RP:Arien Recruits Satoshi

From HollowWiki

Part of the Liberation of Rynvale Arc



LOCATION: Rynvale, Outside the Governor's Mansion

Arien lurked in the deep shadows of the side of the street opposite to the great home, a frown knitting her brow as she peered up into the lantern lit windows. The mansion had been ‘closed’ since the Time Lord had taken power..and yet, there were guards at the door and lantern lights in the windows of any number of rooms. Someone was in residence. Someone not free to come and go, someone not seen or heard from for months, but of a high enough profile to have a heavy guard. In the chill night air the elf suddenly straightened, slender hands rising to lower the hood from her head as she lifted her gaze to the lit windows again, a stunned murmur slipping out into the surrounding night. “Dear gods, its their Royal Highnesses.” Emerald gaze widened at the significance of the realization. The people of Rynvale only had to see the faces of their king and queen, long thought dead, and the fire of rebellion would be lit. “ Now we -have- to take it.” She drew her cloak closer around her body, eyes fixated upon the precious prize before her.

Helich had always imagined power as something he could see, control. An occupied city, a quieted populace. A place to build upon the fundementals of any working orginization. They were weak. He was strong. Illusionary robes as dark as the night he basked in adorned a body that was just under seven feet in height. Every inch of skin was covered, only his scent would give him away. First one would need wealth. He leaned against the wall of a closed shop, the robes adorning him seeming to 'melt' into the bricks - making him appear flat from behind. Gray orbs dwelled upon the home as much as Ariens - yet with an agenda all their own.

Satoshi 's reasons for being here are her own, but whatever force has brought her to the island of Rynvale has impecible timing to set the feline before Arien now. Almost figuratively, as the magus gives the appearance of suddenly manifesting from the evening sea-fog rolling through the streets. In reality, she'd only been slinking about beneath the misty cover--and blending into it in that ghostly habit of hers--when Arien's familiar scent reached her. Curiosity, that insatiable force powerful enough to override a freshly fed bloodlust, drives the feline to where the leader lurks and to silently present herself--carefully out of sword range after their last foggy introduction. A quick nod a lopsided grin are given. "Bonsoir, Lady Elf," the cat greets in her whispery voice, azure eyes following the emerald gaze in quiet question.

The whisper on the night wind was almost missed over the pounding of her own heart. Thick, heavy thuds that signaled the depth to which the high elf hoped, prayed that her assumption was true. It would be impossible to know until the mansion was breeched and its occupants brought into view. If it was truly the Royal family held here under siege, it would mark the beginning of the true restoration for which she, and all her kin had yearned. Fiery head turned in the direction of that whispered greeting, and the elf was hard pressed not to show her surprise when the magus emerged from the fog. “ Satoshi..the night finds you far from home..and so coincidentally. I have been meaning to seek your counsel” Her gaze flickered towards the mansion again, pausing there briefly before returning to the feline. She hesitated at the question presented in her eyes. Did she dare? To reveal even her supposition would begin a chain of events she might be powerless to stop. She was speaking before she realized her lips were moving. “ I think I have found them Satoshi, sitting here neath our noses this entire time. The king and queen of Rynvale. He holds them here.”

Satoshi gains a distant expression at the elf's form of greeting, a faint smile playing on pale-as-death lips. "The night always finds me far from home. And I doubt it's coincidence. I have a nose for trouble, and when it's not leading me to Kasyr, it's leading me to other potent sources of it." Once more her amber-specked gaze goes to the mansion, a vulpine ear turned to catch Arien's words as her face settles into an expressionless set. "You believe so, hm? And you intend to change that." There's no question in her voice as the feline's focus returns to Arien, a cattish smirk spreading on her features. "My nose never fails to find me trouble and fun~."

