RP:Friends 'Til the End
This is a Necromancer's Guild RP.
Synopsis: Raevyn finds a very familiar face, Celaeno, at the Necromancer's Guild. The pair share excitement, mistrust and eventually bonding over the course of the evening. Oh and something about an undead's 'dooober' hanging out.
Date: Dec. 10th, 2017
Necromancer's Guild
An unsettling aura of darkness permeates the room upon entrance, its sole illuminating source being that of flickering, ethereal sconces that hang upon cobwebbed walls. A door rests within the northern wall, seemingly held up to its warped doorframe by pure luck alone. Flanking it are two desks, both of which are occupied by ever watchful wraiths, their eyes aglow with a soul-scouring stare. Old, rotted shelves with introductory information on the art of necromancy are placed sporadically around the room, accompanied by wooden benches that are anything but comfortable. There is a distinct smell of death here. Entrance to the north is barred by magical means and those not of these darkest arts are not permitted to enter.
Celaeno sat in one of those hard, unyielding benches bya randomly arranged bookcase. Her long robes flowed along the floor, concealing that the tips of her boot hardly grazed it. Instead of stiff shoulders and tense posture, Cela actually slouched over a closed tome she held on her lap. She didn't bother hiding her hands under her sleeves, letting the soft sconce light flicker off of them and the glow of those runes join the dim illumination of the rest of the room. The only parts that stayed pensive were her furrowed brow and thin line of a mouth. Based on her tense expression, one might think she were teetering on a narrow ledge, able to tip one way or another any moment and trying to decide whether falling or staying on solid ground was the better option.
Raevyn entered into the guild headquarters quietly, her corpse-like gaze set upon the architecture of the room to get a feel for the place she would soon be learning from. She seemed a bit agitated as she walked with a slight limp, almost mimicking the undead that trailed along beside her; And the scythe she carried was used to lean against and help hold her weight as she traveled. The wraiths guarding the quarters were met with a bit of a glare, knowing full well what their sort were capable of. She was almost ready to turn around to leave, when the young woman spied an all too familiar face. Her still bubbling anger cooled if only slighty as she made her way over where Celaeno sat, agitation turning to confusion. "Celaeno? What... What are you doing here?"
Celaeno starts as she hears her name spoken aloud in the quiet place. Spying Raevyn, even being followed by the resident guards made the conflicted expression flee to be replaced by a grin, and even a hint of mischief about it. She holds up the tome in her lap, a Minor Book of the Dead identical to the one Raevyn had shown her the last time they crossed paths. “Guess who I came across the other day in Cenril?” She stands and approaches Raevyn, the smile widening. “I happened upon Miss Khitti as she was discussing plans to rebuild her bakery and we started talking about jobs, then your name came up and she offered me entrance to the guild.” It was then her head quirks to one side, her happy mouth creasing back to that frown as she notied that her friend leaned against her scythe a little too much. “Are you...alright?”
The smile that found its way upon Raevyn's features was bright and cheerful as the news was revealed. "Really? Wow! Congratulations! I am so happy for you!" Her excitement was completely genuine, and if she had been the person she was before her accident, she would have probably reached out and gave her silver-handed friend a great big hug. Though she wasn't, and so she didn't. The whole contact thing was still a bit of a problem for the girl. "Truly, this is so great. We can perhaps.. practice and study together. It will be nice to have someone to relate to. To have someone on equal ground." When Celaeno's concern was made evident, Raevyn shrugged. "I'll be fine. I tripped and hurt my knee." But it was obvious that something was still seething beneath the surface, and this would suddenly come out of the blue as she first made her way toward a nearby seat. Before she could even plant her butt, she turned and began a miniature tirade. "You know what? No... I am not alright. I hate people. They're so... so... stupid." It was unlike the girl to sling such an insult in such a way. "They're so superstitious and they blame everything and everyone for their own stupid problems. And when they find someone to blame, they have to be gross, and ignorant and violent. They can't listen to reason, to talk things out. No, they form stupid mobs, and scream stupid hateful things. They try to kill others because they only see in shades of stupid. And now, because of these stupid people, I can no longer see my friend in Larket. I have been branded for a second time now- Even if it is not physical this time, it still hurts! I... I hate people. They're so stupid." It seems she may need a thesaurus.
