RP:A Taste of Victory

Summary: After thwarting Gevurah's plans to assassinate her and defeating her in the Red Skull Arena, Quintessa and Kasyr get a room together at the Dragon's Head Inn to discuss what happened.

Pearl and Mithril Room

his room's tone is one of mithril and pearl. The whitened walls glow with iridescent colors that ripple and shift under the flickering light of a hundred silver hued candles. Resting in long tapers of sterling and delicate glasswares of crystal, their glow is magical in nature, as no heat or damning embers escape. Diaphanous swaths of the lightest silk drape down from a thin, silver canopy, secluding the luxurious bed from the rest of the room. The scent of roses and wild flowers wafts gently from the center and an assortment of petals litter the frosted rug beside it.

Kasyr , not for the first time that evening, finds his fingers patting around in search of a spare cigarette. Given his general reluctance to sleep, they've been ertswhile companions in his quest to induce Insomnia for as long as he can- but it seems he's finally exhausted his stock. This also means there's nothing really there to cover up the scent of flowers that invades his senses the moment he pushes into the room- his expression turning quizzical. "Not what I was expecting, enfin. Not a bad bit of excess, though." A little wierd, all the same, especially given there's a bear wrestling arena not even a few rooms away. "Sorry for getting wrapped up in... " He offhandedly waves his hand to the side, leaving it unclear just what if his recent ventures he's referring to.

Quintessa follows closely behind Kasyr, mismatched eyes glancing back down the halls in case they were being followed. If the changeling wasn't already paranoid before the Red Skull event, she certainly was now. "Don't fret about it," the short haired woman says as she enters the room, her silver tin of clove cigarettes already producing two for the pair to smoke. "I'm sure you have a lot on your mind, considering you almost had your death wish fulfilled not too long ago." Her pale fingers twirl a black cigarette before holding it up for Kasry. If he takes it, she snaps her fingers in her typical fashion, her fire cantrip lighting Kasyr's before she lights her own. Quintessa then moves to the bed where she sits down and crosses one leg over the other. "Exercise," she scoffs before taking a long drag of her cigarette. The assassination attempt by the Drow had actually caught her by surprise. The hex blade exhales, letting the smoke drift around her face instead of blowing it away from her. "If not for that new trick I learned, I'd be dead." As much as she hates to admit it, Quintessa knows she'd be easily outmatched by Gevurah if not for the blessing of the insectoid of the Dark Forest. She now owed the Undead God payment for the boon it had given her and she would be doubling her efforts to fulfill her bargain.

Kasyr languidly retrieves the smoke, his eyes tracing the trail of smoke it leaves in it's wake. It's only after a few moments that he follows suit with the changeling, sitting alongside her and taking a quiet drag, " To be honest, I wasn't even thinking on that...experience, much. There's been more pressing concerns, madamoiselle." He makes an offhanded wave, before flicking the cigarette off to the side. Quintessa's mention of a trick does catch his attention, but frankly- beneath the cover of smoke, and without further context, the swordsman thinks little of it, "Well, you certainly did a good job of strategically dismantling her in any case, if the aftermath was any indication." There's a wry smirk there, before he carefully adds, "I wonder if you should be flattered that they snuck a small contingent of soldiers in to say hello. ...I'd like to ask Lanlan about that, et what he was gibbering about in regards to Luffy, en fait."

Quintessa almost crushes her cigarette between her fingers at the mention of Lanlan as a low growl builds up in her throat. "Lanlan..." She cannot help the way her aura flickers harmlessly like black flames from her body. "That traitor... I don't know what he said to you, but whatever it was is likely just a lie. You think those useless dark elves have the power to restore Luffy? Even if they could, why would they help us? They have made it obvious they only want to see us dead." Quintessa flicks her ashes on the floor before she lets her cloak slip away from her body. "Ugh! If I ever see Lanlan again I'll cut out his eyes and keep them in a jar by my bed." The changeling certainly wasn't flattered by the recent turn of events.

Kasyr is abysmally tired, which is probably why he considers the following to be a pinnacle of comedic timing, "There was other ways you could have introduced an interest in exhibitionism, you know." He manages to muster up a sufficiently impish smirk before he finally allows gravity to take hold of him, flopping out onto the mattress, "I wouldn't say I trust him, either. But he knew things he had little business in doing so, enfin. Et whilst he certainly carries a fair share of animosity for us. Well." it wasn't concern, really, it was more like, "His respect, or..-interest- in Luffy seems genuine enough. Which es maybe a bit worrisome in itself, but I'd still put that as more reliable than fondness in a Drow." He shuffles momentarily, trapping the smoke between his lips so he can slide first one arm, and then the other from his coat, effectively liberating himself so he can start the process of gradually nudging it off the bed and into a heaped pile, "Et, self interest es likely the only reason they'd help us. Which would mean either a reasonable dialogue, or simply making things so unpleasant that continued opposition es not tenable."