Arien allowed a rueful smile to pluck at her lips. “ There is a saying among the humans. If I told you ..I would have to kill you. And that, I am sure, is not so easily done.” Her gaze snapped to the lit window again. “ You are, however, correct. I have failed once to puge this city completely of the bane that was the Time Lord, but in his temporary retreat has a window of opportunity arisen that I am loath to see pass by.” Her voice dropped then to a murmur, almost to herself. “ If the King and Queen live, it would be but an added grace to the initial blessing of freedom.” The elf turned to meet the gaze of the magus. “ I have not forgotten that you stood with allied armies on the day that Rynvale fell, or that Vailkrin offered protection in the darkest hours of our war with the Emperor. Does your heart still stand aligned against his will? Could I count upon you if we made attempt to take the isle?” Arien’s tone and expression were somber. There were no guarantees with one as fickle as the feline. She was not known for the tender emotions, or for doing anything that might not somehow serve her own interests. Her support would be by no means guaranteed.

Satoshi 's personality, unbeknownst to herself, is being thoroughly summarized in the elf's thoughts. But, Satoshi is also notorious to doing the unexpected, and tonight she has just the reason to prove Arien's beliefs wrong. A reason that has banished the feline's normally neutral expression, replaced it with a look of pure loathing--blue eyes both blazing and frosty, fangs bared, ears pressed flat, and twin tails jerking sharply. And yet, the barely contained blizzard's fury inside that wraith of a frame is not directed at Arien herself, but the one who is the mastermind behind this all. Vuryal. "A chance to give that Parasite a final boot out of here? I'd do next to anything," the magus growls out between clenched fangs, claws flexing as she imagines wrapping them around his damnable neck. Here's her chance to seek revenge for the bullying and mental-torment he put her through, however briefly. And any who knows a cat's mind knows they always get their revenge, preferrably served cold. Icy cold. The thought is enough to cool her temper and allow her to return her features to a calm set as she gives Arien an unwavering look, eyes bright and determined. "You've got yourself a cryomancer, Lady Elf. For as long as this takes, I'll lend my aid. The Parasite is gone, and it's time the rest of his essence is done away with too."

Arien smiled grimly, a shadow of what it should normally be. “ Very well then, We shall meet again to discuss what plans have already been formulated. But this is not the time, nor the place. I am known to the Emperor’s men. Perhaps a discussion in one of the more private areas of the corpse might be appropriate. The hour grows late, and we should retire before we are observed.”

Satoshi nods quickly, already shifting back toward the thicker patches of fog. "Oui. Later is better. And not the Corpse. Information has escaped there before concerning the Parasite. My manor. It's safe. None enter there that I don't allow. To find it, follow this." A soft word and a gleam of blue light leaves a delicate, frosty butterfly fluttering glass-like wings before the elf. Nodding again, the feline tosses Arien a salute and promptly disappears into the mist, calling quietly, "Until then, Lady Elf, take care~."


Two Days later: Satoshi's Home, Vailkrin

Arien stood at the door of the house, the magical creature Satoshi had given her to guide her way here grasped in hand. This would be it, the final piece of the puzzle if all could be arranged, and then it would only be a matter of time. She almost felt bereft, with Rhocielle watchful presence missing from her side. He had become the most proficient guard she had ever had, and offered wise counsel as a matter of course, his insight would have been useful at this meeting but he had been unexpectedly called away for some days. She would have to rely upon her own insight and intuition to deconstruct what would occur here today. She was not alone however. A quick smile was tossed over her shoulder. Tari would be taking point on the team that would have the most use for the magus and her mate, and the elf hoped that together, especially with the tiefling as a resource, their power collective power would have what it took to put the final nail in the Empire’s coffin. A slender hand raised, palm folded into a fist to gently rap upon the door, and the elf stepped back, an invitation in itself for the evenings discourse to begin.

Tari was silent and watchful at Arien's side as she been called to be. As a wayward thought, she was also glad that she had chosen to wear shoes for once. She wasn't completely up to date on what was going on. Politics had never been her strong suit, as she often ignored the civic happenings around her on a daily basis. It was a trait she had always meant to better within herself but never seemed to get around to actually doing anything about it. All she knew from the quick briefing she had been offered was that she could help in some way and that was all she really needed to know. She trusted Arien enough to believe that the elfess would not knowingly steer her in a wrong course of action and she had never needed much more than that to take action. She felt on edge, all the same, with the sheer thrill of being able to use her favored craft for some good. She was good at what she did and she had worked hard to get where she was. She wasn't ashamed of the fact that she was damn proud of herself. She did, however, know the benefits that came with humility. And so she was still, for the moment, and silent, a little smile offered in return to Arien. With a downwards glance to Jiacomo- the snow jaguar had been a constant companion for the past few days now- she let herself relax a bit. His tail swayed slowly from side to side and she rolled her eyes at him.