Celaeno ’s concern had started to relax some, not all gone but somewhat relieved. After all, she trusted the other woman more than most, and despite their first meeting being a rather vulnerable one, she had plenty of confidence Raevyn could handle herself. She started to follow, to sit in another place close to her friend, albeit not too close. She jumps back a step as Raevyn whirled around, though, and started into the rant. She crossed her arms over her chest and listened, expression growing darker the further the young necromancer went, connecting the dots. “Artia, right? I ran across her the other day. If they’re forming mobs against you...it seems it isn’t safe for her to live there anymore.”
Raevyn nodded in agreement. "I would think so. I mean, they attacked bastion! That sweet boy. ...For helping witches? What sort of lunacy is that? I just... I don't care. I hope that town burns to the ground before its rot can spread to the neighboring cities." That might have come off a little darker than usual, something that Raevyn wasn't exactly known for. She may have been still slightly upset about the parallels between her own banishment and the events taking place in Laket. "Anyhow. I'm sorry for that. I just..." She wrinkles her nose. " Frustrated." Finally, she limped into a seat and sat down, the satchel hanging off her hip rummaged through to pull free a few items; One in particular, that faceless mask. For the time being it was set aside, while she continued to search for something. "So, how did your meeting with Khitti go? I mean, obviously well. But did you get on with her alright? And by the way, you're looking much better than the last time we met. I take it you've been moderating yourself?" A teasing wink was tossed out.
Celaeno didn’t seem phased by her friend’s declaration, in fact she nodded along to a point before catching herself and gritting her teeth. A little fireball had been forming in her palm unconsciously, It was a first year parlor trick, something she could summon by tapping the runes on her fingertips together. She snuffed it out by clenching it into her fist and taking a deep breath. “Such plagues of misguided prejudice seem to fester in places. Even if the whole city was razed with the land salted for good measure, I doubt that would make much difference.” She still filed the incident away, in the back of her mind where all the other torch-weilding mob memories dwelt. “She was very different than I expected, a pleasant surprise, much like you. Both of you gave me enough hope to make the leap back into these arts. Magic is magic, after all, right?” She managed a chuckle, however it lacked as much mirth as it should with her attention flicking to Raevyn’s ankle sometimes. “Merely napping more often. I’m still splitting myself between a dozen or so projects. What about you? You’ve filled out and gained a whole new demeanor.”
Raevyn grumbled to herself before setting her gaze upon Celaeno with a look fo defeat. "No. I know, you're right. I'm just angry. I could never truly wish something upon an entire town. I mean... they're scared aren't they? I suppose they merely act out of fear. I just wish things could be different. Better." She finally pulled out an enclosed handkerchief and set it down upon the table; And when it was unwrapped, it was revealed to contain a few cookies. The smile shown was obviously an offering as she herself took one and bit into it. "Yes, magic is magic is it is used properly. Any magic can be used for nefarious means. it's not the art, but the practitioner." she said, confirming the other's observation, adding then- "Well, it's a good start. Just don't do too much at once. You will burn yourself out!" 'Rawr' had wandered over to where the women sat, those blank eyes staring between the pair while they spoke. "I'm... better, I guess. I've been eating more. There wasn't a whole lot of food in the tower in the forest. I made due with deliveries, as sparse as they were. And I guess... I've decided to go for a more positive approach. When I had my accident a few years ago, everything was bleak. But now, I don't know, now things just seem to be on the rise. It's nice. Besides, I can't be some frail little book worm forever, you know? otherwise I will never survive this world." When her words concluded, Raevyn looked back at Rawr to see if he was indeed still standing around; And what she saw was a little strange. Whilst in the midst of their conversation, the undead male had reached down and picked up the mask that was set aside, those bony fingers run all along its surface with a child-like wonder.
Celaeno took a deep breath, one to compose herself enough to answer as evenly as she could manage. “Oh no, you’re right that some kind punishment is deserved of those who assaulted you, especially to those who assaulted Bastion. He may be older than he appears, but he still looks like a child, an innocent one at that. Fear is no excuse. Torching the city, however, would catch those uninvolved, like Artia. No, there should be subtler ways of doing that, though I’m not sure how…” Rawr’s approach did draw Cela’s attention for the moment, but only enough that she acknowledged him with a quick nod of her head and a polite grin, before she returned to listening. That polite grin widened to a playfully devilish smile as she holds up her very first necromancy volume as a prime example. “Oh, but what those who don’t share our passion for reading don’t understand is that we may be frail in body, but in mind we hold vast powers for our love of learning. Bookworms may not win brawls, but we can be formidable in other ways.” When Raevyn’s gaze turned toward her tagalong, Cela’s wandered with it. “Rawr…” She opens her mouth a moment, closes it as she considers her next words, then attempts to speak again. “Do you...want that mask?”