Quintessa's mismatched eyes flicker over to Kasyr and linger there in silence before her mouth cracks in a smile and she laughs at his joke. "I can always count on you to lighten the mood, au moins." she responds, mimicking what she can from his strange language. The black cigarette is placed between her lips as she begins to unlace her spike-heeled boots, inhaling and exhaling small puffs of smoke as she does so. "But self interest? That doesn't make any sense. If Luffy comes back she'll eat Lanlan before I can cut my trophy from him, how is that self interest?" The changeling slides a boot off and it hits the wooden floor with a clang before she starts on the next. "Either way, I've got my hands too full back home dealing House Nasar's assassination attempts to go asking for more by getting mixed up with the Drow. Look what they did to my hair!" Quintessa pauses in unlacing her boot to look over at Kasyr, her lithe fingers brushing through her pixie cut. "Can you believe it?"

Kasyr casually flicks some of the ashes from his smoke onto the back of his coat, before he rolls over onto his stomach, and starts to wriggle forward towards the invitation of pillows. Maybe he can artfully manage to catch his boots onto the bed frame on the way forward and shuck them off in a low effort manner on the way. "Oh! Uh. I thought you'd just wanted a change of pace, enfin. I still think it looks cute, though." He blinks slowly, only to remember to ask, "Wait, Nasar. Was there some sort of provocation first, or?" Whilst he does pause long enough to hear a reply, he still does feel the need to clarify, "As for self-interest, I meant for how to curtail repeated assassination attempts while two divine entities erode at the fabric of the world. ...Lanlan just seems fond of Luffy, et I hope it does figuratively and literally come to bite him later." Luffy breaking the Kensai's arm is likely part of said fondness, if he had to take a wild guess.

Quintessa manages to kick her boot off, sending it tumbling across the floor before she falls back on the bed, mismatched eyes staring at the ceiling. The hex blade listens to Kasyr talk, smoking her cigarette until she sizes a moment to speak. "They. Set. Me. On. Fire." She punctuates each word for emphasis before rolling over to gaze at the kensai, her chin resting on the palm of her hand. "Of course I didn't provoke them! I was going to wait for your advice before I did anything, but House Nasar sent a welcoming party to intercept me on my way home from the pub." She growls again, "To send their regards," she mocks, pulling the cigarette from her mouth to flick it again, "Dragon blood and alchemical fire is what they sent, the fools. They started this but I aim to finish it."

Kasyr get's an almost quizzical look at the mention of Dragon's Blood, before recollection of her gambit tumbles through his brain, "It wouldn't necessarily hing on -you- provoking. You, er, inherited, "He's airquoting, but in a really lazy way, since he doesn't even bother to really lift up his arms, "a house, as well as all the animosity Larewen had been cultivating during her time, es more what I meant." He takes in a long drag from the cigarette, only to lazily grab one of the flower petals scattered about so he can use it to snuff the cherry of his smoke, "So, how are you planning on returning the favor, en fait?"

Quintessa can't keep herself from fuming at the mention of Larewen. She always tried to remain cordial when speaking of her benefactor, but her time as head of Larewen's house had embittered her. "Of course it's because of Larewen." The changeling crawls next to Kasyr before crushing the cigarette against the headboard and settling in next to him. "Sometimes I wonder if it wouldn't have been better just to let House Dragana rot." She chuckles darkly, "But now, it's House Nasar that will rot." Quintessa reaches out to touch his shirt, her fingers running along his neckline. "I've already gotten started repaying the favor. I hired thieves to target House Nasar. Steal from them, intercept their black market trade routes, whatever they want to disrupt and weaken them with the promise of fencing their stolen goods very generously." The changeling grins, flashing her sharp teeth. "I'll let the fruit ripen before I pluck it from the tree."

