. My hair. My skin. My leathers.

When they had their fill, we were finally ready to return. I couldn't wait to wash the stench and filth of this place from my gear and body.

⋘⋘⋘ ◇ ⋙⋙⋙

21.
A second crack.

Art.

Was he serious?
I will show him how much art is in this. I was, still am, a canvas marred with it. I bit at the insides of my cheek till I could feel blood filling my mouth.

Think of the water.

I retreated and hid behind a quick apology. There was no point in arguing with him without telling what I did not want to divulge.
Bandit's condescending comments stayed with me for much longer than I expected.

Not even the dark waters could take the anger away.

⋘⋘⋘ ◇ ⋙⋙⋙

22.
Wirg and Pug.
Crystals. Lots of them, strung on leather straps in dark blue hues.

An orc turn dragon with a dragon in tow.
Siblings fight in perfect sync.

⋘⋘⋘ ◇ ⋙⋙⋙

Baffling as always, this girl. Since when does a common practice and art give offense? Were I marred by a swordsman or an arcanist, would it no longer be proper to call swordplay or magic an art?

Absurd.

Creativity, diligence, discipline, precision, technical expertise - all must be exercised to practice it well.
Torture - most certainly an art, my dear. And I take great pride in it.

Perhaps she ought to start practicing it herself. Expand her experiences and understanding. Based on what she’s endured, I imagine she would have highly creative ideas.

⋘⋘⋘ ◇ ⋙⋙⋙

(((OOC Credits:
Content: MedalOfValor & MasterSilke

MedalOfValor · Unread post by **MedalOfValor** » Sat Nov 11, 2017 6:38 pm

23.
This is the first time we drag Xeyn to the Kiss. The Beast of Steel does have a face under that helmet. And a sense of humor.
They are so alike.

Menzoberranzan blue. I hate it. I love it. I choke on it. They laugh at me.
We drink. We eat. We laugh.

I watch them.

Sev'ltas shows up out of nowhere emerging from the clouds of ->steam<-. The last person I ever expected to see here, and yet he fits in. Oddly enough.
The scars on his cheek and chest. The tale of the fight.

Solidity.

Kiyata's warmth against me. All is softness.

Protectiveness.
Possessiveness.
Mixed.
Sokoya.

I'm lost. I'm not sure I want to be found. We play the game of questions again.
My thoughts scatter, and some of them find their way to Vesche.
Right at this moment, with Kiyata's hand raking through my hair, with Xeyn grinning at me and Jarven sitting by my side I feel safe even from The Golden Snake.

After, we end up at my and Grimm's place. My thoughts are restless. Anxiety is building up. The Zau'afin Nightcrawler has slipped into reverie mere few inches away from me. Bandit is even closer.

I try to think of the water.

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24.
That tattoo on my head.
There is a no world before and after. It's always been there. Ani's words push me into the open arms of fear. I try not to think. I try to be polite in my refusal.
I don't want her hands or spells anywhere near me.

⋘⋘⋘ ◇ ⋙⋙⋙

25.
The Tower.
The Bandit's Guide to Sshamath continues.

We played the guessing game, and I won.
Jarven claims this place is as safe as it gets and it's warded even against conjuring. A place where Vesche can't be Vesche. A place where I could bring Grimm if we needed help.

I didn't expect what came next.
I looked at him incredulously. Where was this coming from? Why was he so impatient?
Why did asking for time made him so irritated and disappointed?
I was fighting the urge to run at first, but then my emotions started mirroring his. The anger came. We went our separate ways to hunt only to meet at the same place later.

Why is it always all or nothing with you, Bandit?

It unsettles me.
I could already tell then that I was giving in, even as the words were passing between us while we sat on the floor.
I can't say no to you. Nor can I say no to her for that matter.

You told me we were back at one on the scale. But were we really? Suffice to say, I was oscillating around six. Not that you would know.

The silly little Witch.

⋘⋘⋘ ◇ ⋙⋙⋙

MedalOfValor · Unread post by **MedalOfValor** » Mon Nov 20, 2017 2:47 am

26.
Sev commissioned a necklace. I knew it even then that this project would swallow more of my time and resources than any other. I needed to work on my cuts. This diamond could not shy away from perfect. For a brief moment, I forgot these two, Ani and Sev, are Zau'afin as I babbled about stones, cuts, and tools. Give the Witch a gem, and she won't shut up.

The invitation to dinner, casually thrown over drinks, sends me into a tailspin.

Witch is inedible.

⋘⋘⋘ ◇ ⋙⋙⋙

27.
Her long limbs, strength, sheer size, and a trap made out of a blanket lock me in place. Kiyata is like a living furnace, always warm, burning from the inside. I should feel confined, but I don't.

The all-consuming, commanding and controlling Kiyata Effect.
It pushes me into a soothing tranquility.

They tell you never to submit. Submission is the sign of weakness, of failure. Never allow the other to take advantage of you, never let them come close enough.
And yet when her fingers encircle my ear and scrape against my cheek, just before she drifts off into the reverie, I feel strongest and calmer than ever.

If she killed me here and now, would I even care?

She suggested I should talk with Sev, perhaps trade the necklace for lessons. She promised she would go with me.

⋘⋘⋘ ◇ ⋙⋙⋙

28.
The Tower.
This place has become more than just an intimidating, strange building, and a Bandit's dwelling. The feeling of being an intruder has dulled considerably. No longer do I feel confined to Jarven's quarters, but I walk almost freely, making use of the available facilities.

We play hide-and-seek in the Temple, and he wins.

You trade in shadows the way I trade in gems, Bandit.

⋘⋘⋘ ◇ ⋙⋙⋙

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