Raevyn thought about her friend's words, a deeper contemplation of their meaning seemed to resonate hope within the girl. "That... is true. I know that knowledge is something of power, I just meant, well." But she did not finish what she was about to say. Celaeno's question to her undead companion had stolen the focus of her attention, and she now watched the former living study the object. With a dry cough and a gurgle, he seemed to spit out a word. "..ask." Mask? Was he saying mask? Did she assume wrong then, a few nights before at the Tower? "What about it, Rawr? Do you recognize it?" The item was turned over and 'Rawr' looked into the hollow, the item lifted for a closer inspection. The loose flesh on his face fluttered with an invisible pull, causing the creature to move his head backward in surprise. Although, that surprise did not deter the thing from its next action. The mask was lifted to the man's face and it leapt from his grasp almost immediately. Rawr seemed terrified and began to claw at the item, trying to pry it loose- but it was far too late. Tendrils of white began to pour forth from the cursed object and soon they began to thin out, liquifying in the process. It coated the undead like some sort of sentient algae until it covered every inch of visible corpse that the pair could see. The wraithen guards rose from their stations, watching with weapons drawn, prepared to cut down any sort of trouble making entity that emerged. The coating on Rawr's body began to sink inward, the strange liquid-like substance absorbed like water on a sponge; And just as soon as it had been there, it seemingly disappeared without a trace. "...Rawr?" Raevyn called out, a bit nervous. She was hesitant, but gently the girl would reach out to touch the zombified man to see if he would respond. Before her fingers could make contact, Rawr started to twitch and spasm, a tortured series of groans filling the headquarters of necromancy. What was once emaciated flesh filled out, those withered shoulders broadening, tearing the tattered garment from his chest to reveal some sort of arcane etching scrawled across his now toned pecs. His arms and legs soon began to gain definition; muscle that matched the composition of seasoned warrior. Where once he barely managed to stand as tall as Raevyn in her heels, he now towered at a height of six foot five. The only thing that did not seem to change much, were his facial features. Those eyes were still a milky white, lacking any sort of iris or pupil. He was still bald. And his face was still without a nose or lips, leaving those yellowed teeth exposed. Still, where flesh had been missing, for the most part, was now filled in, and leathery. He was, in essence, a new man. Raevyn stared in disbelief, her gaze trailing from the undead man's head and down to his toes- And she really wished she hadn't looked down. Those ragged pants didn't seem to make it and he stood there in all his glory, with his doober kind of just hanging out. "Oh by the gods." she whispered, quickly throwing a hand up to shield her view.
Celaeno bolted up as soon as the mask clawed onto the walking corpse’s face, her hands held out in front of her like someone might draw a sword. She watched as the process unfolded, stunned and statue still, an odd mix of horror and fascination battling against each other before suddenly it stopped and Raevyn’s voice snapped her out of it. Those noises, amplified it seemed, echoing around the room. She rushed forward and would attempt to grab Raevyn by her shoulders and yank her back from the writhing creature before something hit her. Even if Raevyn had already retreated, she’d want her friend nearby. Whether it was a protective or a defensive instinct, she knew the two of them would function better together at their level than alone if that new entity were to mean any harm. She also stared over the man, dumbfounded, albeit not quite as bashful as Raevyn. Anatomy was anatomy, after all. Her attention quickly returned to his face, lipless as it was. She licked her own, just to check they were there. “Ah...Hello,” she began, voice catching some before she wet her throat again. “What, pray tell, are you called?”
Raevyn stood now, next to Celaeno with both a sense of fear and wonder at the newly formed creature. Her pale hands grasped Celaeno's upper arm just as instinctively as Celaeno pulled her back; Comfort in the fact that the silver-handed woman was there with her. 'Rawr turned in their direction and stared quietly, until he noticed the raven haired girl's bashful actions. "What. You never seen a hanger before?" The creature thrust his hips and performed a rotating maneuver. "Rawr. Stop. That is rude!" she commanded. The undead male approached now, those large hands reaching out to unclasp Raevyn's cloak, regardless of any protest. "Calm yourself, kiddo. And don't call me that." Although he lacked the lips needed to form those consonants, he seemed to have no trouble speaking. Celaeno was addressed with an answer. "Baelok. Baelok Parellius. Former knight of Cenril." He took the cloak and wrapped around his lower body to cover his shame, stepping back now to give the pair a bit of distance. "Can't believe the bastard did it. Though, it ain't living flesh, it's surely a helluva lot better than being a useless corpse." Raevyn bit her lip. She was definitely afraid of this Baelok. "What do you want? Why are you here? Are you the spirit in the mask?" She then looks to Celaeno, and gives her arm a gentle squeeze.