Kasyr settles the not quite finished cigarette onto an adjacent dresser, before turning his focus onto Quintessa, so he can begin twining his fingers through her hair, "That's a good start, enfin. Indirect, deniable, et afflicting the very source of their strength." A sort of rueful look flickers across the Kensais features, as he can't help but ask, "Did larewen leave you any other unpleasent surprises to look forward to? I mean, we've both appreciated the wine, but- it would be good to know if there's more assassination attempts due." That line of thinking also happens to remind the Kensai of another avenue he's -supposed- to be pursuing, but which has long been put off because of just about every other calamity occuring, "Et has their been any progress on uh amiable discussions with other houses?"

Quintessa flicks her unfinished cigarette across the room, her grin shifting into gentle smile as the kensai touched her hair. The strange girl sighs. She had longed for his touch ever since he had left her side and was happy to have him back. "Besides the flesh golems that went berserk? No, nothing. Her manor has been silent, her vassals compliant, and her family absent. Not even the witch, Artia, has been heard of since Larewen's disappearance. It's been rather lonely, in fact." Quintessa gives Kasyr a light hearted chuckle, her slender digits reaching up to gently caress his cheek. "Or it would be, if not for that- Oh, what did Ina call her? Murder hobo, Ayras, always bothering me. I swear, that woman has it out for me." The changeling shrugs, "Oh well, I'll deal with her when the times comes. So far she's only good at levying threats and acting spooky, just like me when I was an apprentice. It's amusing. And yes! I spoke with Bradyn Mahara and returned the relations between our two Houses to a neutral state. I explained that my goals were not the same as Larewen's, and while I get the feeling he does not yet trust my intentions, he's agreed to personally help further my education in the Necromancers Guild. I'm working on mastering poisons and potions presently."

Kasyr may be lost on the reference to Ina, but the other name is more than familiar, "If you'd mentioned Ayras first, I'd have been apt to believe them responsible for your hair. They have a penchant for - well a number of unfortunate things. In fact, I do believe any depictions of Satoshi with short hair would have been their fault." The smirk is difficult enough to suppress, but there's something about the way that the changeling describes the vampire that seems to itch at their brain. A sense of something off, that doesn't quite explain itself, "Well, by the sounds of it, they seem -less- murderous than they used to be, if they're content to warn you and play the theatric. They used to have little qualms with violent provocation. Which es probably why defenestrating them became such an appealing option when socializing with him." That sense of something the swordsman can't put his finger on intensifies a little more, but tiredness does little to help him in sorting things out. Nor does the simple feeling of comfort that accompanies Quintessas touch, and makes the prospect of shutting his eyes a little more tempting, despite it all. " The world's probably ending one piece at a time, but, I'm glad I can be back to see you. - Less so aboout possibly getting pulled into all things scholastic or high society related, but- it's good to hear that's working out for you, au Moins." The pillows are eyed for a moment before he rolls over to bury his face into it, only drawing his head up to voice, "What's your plans now?"

Quintessa reaches up to slowly ruffle Kasyr's hair as he buries his face into the pillows and the changeling can sense how tired he is just from the energy his aura puts off. Lack of energy would probably be more accurate. Sharpened fingernails, still dotted with flecks of blood from her bout, scratch gently into the kensai's scalp as she lays her head down next to him, mismatched eyes watching him curiously. What had he been up too since he'd left, she wondered. "No, Ayras isn't responsible for my change in hairstyle, as volatile as she seems. I'm not sure what she's playing at, but if she wants to draw this out into a game of chess I have a few surprises for her in store. She underestimates me, like everyone else. I'm going to start utilizing their lack of judgement against them, like I should have in the very beginning." Quintessa pauses to blow a long piece of her fringe from her face before continuing. "I have soooo much to do, Mon Amour. Even though I am no longer a student, my learning has only just begun. I mentioned my plans with the Necromancer's Guild, but I need to spend more time honing my martial prowess. How did you get so good, Master? I've read all I can about the art. I practice katas and stances every day. I'm in near peak physical condition- but I've plateaued. I need something more to push me to the next level. For a while I thought replacing that beat-up old katana of mine would do the trick but I don't even think that'll help me. I need a challenge. I need to fight someone for real."

