RP:A Parting Promise

From HollowWiki

Summary: Lanara is working in her office at the animal sanctuary when Krice unexpectedly drops in for some conversation. The warrior had recently been told about Lana’s fate, from his betrothed, Talyara. In an effort to protect the heart of the woman he loves, Krice offers to take the curse from his future sister inlaw, thus making him ride out the plague while saving her life. However, curses of this variety aren’t easily cleansed, and this particular one can only be transferred to someone of Kelvarian blood. Although she is touched by this noble gesture, the witch politely declines, before asking the warrior for a parting promise.


Part of the Lunar Tides and Silver Linings Arc




Lanara can be found in her office, to the rear of the spacious facility, sitting at her desk and feverishly jotting down some notes. Several pieces of parchment are scattered about the area, and she only seems to pause to dip her quill into the inkwell. She wears a pair of blue cotton pants with lots of pockets, a loose matching shirt, and a pair of white slip-on shoes, making her attire both practical for the duties of an animal caretaker as well as comfortable enough to get through the day. Despite the fact that her true form is riddled with plague, she appears to be healthy, though there are slight circles beneath her eyes that point to several sleepless nights. “Almost done, Aspen! Then we can go and grab some lunch!” The witch smirks as she casts a glance at the polar bear cub that keeps bumping his forehead against her side, trying to gain her attention and remind her that she’s been at this for several hours already and he is hungry! Lana shakes her head, “Stop that, little guy! I have to make all of these lists so Venin knows what to do for the sanctuary’s annual barbecue! I can’t have Aunt Taly do it this year because she has a wedding to plan, and I won’t be here…” The grin fades quickly as the casual reminder of her imminent death creeps into the conversation. “So… I have to make sure everything runs smoothly and Venin is sure to carry out these tasks to perfection.” The cub stops being a nuisance, as though he can sense the sadness in the woman’s voice, and he returns to playing with his block toys.


Krice was boring in the arena of fashion, arriving to the Sanctuary dressed in his customary black button-down, slacks, katana strapped to his back, and the well-worn durable boots that somehow did not contribute any noise to his naturally light steps. He paused at the door in time to hear Lanara's mention of Talyara's 'wedding', holding his silence through the remainder of her words directed at the cub by her feet. While it resumed playing with toy blocks, the warrior regarded the woman at the desk with a relatively neutral expression, somewhat guarded; at a glance, one could explain it as 'typical old Krice'. " Hey."


Lanara presses a final dot to the parchment, ending a sentence, and she looks up to see none other than the silver haired enigma standing in the doorway of her office. Instinctively, chocolate hues trails to see beyond the male, as though she assumes Talyara is here, as well. Even Aspen pauses in his playing and studies Krice, curiosity in his eyes. “Well… This is an unexpected surprise! What can I do for you Krice?” Knowing the warrior isn’t one to make casual social calls, Lana pulls her papers into a neat pile and motions for him to take a seat on the opposite side of her desk.


Krice took note of the cub's interest only peripherally, as his main focus was Lanara. In response to her invitation to sit, he stepped forward but halted behind the chair, preferring to stand. Responding to her question, he said, " I came to see how you're doing. Talyara told me about the..." Well, about her sister's illness.


Lanara flinches at Krice’s words, as he had struck a chord, and the strength she hoped to maintain seems to shatter in a single glance. At the sanctuary she could go through the motions, keep up the facade of a happy and healthy elf. But, around those she knows well, or that know of her truth, she seems to clam up. “I-I didn’t think she would tell you… Until it’s over.” Of course her little sister would tell her betrothed that his future sister-in-law is on the brink of death. It still doesn’t explain why he’s -here- so she nips her lower lip and the scared look in her moist eyes locks on his crimson gaze, “I already planned my funeral arrangements with Joan, so Taly won’t have to worry about that stuff.”


Krice 's expression softened when he saw the fear in Lanara's eyes--he wasn't a heartless bastard--and he kept his voice low, deferring to the nature of their conversation. Even if Talyara hadn't told him, he'd have known it instantly; she was a witch finely attuned to her own emotions, and he was attuned to her. Funeral arrangements or not, he opted to keep her focused on the logistics of her illness, rather than the loss that would result from it. " It's some kind of curse?"


Lanara considered Krice to be a friend when she had first come to the lands, as he often was in the company of the sisters and rescued each of them a few times. She even had a blink and you’ll miss it crush on the man! However, as time went on and Lana’s personality shifted into something less predictable and a tad darker, their tie seemed to come undone. Years had passed by, and although the two hardly know each other on any level of closeness, Lana knows that Krice can be trusted. “Yes… It was a curse that had been cast in blood magic. My daughter, Natianara, she is the one that made this mess back in Kelvar. I went to purify the lands of what I originally thought was a plague, but it’s so much more than a sickness of the body. It feeds off of my soul.” Inhaling, she continues, “I cannot transfer or break the curse. In taking it upon myself, I was able to cleanse the rest of my kin in Kelvar, but it was a last resort with zero options of survival. Aside from vampirism… And, I’m not sure about lycanthropy? My empathic abilities may reject the change and I don’t want to put that pressure on Tiber.”