Celaeno /:: “Crude is one thing, rude is another. The least you could do is ask for the lady’s cloak instead of startling her.” The half-elf’s robes hung off of her and her height left a significant gap between herself and the former knight, but she steps between him and Raevyn regardless after he procures his new loin coverings. She crosses her arms over her chest and stretches her neck trying to look the man in his colorless eyes. Only time would tell how long she would not be cowed. “She does have some good questions, though. And if I may add one to them, Sir Parellius, who exactly is ‘the bastard’ who apparently gave you this magnificent new form?”
Baelok copied Celaeno's action by folding his arms over his chest, the flesh near his mouth pulling the skin into a bit of a taunting smirk. "Look, I just watch the girl. I ain't instructed to be nice to her." To Raevyn he called, almost mocking. "I'm sooo sorry your majesty. Might I borrow this so I can hide the thing that causes you discomfort?" Turning toward the table, the bulking undead rifles through the things set atop, pulling free from the offered provisions from earlier a cookie. He took a bite and winced, tossing the thing back down upon the table in disgust. "Fire whoever made these. Hell." Raevyn watched the man move around, secretly admiring Celaeno's extremely forward and defensive stance. She was the far brver of the two. "There ain't no spirit in the mask. It was a damned binding ritual. To give me form once more. It was part of the damned deal." This answer would segue into the next as he added, "You know. The deal to keep you alive. Though, this ain't exactly what I had in mind. I assumed I'd be alive again. Gotta read that fine print, yeah?" Those milky whites focused now on Celaeno and he shrugged. "Just someone who figures it best that this one-" he nods at Raevyn, "Ain't in a grave." The girl spoke up with her guess, "Larewen?" To which Baelok replied, "Nope."
Celaeno raises both eyebrows toward formerly-Rawr. Whatever she imagined he would be, this was certainly not close. At least he seemed smarter than she imagined. “Her discomfort seems nothing compared to yours for snatching the covering. Were you afraid it would shrink from the cold and disappear entirely?” Cela’s bravado seemed to be holding fast, for the moment. The fact her curiosity nagged at her to find out what exactly went on in that binding ritual probably helped harden her spine some. She did break her stance a moment to reach behind into a side pocket of her pack and pull out some venison jerky and tosses it the enhanced corpse’s way. It was far too salty for her liking, but she secretly wondered if his tastebuds were causing the dislike of the cookies. She’d enjoyed them well enough when they were offered. “Did your benefactor happen to offer what they were saving her for? A reason behind the deal? Or did you just jump at it without asking questions like what the fine print said?”
At first, the undead man looked pissed off. Although, lacking the most basic features, he probably would look this way often. Celaeno's teasing caused the man's jaw to drop, and as it shifted to the left, popped a few times as if it were some sort of showcase to prepare for battle. "Heh." was the first thing to come out of his mouth. "Heh heh. Heh heh heh. Ha ha ha ha ha!" The laughter exploded out and he pointed at the silver-handed woman while speaking to Raevyn. "This one. Keep her close. She'll be good to get that stick outta your arse." The jerky was caught and sniffed at, a large chunk torn off with those chompers that needed a bad brushing. He didn't quite seem to object to the taste or texture. Raevyn rolled her eyes at Baelok, and once she felt it was safe, quietly moved part her friend and back to the chair she was originally sitting in. "Nope." he responded to Celaeno. "Protect the girl. Receive life. That was the deal. Don't care why. Though, I bet she knows why. Don'tcha girlie?" Raevyn's brow knit as she became troubled by the implications.