Kasyr closes his eyes at the impromptu scalp massage, nestling a bit closer as the worries of the day slowly start to trickle away. To be rid of them entirely was a pipe dream, he knew that, but for just this moment they seemed so much farther away then they really were. It also makes the matter of addressing intricacies a little easier, "I don't think Chess would be accurate with Ayras. They're one of the most impulsive people I've ever known. ..Erratic, j'suppose. Which has it's benefits et downsides. In your case, I'd say it's more of a benefit." When the changeling pauses to huff at a rebellious tuft of hair, the Kensai finally deigns to draw his face up from the pillow long enough to plant a kiss on the bridge of her nose, offering a lazy grin as he sinks back down. The other concerns are at least a bit more immediately addressable. "I think a lot of it es applied practice, et hardship. it's one things to learn things, it's another to use them in a combat situation, adjusting them from theory into.." His eyes squint for a moment, one part concentration, one part exhaustion, " Into experience. Tailoring them so that they finely match the way you move, et learning how to adapt to different kinds of opponents. Honetement, with Karasu busy as she es, I'd suggest looking outside the guild for someone to challenge yourself. There's a handful of adept warriors that tu could punch in the face for practice." The swordsman thoughtfully 'hmms' before adding, "But, we -could- also see about a hunting trip soon. Finding some of the more unpleasant and exotic creatures to fight provides good materials for weapons, -et- the sort of challenge you're seeking out." Just. Just not -now.

Quintessa nods her head slowly, bringing a finger up to her mouth to lightly touch her bottom lip thoughtfully. "Yes, yes, if Ayras isn't thinking things a few moves ahead of me, she's no threat. I can sense within them something raw, something powerful, something useful, but if they are but a leaf on the gale then I will crush them as easily as I crushed Gevurah." Quintessa's confidence comes from one who thinks she knows more than she really does, or was gifted with powers that were unearned. Either way, that confidence melts away at the mere mention of Karasu's name and the changeling shrinks away, slowly moving her arms to hug her body tightly. She missed the feline with all her heart, and not even Kasyr's presence could distract her from the longing in her soul, although a kiss to her nose brings a soft smile to her face. "I think," she begins slowly, choosing her words carefully, "I'm going to challenge Lionel. I know the Butcher of Vailkrin didn't get bested by those wretched dark elves. From what I read he's a fearsome opponent," She chuckles darkly, "But now that he's lost his legendary weapon, a lot of folk are eyeing him up. Even if I lose, an upstart like myself has much to gain from crossing swords with the Steward of Frostmaw." Quintessa wiggles her way closer, her forehead pressing against Kasyr's shoulder. "However, going on a hunt sounds fantastic- There are many rare ingredients for potions that I need that can't be found in stores. This could be the type of exercise I need that furthers both my academic and martial goals. Such an expedition would take some time to plan though."

Kasyr can't help but regret invoking the felines name, a brief pang of discomfort flickering across his features as he observes the aftermath. It makes him grateful, at least, that the matter of business at hand, and potential training, is at least strong enough to ground her back into the present. And he'd be lying if her suggestion didn't provide some degree of humour. That said, the accompanying news does manage to elicit a sort of disappointment from the swordsman, "He lost hellfire? Vraiment? . . . As for throwing yourself at him swords first, it'd certainly be an educational experience. ...Just, don't monologue. His heroic instincts might kick in." The Kensai might be rolling his eyes, but there's a grain of truth in that statement- the swordsman suspecting that a villainous tirade might earn a stab to the lungs. "In any case, That was my thoughts, mostly. Though, now that I think about the planning aspect- we could perhaps pull in one of the other academics as well. Having a pack mu- ..er, an assist- ...a peer. Yes. That could help. Oui. We can try et figure out the exacts soon, j'pense. I just need to note some things down in my office after my recent sojourns."

Quintessa can't help but grin at the mention of monologuing, remembering when her theatrics got her into trouble fighting the Razurath during the Trist'oth liberation. "Oh, I don't do that anymore!" she snickers at that. Truth was, she discovered a spell that protected an imagine of herself that would recite any villainous speeches she had planned so long as she prepared them ahead of time. "But I'll keep your advice in mind. As for pack-assistance-peers, I'm sure I can talk someone into tagging along with us. It'll be an exercise in logistics too." When the conversation moves back to Mage's Guild, thought of Karasu, Odhanos, and the other people in the guild she had come to regard as family in the few months she'd spent there. Now she spent all of her time away from them, locked up alone in her laboratory trying to absorb the culmination of Larewen's magical research, all but abandoning her responsibilities with the guild. "Ugh, offices. Y'know, Provost Kerrigan has been pressuring me lately to help figure out the new curriculum. I'm going to need my own office in the tower soon, too." Memories, and the emotions they carried, filled the young woman's mind as she thought back to the days when she was but a mere student. Was she ready to become one of the stuffy types who stayed in their offices and looked down on the apprentices? "I wonder what Karasu would think of me now... The last time the two of us really spoke was... Well, you were there. I've changed so much since the last time she saw me."