Satoshi is preoccupied with glaring into a mirror, fingers tracing the faint lines of scratches swiftly healing on her face. "Hellfire, I hate when meals fight back.." the magus grumbles, pausing in her scrutinizing at the sound of a knock at the door. Tossing a look to the calico kitten seated beside the mirror, the feline questions aloud, "Was I expecting anyone...? Oh! Right. Lady Elf. Right? Right." Solace merely offers a blank look and flick of an ear as Satoshi moves off to answer the call. With a flourish and a whistle, the mage opens the door to Arien. "Evenin'~. Followed the butterfly and found your way all right, yes~?" Offering Tari a curious look, the feline nods and steps aside. "C'mon in. I'd say to get out of the night chill but... Well. It's colder in here~."

Kasyr is quite comfortably seated in one of the various armchairs, arms stretched out behind his head as he contemplated the ceiling. ..Which is to say, the hybrid is quite busy being oblivious to the rest of the world, beyond the occasional glance stolen towards Satoshi. It's only when it dawns on him that she's actually greeting people, that he takes the time to actually stare at the door, and the people now present, "Oh. Bonne Soir, et all that. Enjoy the warm hospitality...or something." With a nod, and a less than subtle smirk, the hybrid simply resumes his lounging.

Arien smiled a quick greeting to the magus and tiefling both, drawing her winter cloak closer around her body as she stepped into the home. It bespoke what she knew of the personalities of its primary occupant..or occupants as might be the case. “ My apologies Satoshi, if the hour is late, but the affairs of war have been pressing on my time and advantage must be taken where it can. You have not changed your mind about your willingness to aid our cause, it is to be hoped, for we have tailor made an operation to take advantage of your not inconsiderable abilities.” A smile hovered as emerald gaze flickered over her shoulder to rest upon the husband of the mage. Husband. How very odd to think of that word and Ashen in the same sentence. They seemed more the sort to resort to killing than to loving, but what they had rang true; the irony. Stepping aside to allow Tari entrance behind her, the elf responded to the feline, extending introductions as part of the utterance. “ Yes..we found it easily enough, I would that every step along our path this night be thus.” A slender hand reached out to indicate the round guard at her side. “May I introduce you both to Tari, member of the fold round Guard, and assuredly one of the most gifted Spatiomancers I have been privileged to meet or work with. It is my intent that we find a way to marry your magics to true effect in this engagement. But those details will come later.”

Tari couldn't help but raise a brow as the door was whisked open before them. She wasn't sure what she had even expected. The mention of the chill air was something she was used to hearing but the sensation of temperature changes was something she could only remember feeling. She tilted her head slightly and offered a smile to Satoshi, then followed Arien inside. The winter wonderland within was more than a delight. Quite the fan of snow, it was hard to keep her own eccentritcities contained. Jiacomo went straight to the fireplace and Tari followed with slow steps and remained standing. Kasyr went unacknowledged as she found herself captive to the sight of falling snow outside of Frostmaw. It was only when she registered the fact that Arien was speaking in that official tone of voice that she stilled her wandering gaze and made herself focus. She gave a little smile at Arien's introduction of herself but she kept quiet for the time being.

Satoshi grants Tari a nod with Arien's introductions, quietly adding, "We've met briefly." 'Even if I remember her lovely, four-legged companion better,' is tacked on silently. Closing the door behind her with a soft click, the feline makes her way to the chair the tiefling occupies, claiming a spot on the arm of it in a manner that is oddly both casual and attentively business-like. Nodding again, the little mage settles her focus on Arien with a half-smirk. "My willingness to help hasn't changed in the slightest. I want my revenge, even if it must be in a roundabout way. So, what exactly are you planning and how does it include me~?" Satoshi's a straightforward creature, having no talent or love for dancing around subjects of any manner. Most especially revenge. Such a serious business for cats. Well, business and pleasure, if the mischievous grin playing across the mage's features then is any indicator.