Celaeno ’s fingers tightened over her arms, the closest they could come to tensing as she grit her teeth behind her closed lips. It was when he started to laugh, guffaw even, that her body decided to betray her and her tawny face lit up with a red tinge. Oh how little he knew about the stick she was gradually dislodging from her own backside. She takes a breath, her shoulders relaxing as she let her hands hang back at her sides. Now that they had established the ruffian wasn’t an immediate danger, to her friend at least… She follows Raevyn’s example and returns to her own sitting place. Raevyn’s visible concern causes her to lean toward the young necromancer. “If you need anything, I’m here… I know we haven’t known each other for too long, but I can provide a shoulder for leaning on or an ear to listen, as the cliches goes, and am more than willing to help scheme so your life can be back on your terms…”
There was definitely hurt in the young woman's eyes. She was tired of the cryptic speak. She was tired of not knowing what she had gotten herself into. Anyone that appeared to be involved always seemed to mislead the girl for reasons she could not understand. And then there was Celaeno. Celaeno, as far as she could tell, was one of the few that seemed just as a clueless as she was. Someone who genuinely appeared to show concern. Though, could the woman be trusted? Raevyn didn't knoe much about her. What if she too were a spy sent by Larewen? "You lie." Those words, at first, seemed to be a direct response to Celaeno as her gaze was fixated on the table. And then, Raevyn turned toward Baelok, her words tainted with a distinct anger. "You. Lie. What aren't you telling me?" Baelok feigned innocence, "Excuse me? Kiddo, I surely have no idea what you're on about. I've saved you, remember? I've been there watchin' your ass every step of the way. Why the hell would I lie?" There was a shrug. "You spoke to Larewen. You know there is a way to separate you and whatever's inside. That'd be my guess- But it's purely a guess. I couldn't give a rat's ass either way." Another bite of jerky was tossed into the undead man's mouth, silently chewing as he watched the women. "I... thank you, Celaeno. Know that the feeling is mutual." Raevyn set that dead gaze over her friend, "There are very few I can count on in this land, but, I am hoping, no- I am sure that you will always be one of those."
Celaeno kept her gaze steady on her friend, even in the face of the supposed accusation before the truth came to light and a small, almost proud smile quirked her mouth. She wasn't the one dealing with so much uncertainly and had a feeling Raevyn was burgeoning into her own force to be reckoned with, at least that was her hope. "There very well could be more parts to the deal than you're letting on, Sir Parellius." But that would be the end of her two coppers on the matter. Cela places her hand over Raevyn's, consciously this time rather than on reflex. "Unto death and beyond, I'm afraid. You became a fast friend, my first here. Those do not come by me easy. You are resolutely stuck with me now."
Baelok scoffed and moved away from the table, a good stared own of the two wraiths that eyed him as he passed. "Could be." he stated, heading for the door. "You two enjoy your night. I've got a few things I need to go find. Maybe a few drinks to have. And by Sven, a damn cigar. I'll find you later, kiddo." The latter was obviously intended for the pallid girl. Raevyn had watched the undead, former knight make his exit, her attention soon shifted when Celaeno's hand fell upon her own. She breathed sharply through her nose and held her breath, the exhale drawn out when she spoke. "I am... glad." she said with a smile. "No matter what happens, we will stay friends, okay? Thick and thin." Those words were honest and heartfelt, but deep down they came from a place of worry.
Celaeno did her best do ignore the undead knight's parting quip as he left, keeping her gaze firmly on Raevyn, though a knot of dread settled itself in her gut and refused to go away. "I liked him better when he gurgled everything," she mutters once he left, only half joking. She gives Raevyn's hand a final squeeze before folding both her own back in her lap. "I've made the mistake of parting ways with someone I held dear before. I don't intend to make it again with you."
Raevyn could not help but to agree with that sentiment regarding the now loud mouthed guardian, although she would not comment. The smirk would say enough. She had all intentions of asking Celaeno to elaborate, but a wave of dizziness washed over the woman quite abruptly and her hand came to rest flat against the side of her head. She did not want to make it so obvious something was wrong, so she opted to state, "I... I think I am in need of a bit of sleep. I find myself a bit tired. My steed awaits not far from here, would you like a ride back to the dorms? Or will you stay to study?" The girl hoped that she did not come off as rude or anything. Much like the last time they met, she began to gather her things and put them back into the satchel while she waited for her half-elven friend's reply.
Celaeno wouldn't burden her friend with the story that moment. She gives her an understanding smile, falling for the excuse hook line and sinker. "I think I'll stay here to study. Call it a competitive urge with that long gone teacher of mine. Ride well. Stay safe. And try wearing a disguise next time you go visit Artia. It's worked for me well enough so far." She sets the minor book of the dead back in her lap and takes that deep breath. The cliff she'd teetered on further flickered on her face a moment, but she closes her eyes and takes the plunge, opening up the cover of the book and scanning over the first page.
Raevyn rises and offers a polite half-bow to the woman. "Very well. Don't stay up to late. Rest is important to keep your mind fresh." A knowing wink is offered before she responded, "I... might try that, thank you. Good night Celaeno. Be well." The girl turned then and headed for the door, sneaking on one final glance over her shoulder and smiling before she would make for the exit. There was much to mull over on the way home.