RP:Cerinii's Gift
Part of the Snow Maiden Arc
Jarl's Throne
Upon entering the room you see three frost giants. Two of the frost giants stand next to a blue-steel made throne, their armor shines strangely in the light, and their weapons remain drawn at all times. Both of the guards watch you closely should you try to attack or cause trouble, and the looks within both of their eyes clearly show they are skilled warriors. Their weapons consist of a large war axe, measuring three humans in length, the axes glow constantly and a cold chill can faintly be felt from their aura. The third frost giant, known as the Jarl, or leader, sits quietly in his throne. The muscular built giant watches you, and beside him he rests a massive two handed blade, which hums quietly in the surrounding air. The Jarl's armor is deep blue, trimmed in white, and his helmet is scarred with the various blows he has accepted in battle. His skin is equally scarred and among the flesh you can see between the plates of his full-plate armor, you can see old healed wounds. Either you have come to ask the Jarl for something or you have wandered in by accident. You should leave to the south.
Characters
||The room closer resembles a battlefield than the once-proud throne room it had been the day prior. Icy blood pools heavily upon the floor around four bodies, three heavily mutilated frost giants and a gryphon, its magnificent white and silver fur stained crimson in death. Satoshi stands in the center of the room, beside the headless corpse of the former-Jarl, and seems lost in thought while staring at the blue-steel throne, one hand absently tracing the simple pattern of braided-silver that rests on her head--once Ezezil's ring, now her makeshift crown. A single living Frost Giant is present, standing awkwardly to the side as he awaits a command from his new queen. But none is forthcoming currently.
Cerinii could smell the blood a mile away. Avians had such sharp noses, it was particularly handy in these situations. She had planned on just a nice, calming flight but the blood distracted her. She approached the throne-room quietly and quickly, speed of the essence. She entered the room quietly, eyeing Satoshi from afar. She grinned ever so slightly, before barking at the awkward-looking guard, "You! What are you doing, standing there? Are you dull in the brain? Clean this up! Are you expecting the Snow Maiden to bathe in it? Move, move, move!" She clapped her hands with urgency, willing to guard into motion. With that, she folded her arms across her chest - grinning from ear to ear. Waiting for Satoshi to be less distracted by the blood.
Satoshi nearly jumps out of her skin when Cerinii's orders cut through the air, and the guard nearly does the same before, blinking rapidly, he rushes off to fetch assistance. Yet, despite being startled, the feline maintains an unbothered expression as she turns to face the avian, a slow smile spreading on her face after a pause. "Herald~. Come to pay me a visit so soon? We haven't even had time to clean up yet." A sweeping gesture takes in the small massacre now being fervently attended to by returned guard and a quartet of Frost Giant maids armed with mop and bucket, the rich scent of soap filling the air. The feline's expression shifts subtly, hinting at a gratitude for Cerinii's unexpected command serving the dual purpose of pulling her from a building bloodlust and getting said blood cleared away swiftly. The avian woman is given another grin, and a playfully formal bow. "What do you think of the crown? I think I need one in my own size, really. Don't you?"
Cerinii chuckled softly, "Snow Maiden. Ahh, I did not expect to find you here!" She grinned, "How ironic, actually. Nein, I was drawn by the smell of the blood." She paused, eyeing the maids over quietly; assessing their work. She then bent at the waist, wings flaring out with a small 'woosh'. A formal, yet delightful bow. She grinned widely at Satoshi, revealing pearly teeth. "Oh, I think it suits." She chuckles, standing up straight once more. "Keep it as ein trophy. Shred ein part off to make your own crown." She then raised a digit in the air, "Ah! I have ein gift for you."
Satoshi finds herself preoccupied a moment as the guard hefts the body of her snow gryphon into his arms, taking exceptional care with the brave beast that's so often a symbol of the Snow Maiden. Frostwing will be given a grave of honor in Frostmaw, Satoshi will make sure of that. But brooding thoughts on lost companions don't linger long as she's pulled away by Cerinii's words. Most especially the part consisting of 'gift for you'. Vulpine ears instantly prick up as she looks back at the avian, unable to hide a child-like excitement glimmering in her eyes. "For moi? How thoughtful~."
Cerinii nodded, "I do hope you like it." She smiled, "I've tested it three times und refined it! It's quite durable, it should be fit for ein Queen." She winked playfully. She then closed the distance between the two, rummaging through her satchel. She produced a fine black box, engraved with fine silver and small silver snow-flakes. She presents the box, with a wide smile, "I think it's pretty." She whispered, hoping the feline would share the same sentiment.