Krice nodded once or twice, acknowledging Lanara's reply and recognizing it to be the same story as told by her sister. This witch stated that the curse could not be transferred but then seemed to theorize that maybe vampirism or lycanthropy would be her way out. A curse onto a curse. After a moment to consider his words, the warrior suggested, hesitantly, " What about transferring it to me?" Before she could refuse him, in case she thought him a regular human, the warrior added, " My body accepts curses but they don't take hold." If she could transfer it to him, he could live out the sickness and recover.


Lanara tucks an errant strand of hair behind her tapered ear, blowing out a sigh after she finishes her long winded response. However, it’s the reply from Krice that has her lips parting in awe, and her eyes widening, as she stares at him, utterly dumbfounded. He would be willing to possibly risk his life and accept the curse?! Aspen drops his block and continues to ogle Krice, wondering what the adults were discussing that has his mistress’ emotions all over the place, like a game of ping pong. “You’re very noble to offer that to me, Krice… I know how much you love my sister and I’m so happy that she’s marrying you and that you two have found your happily ever after.” She can feel a painful twist in her heart as she continues, “But… I must decline. The curse isn’t an ordinary curse that I can just transfer to you… You would have to be of Kelvarian blood. That’s why Natianara cast it in Kelvar, she hoped to rid the realm of all of our kind. Taly also offered, she said I could resurrect her, but if something went wrong I would never forgive myself.” Swallowing hard as a single tear trickles onto her cheek, Lana feigns a small smile, “Thank you for trying, Krice. But, this is my mess to clean up… There is one way that you could help though, after I’m gone.”


Krice waited quietly and patiently in the time it took Lanara to comprehend his offer, from her awe-filled gaze to her eventual decline of that offer. He did love her sister, more than he had ever loved anyone else, more than he ever -could- beyond her, and it was the last thing he wanted - for either sister to suffer and be heartbroken as a result of Lanara's illness. His gaze drifted off the witch's face to the table between them, before her suggestion of him helping in another way drew his focus once more. Granted, 'after she was gone' was hardly helping -her-, but... " Name it."


Lanara lowers her hand to gently run her fingers through Aspen’s stark white strands, pleased that the cub is being so obedient, as he is prone to tantrums when hungry or ignored. As Krice glances at the desk, the witch can sense that he is upset by her refusal to even try to transfer the curse, but he lifts his gaze and seems to genuinely want to carry out a request beyond the grave. “Promise me that you will look after Taly… And that you will make each high holiday special for her, as she loves celebrating with friends and family. Keep that tradition alive! Even if you don’t practice or believe in our craft, please, just be present with her on those special days? And… If it’s not too much to ask, could you please check in on Tiber? I know you guys aren’t close, but maybe every few weeks? If he starts drinking again, maybe you can nudge him towards getting help. Invite him to dinner once in a while at the cottage? Maybe you can just help him not to feel so alone?” Lana searches Krice’s face for an answer once she’s done talking, a hopeful look in her dark eyes.


Krice 's expression softened at Lanara's initial request. She didn't even need to ask him for anything when it came to Talyara; caring for her, looking after her, loving her. It was a no-brainer, goes-without-saying for the warrior. When she asked for him to check on Tiber, whom he'd only meet a handful of times, the silver-haired man seemed a bit hesitant. " Uh... I don't really know him." A moment later, he added wryly, " Taly's more social than I am." His fault, entirely; he was not a people person. " But yeah - if I see him around."


Lanara smiles through her tears at Krice’s reaction to befriending Tiber, as the Catalian is a lone wolf also, so it would be equally awkward for both males. “That is good enough, and I’m sure Taly will make sure to check on him, too. Thank you, Krice… I know I won’t be around for the wedding, but I just wanted to say that I am and would be happy to call you my brother in-law.” Rising to her feet, Lana gently nudges Aspen with the toe of her shoe, “I have to get him some lunch, but thank you for stopping by, and I know you will keep that promise.” Hesitantly, if the stoic warrior will allow it, the witch will give him a parting hug. It very well could be the last time they see each other.


Krice averted his eyes. 'Wedding'. It hadn't been called that when he and Talyara spoke of it, but he figured it was essentially the same thing; a union of two people, done in an 'official' capacity. He would be there for Talyara to the end of her days regardless of their status in the social fabric of life. When Lanara rose, he seemed ready to depart to let her feed the cub, but her approach caused him to hesitate. Having never liked affection even from friends, the warrior was reluctant to reciprocate Lanara's embrace, but he did not refuse her. It was the first kind of contact he had received outside of Talyara, so he stiffened a little in natural aversion. Once she withdrew, she'd be met with an understanding expression as he turned away to depart. The warrior hesitated long enough to speak, with conviction, " It's easy to care for Talyara. It's a promise that needn't even be said." She could trust him to keep it long into the future. Pivoting, the warrior concluded their interaction to depart the office, soundless and unhurried on his way out.