Kasyr lofts an eyebrow at Ariens words, but remains otherwise quiet; seemingly preoccupied with both the encirling of an arm about Satoshis' waist, and the ensuing scrutiny of Taris' person. Really, the only thing the hybrid does have to say, is a rather baffled sounding, "I swear. Almost familiar, ou quelque chose.." before he contents himself with listening to the seemingly important planning going on about him.

Arien chuckled softly, moving deeper into the home and slipping into a seat as close to the couple as she could get. Leaning forward, her elbows resting upon her knees, emerald gaze dances to life at the prospect of finally finishing what she has so long begun. She began to speak, quietly but quickly, endeavoring to be concise and yet provide as accurate a picture as she could of what they hoped to accomplish. “ We have spent the last month scouting the island in an attempt to determine what forces yet remain, and their capacity to make war, or defend the territory. It would seem that the strongest force yet remaining in what is left of the imperial navy.” She leaned back in her seat. Their strength and numbers are severely depleted from our last encounter, and many remain anchored in port. It is the armament and cannons they carry that would be the largest threat to any effort to liberate the isle-they must be sunk, or so damaged that their armament is non functional.” She cast a quick glance Tari’s way, before making eye contact with the magus again, the muttering tiefling a minor distraction and thus earning a slightly narrowed stare before she continued. “ The ships, while large and heavily armed are flawed in as much as they are still built to conventional standards- tar and pitch are used to seal the wood, ensuring the vessels remain watertight and afloat.” The hand fluttered Tari’s way again. “Tari here, has the ability to manipulate that tar, make it less, more.. gone. The ships become pourous. After that, the fleet can become our playthings. Water can be manipulated through the unsealed cracks to flood the vessels, ice can be generated in the very fabric of the wood and expanded until the ships literally fall apart. The possibilities, with your collective power, franky seem limited only by your own ingenuity. What cannot be destroyed with water..will be by fire. Our dragon kin will fire whatever remains.” She took a deep breath. “ Plausible..possible even? I have not been able to find a reason myself, why the plan would not work.”

Tari did recognize Satoshi, a bit. When first they had met she had been crumpled across an armchair, if memory served her right. She reached her right hand a few inches down to scratch between the jaguar's ears. The feline nudged her fingertips but otherwise wouldn't be distracted. He had been eyeing Kasyr since they had entered, though Tari couldn't see why, but she thought it might have something to do with the garbled French he kept spitting out. Languages, another thing she had never bothered to pick up. Hmm, perhaps another thing to tack onto the end of her to-do list. Tari turned her attentions back to Arien as she began to overlay her plan for taking Rynvale. Seemed simple enough in theory but, "What if they're expecting just this sort of an attack? They must know that we realize that we're outnumbered in brute strength. Thus, they must know that we will begin to explore other options."

Satoshi listens along with more than polite false-attention, instead finding the prospect and explanation downright fascinating. She's a certain fondness for chaos and destruction, even if a grimace makes itself known at the mention of fire being planned for as well. Still, that aspect of the proposal didn't directly involve her, and so Satoshi simply tucks it away as a minor worry and continues on. "I can manage that. More so, and with a few more... interesting twists if," and here she pauses to glance back at Kasyr with a renewal of her cattish grin, "you're up for playing along too~. Almost like another trip on the Mutiny, hm~?" Offering the tiefling a brief kiss to the forehead, the feline turns back and looks between Arien and Tari with a raised brow, "Aside from tar... Any good with rust? Salt's rather nasty at damaging gear and cannons alike with it. Speeding up its hunger could be... fun."

Kasyr snaps to attention, Satoshis' query answered at once- with a tone which resonates with both devotion and glee, "Playing along with tu? I would be bereft of all sense, were I to say anything other than Oui. Erm, yes. You know I'd love to watch the remnants of the empire burned away to Ash. That it'll be done in one fell swoop just makes it a fair bit less vexsome as a task."