Kasyr doesn't trust that snicker, but he's much to worn out to challenge the changeling on it. Her mention of logistics, however, does elicit a sign of familiarity from the Kensai, "Expect to struggle with that a lot as you lead more. Though delegating helps." That said, he's less certain as to how to answer the rest of her questions. There were still some students to teach, and both providing advance, adjustments to form, and setting tasks was a thing he tried to do when he stopped back into the tower- but, the concept of his students when they were outside of his view was nebulous at best. People changed, oftentimes drastically, and Karasu had a curse of some sort festering within her. And the changes that Quintessa was undergoing even during brief weeks spent apart were notable, her temperament seeming far less volatile then before. "We can cross that bridge when we get there." Or the changeling can, and Kasyr can make himself conspicuously absent so he doesn't have to answer any awkward questions. "Just trap your office, if you do get one. I bet Lanlan will waste no time whatsoever in trying to break in, just to please the one holding his leash." There's a rueful smirk offered to Quintessa alongside that comment, his hand reaching out to take hold of hers and squeeze it. "Anyways."

Quintessa frowns at the mention of crossing that bridge when she got to it. That wasn't quite the answer she was looking for. She decides to wait to tell him that Karasu had been missing since she became an Arcane Stewardess. "I don't think I'll have to worry about Lanlan. The Provosts already know of his treachery and are waiting for his return to capture him and put him on trial for betraying the Mage's Guild. If I find him first I'll flay him living before sending bits back to his slave-master. There won't need to be a trail." Quintessa's hatred burns so hot for the Drow at this moment that it's a wonder her aura hasn't set fire to the bed yet. Even as angry as she was she would never turn down his physical affection though and squeezes his hand back. This does a little bit to lift the cloud having over her head. "Anyways," she agrees, "I've got ideas about how to handle the Drow. Perhaps Odhranos can teach me a terramancy spell powerful enough to collapse the ground hanging over Trist'oth and rid us of those degusting dark elves once and for all."

Kasyr , despite a certain muted contentment at the idea of Lanlan getting a bit of well and overdue misery, is nowhere near as ecstatic as he ought to be about both the impending trial, or the potential bits of murder that are well and along the way. The volatility of one of the few people savvy as to the impending annihilation of all living things and their ties to Lanlan are no doubt accountable for that. "Uuuugh." Quintessa's thoughts on genocide are at least a bit more entertaining to hear, however. "It's a state ridden with mages, most spells that would be potent enough to wrench down the ceiling on a region are going to be lengthy et obvious enough to be noted. Even if I had wanted to do something like, say, set in place mining to honey comb the ceiling above with tunnels which are formally meant to dredge up materials more native to the Underdark, anything akin to that would take decades to actually set up, et even then, still may fail." Where -was- Tiphareth in all this? The Kensai had fallen out of the loop. "It would be nice if things stopped being a problem for a little while. Just a few weeks of nothing lurking in the shadows, enfin." He continues to engage in the time honored tradition of tossing and turning, rolling over onto his back, and using his hold on Quintessa's hands to tug her closer for a small kiss, "I mean, I know you lurk. So, present company excluded."

"Oh, I know," blurts out Quintessa, barely heeding the warning given to her about the Drow and their proclivities to magic. "I've been launching gorilla attacks on them for a while. Mages, anti-mages, assassins, priestesses. They all bleed out and die the same when you run them through... But perhaps you are right; I'll have to destroy them from the inside out. They'll see me a mile away if I do anything large scale. Perhaps a series of bounties...?" The odd girl trails off before she is interrupted by Kasyr's tug and kiss and she kisses him back enthusiastically, rolling over to push him on his back before straddling on top of him. "Yes, I miss the days when I was a student. No political rivalries. No Drow matrons trying to kill you for unknown reasons. No-" strange beings bringing you into dark bargains for power in exchange for cursing some holy trees. Quintessa frowns. She did not like keeping this from Kasyr but knew deep down that he would not approve even if she was doing this all for him. "Well, you get the point, but we can pretend. Let's do that now." The dark haired woman leans in close to place a slow, deliberate kiss on his lips before whispering "Let me tuck you in properly. It's been so lonely without you, but I have you now. Let's forget our problems for one night and enjoy ourselves while we still have a chance."