Satoshi eyes the box a long moment admiring the detail before she lifts a hand to rest on the cover, tracing the snowflakes. "If this es what holds it, I can only imagine how pretty it is..." Winking at Cerinii, Satoshi lifts the cover to reveal its contents. Amber-flecked eyes widen in wonder as the blue-steel ring is lifted free and held up to read the inscription and examine the silver ingrained into it. "It's lovely... And powerful." The magus can feel the aura of the ring resonating from it, something that synches up to her own power even then, and eagerly it's slipped onto her finger, fitting into place as if it'd always been there. Almost instantly the ring flares to life, humming an echo that matches her frozen sword and bracer, declaring itself as part of Satoshi. And the feline has no objections to this, evident by the genuine smile she gives Cerinii. "Thank you. This is... an exceptional gift. It has valuable secrets, I can feel it..."
Cerinii grinned, taking a few steps back. "I am pleased you like it, Snow Maiden." She nodded eagerly, "Ja, ja. It reacts to your mind; telepathic indicator." She smiled, "If you feel attacked, threatened or in need of protection..." She paused, grinning, "Well.. Try it. Think it und see." She winked, "I dare you." She wanted to see how Satoshi reacted to it. To see if it would have been of any use to her.
Satoshi is unaware of the small audience they've obtained during the gift-giving as the giants, while still cleaning up the last of the blood, stare in simple wonder at Snow Maiden and Herald. The two are an odd pair, that much they're certain of. Satoshi can't agree more as she grins at the avian, her right hand extending and her brow furrowing in concentration. -In need of protection... Think it and s-- The thought is cut off, interrupted by a sudden flare of azure light from the ring before her arm is tugged downwards by an unexpected weight. Frantically hurrying to right her balance, Satoshi brings her arm back close to her body and stares down in wonder at the elaborate frozen shield currently latched to her arm. "Interessant..." Another thought, curious and experimental, goes to the shield, willing it from the shape of a round shield to a full-length algid tower shield. It remains as such for a second before Satoshi, too petite for such a weight, urges it back to a ring state, leaving her unshield but grinning widely. "Now -that- is quite the gift."
Cerinii smiled widely, watching with interest. "Ahh, very good, Snow Maiden." She chuckled, "You are skilled with it, already!" She paused, before nodding. "Ein Queen must be safe." She pivoted on her heel, calling to the small audience, "Don't you agree, fair giants?" Her wings flared out in an elaborate show. She turned to face Satoshi once more, smiling at her. "You will be able to support more weight by keeping your arm close to your body. Take ein stance too, it will keep you more balanced."
Satoshi is still admiring the ring when the giants all proclaim their agreement, each giving the strange Herald a respectful, albeit cautious, smile. Avians are so rarely seen in Frostmaw, but this one is obviously going to be around often, with her ties to the Snow Maiden, and they'll simply have to adapt to that change--one of many. Satoshi, as if sensing the giants' uncertainty, gives them a reassuring smile, and even a light pat to shoulders, as she strides past them toward the throne. A sudden idea has entered her head, and she's eager to see it through. "New rule, new ring..." Murmuring to herself, the magus unsheathes her frost-katana, resting it against the blue-steel alongside her ringed hand. A blue light spills from sword and ring then, spreading rapidly over the seat and leaving crystalline ice behind as it builds upwards. In a matter of moments, the blue-steel throne has been enveloped in a towering pristine ice hewn in patterns far more elaborate than the former Jarl's crude ones had been. "And new throne."
Satoshi said to Cerinii, "Suitable, non?"
Cerinii grinned at the Giants, winking at them. "I am the Herald, here to serve the Snow Maiden. Nein harm should come to you, by mein hand." She watched Satoshi carefully, very curious of her actions. "Hm, new rule und new ring." She grinned with awe at the now icy throne. "Und new throne. Sehr gut und appropriate!" She chuckled softly, "So, go on. Tell me what it is like to be Queen, for I know not its pleasures."
Satoshi resheathes her blade before sitting upon the newly conjured throne, smiling as smugly as a cat that's just caught a fine bird. "It's... different. But not much so, either. I look after these lands, and people, much like Aura, tu sais?"
Cerinii nodded, "I see." She smiles, "How interesting." She chuckles softly, grinning at Satoshi. "Well.. The blood has been cleaned und your throne has been renewed." She smiled, "I suppose, I should take mein leave, eh?"
Satoshi nods in agreement. "I should as well. I have people to contact and meet with. We'll have to have a formal meeting ourselves, soon." Nodding again, both in thanks to the giants who've finished their task, and to Cerinii, she adds, "Until then, Herald. Take care, and thank you for the gift."
Cerinii dipped her head, in way of a polite nod. "I shall be at your beck und call, Snow Maiden. I'll watch from the skies." She winked, "Take care." With that, she practically skipped out of the throne room.