Arien grinned at the enthusiasm of the pair. “ And that ingenuity, right there, is precisely why the idea of working with you appeals to me Satoshi. Your capacity for engineering trouble seems never ending.” Visions of the imperial vessels literally eroding to dust while they took on water gave the elf a certain sense of vicious satisfaction. Really, one would think her bitterness outweighed the feline’s own at this point. She had lost so much…so much to the Time Lord. Pain tore at her heart as she thought about the silver dragon who had left her side, shamed by the defeat..the loss of his wings to the emperor. An engagement broken, a future shattered. And then too her heartkin, Nasurate..killed in his dammed war. Two of those whom had been closest to her heart. She walked alone because of Vuryal. She swallowed the gall that rose in her throat. Revenge was a dish best served cold. Now was not the time to swim in a haze of blind emotion. Order..meticulous planning would win the day. She turned her head Tari’s way, curious as to her response to the question. Surely what could be done with tar, could be done with rust.

Tari tilted her head slightly, a slender finger tapped against the corner of her mouth as she chewed at her thoughts. She had broken down materials before, just as she rebuilt them. But a ship was a large scale effort she hadn't yet attempted, nor been offered the chance to do such. The opportunity seemed a chance to further her knowledge that she couldn't pass up. "Bring in the salt water of the high seas and combine it with a nice little windstorm off the mainland and I think I could induce some pretty chemical reactions for yah, no problem. It'll take some practice. It's a larger assignment than I'm used to." she chewed lightly at her lower lip. She didn't have as much at stake emotionally as others did. She was careful not to look at Arien and instead kept her eyes on Satoshi. Jiacomo was still watching at Kasyr as if he were stalking prey.

Satoshi nods along with the words before glancing sidelong at the mirror--attention drawn by Solace fiddling with it. Frowning to herself at the still unhealed scratches, the feline finds herself suddenly impatient now that the plans have been laid out. She needs to feed, to quell her hunger and speed up the healing of wounds delivered by her failed hunt the night prior. "That's everything, I presume? For now, of course. Because... well, it's getting late, and I'm getting hungry. Snacking just doesn't quite satisfy, y'know?" If there's any guessing at what the feline means, a flash of a fanged grin is explanation enough. It's only the tiefling's arms about her waist that stops her from outright shoo'ing the Fold members out the door--not for lack of manners but... even an ally elf is edible, once Satoshi's hungry enough.

Kasyr retains his hold about the feline, though his ensuing rising facilitates any likewise action from his beloved. Not that it concerns the tiefling. All he has to say is a, "...If at all possible, if plans of the ships could be procured, it would be highly appreciated. That, and a number of barrels of pure water. That's the only sort of preperations that I might desire, however. Anyways- We'll reserve any further discussions for the next time we meet. Other matters to attend to, et such."

Satoshi said, "Oh, right... pure water would help. Forgot that..."

Arien nods briskly, rising to her feet. “ Yes, for now..that is all. Getting the plans, and pure water should not pose a problem. We are taking the steps to prepare now for the engagement. You may expect our next interaction to be in regards to when and where the assault will occur. I wish to strike quickly, while the enemy remains complacent and the people grow increasingly restless. I shall stay in touch by courier.” The elf turns her gaze the tiefling’s way. “ Kasyr..in time, we must speak. I fear..Solaris. something is happening to him, I have seen it, felt it and I fear for us all.” A shadow rests upon the face of the elf. She had felt the Hunger..had warded it off only by the infusion of some of the power of the Spear into the general. They might not be so lucky the next time it reared its head. She glanced the way of her guard. “Good eve to you both.. Come Tari, we have imposed enough for one evening.” And with a final graceful bow, the elf would turn on her heel and make for the door. She did not bother to look back, assuming the female would be fast upon her heels.

Tari nodded once at Arien's words, offered a slight bow to Satoshi and Kasyr and then nudged the jaguar with a bent knee before following Arien out the door.

Satoshi manages a hasty wave for the departing pair, but any further effort is devoted to nuzzling agains the tiefling and murmuring, "Well, that was interesting. Looks like we'll be having some fun soon~."