RP:I've Failed him
Larket General Store
Much like Cearl's shop in Kelay, this shop sells a mixture of everything: some plain food and drink, a little clothing, and weapons of only moderate nastiness. A bored looking man is picking his nose at the counter; on seeing you, he wipes his hands on his filthy tunic and leers at you with what he hopes is a winning smile.
Earthquake damage: Light
Valrae was arguing with the dirty shop keep. Her hair was pulled back in a fishtail braid, the intricate twists of it having worked themselves loose from the day's work, it hung in a messy golden line down her back. She was pushing back the strands that hung in her face with frustration saying, "You can't be serious! That's twice as much as you asked for yesterday and four times as much as the original price!" She was dressed in a tunic the color of sweet grass, a soft green that made her tired eyes seem brighter, and men's breeches that clung to her like a second skin. Her boots and the rest of her clothes were dusty. There was a streak of something black on her forehead above her golden brow. "I'm runnin' a business m'um, not a charity," The crooked merchant was telling her now, causing the witch to scowl. "You're a damn thief is what you are!" She all but hissed at him, rubbing her hands on her legs and fighting the urge to leap over the counter. The woman was tired, as most of Larket was, and had no patients for greedy little shop keeps who kept price gauging people who had just suffered great loss. The man had turned red at her accusation but she didn't bother to hear a rebuttal. "It's been three days, three, that I've been in here getting supplies for the rescue and rebuilding effort from you. You'll honor your original price or so help me I'll burn this entire building to the ground!" As if to prove her point, the fire in her hearth flared to dangerous life, as did the candles that dripped how wax in their copper containers. Gold was exchanged, the dirty shaggy haired boys that had accompanied her were laughing around her, arms full, as they carried out the sorely needed supplies.
Irenic lazily shuffled in right as the exchange began and his booted feet saunter menacingly toward the merchant. Along with Valrae's threat and Irenic's mere presence he seemed to tremble like a leaf, "Better listen to the lady…" His voice sounded harsh and tired, but the cashier tenders her purchases as she wishes it and Irenic walked away to the back of the store to find a shovel. His free hand clutching the spyglass so tight his knuckles were turning white under the blood and dirt . His mismatched eyes looked tired, his wings looked like they were a little less in the feather department and his skin was coated in dust, dirt, sweat and blood… Odd, he doesn't seem like the helping type, but he pulls out coin, "How much for the shovel…" His stare was blank and reddened as it would be evident he had cried recently especially since the dirt smudges on his cheeks proves it further. He finally looks down to Valrae, unable to smile although just the sight of her made him feel better, but he just stood there with Quizical's treasure in one hand and the shovel in the other while he pitifully said, "Hey, Valrae…" He took a deep breath as he made no attempts to embrace her or be romantic in this moment for this was quite a sad moment… The cashier took their gold and shooed them away so he sidesteps out of the way in hopes Valrae with follow as he tries to find the words to explain.
Valrae was surprised to find Irenic in the shop. He looked dirty and tired and... Had he been crying? She shooed the boys away, off with the supplies and marching orders, and followed the avian to the back. What would he need a shovel for? The witch kept her mouth shut as he made the purchase, luckily the keep didn't seem too keen on causing any more fuss, and followed him out of the store. "Irenic...? Is.. Is everything alright? Have you found him yet?" The man would know who she was asking for. They'd both been looking, Irenic tirelessly, for Quizzical since the earth quake that brought Larket to it's knees. Valrae had filled her time alternating between searching for the boy with the avian, trying to remind the man to eat and sleep, and trying to help in anyway that she could with the rest of the effort. She was tired and dirty and not ready for any answer Irenic could give her other than telling her they found the boy.
Irenic emerges out of the general store with Valrae and fell in front of her to his knees after dropping the shovel. His faces buries into her as more tears were coming and his arms, wings wrapped around her tightly as if holding onto the last bit of sanity that he could. "I found him…" His shoulders heave a bit with emotion, a rare emotion he isn't used to feeling and he starts to regret becoming so soft. "He was dead before I could save him…" His voice was raspy in a whisper, oh how he was so weakened from this that it is really out of character for him and no one has even seen him like this that bad, yet. He felt okay crying like this in front of Valrae though. Yes there were tears before this, but he was on his knees as a broken down man at the moment. He hopes she wont judge him harshly for being so weak currently, even though he hasn't slept well and hasn't eaten much in the midst of digging through what used to be the towering tenements .
Valrae 's arms were suddenly full. Even though Irenic was on his knees before her his face was level to about her chest the height difference was so great. She held him, as he held her, and he wept. Her heart ached painfully in her chest for the boy and the man. She could scarcely believe it, wanted to ask him if he were sure it was Quizzical... Her own tears slipped silently down her cheeks. What could she say? How do you comfort someone after such a loss? The shovel had clattered uselessly to the ground beside them and through her tears she stared at it and her heart broke. For a moment, she just help him and pressed kisses to the top of his head, brushed his hair back from his face and offered any quantum of solace she might give.
Irenic felt his bottom lip quiver under her kindness and eventually he found the strength to pull him up to his six eleven height. He swallowed hard while wiping his face before asking her, "Would you come help me, please?" Please?! For real, Irenic… You are so soft now I cant even with you. (Audible writers sigh here)… He leaned down to pick up the shovel and handed her the spyglass which he had to go back to the not so Towering Tenements to find in hopes she would take it and hold it so his hand was free to hold her in flight… Even though he said please it was as if he insisted because he would never say it, but he needed her right now… "I need you right now, Valrae…" What the?! Irenic I just said you wouldn’t say it… Anyway, there it is, Valrae went and made him corny and soft. Yeah, it's adorable, but surely Larewen would deem him useless now.
Valrae felt her heart break looking at the avian now. "Of course, Irenic," She said through her own tears, surprised he even felt he had to ask. "He was yours, and so he was mine." She reassured him. The witch held the spyglass in her hand as if it were the most precious treasure she'd held in her life. "I'm here, I'm right here and will be as long as you need." She didn't think it weak. The woman swiped at the tears that were falling down her cheeks with a free hand.
Irenic pulled her in close this time toward his chest so he may press a kiss to the top of her head and he held her tightly not for only safety, but for comfort as he soared into the night skies. Their flight was surely silent but she would feel his chest tighten and releases softly while silent tears were slipping out only to dry in the wind. His warmth would surely surround her in the cold night air and she could nearly feel the aching in his pounding heart. The reached the destination, the private beach in Rynvale where they spent their last adventure. This was where they shared their last smiles and he heard his last astonished amazement, but there was an avian there… One that was six eight, tan, white and purple hair who looked just as solemn and upset while watching over the little boy's body. It surely was Quizical with this scruffy hair matted with his own blood and his skin chalked in dust from he debris… Irenic would introduce Eloni, who would only be friendly and silent during the events to come while he started to work on a deep hole in the sand where it will never be touched.
Private Beach
Large campfire has been dug into this secluded beach surrounded by large grey stones to contain it. In the centre is a large stack of dry sticks and logs perhaps somebody is planning a get together here? This beach is in excellent condition as unlike the others it is fairly exclusive there is no littler to be found and smooth sand stretches for a fair distance in both directions you notice oddly that not even a single rock or piece of seaweed is out of place here and wonder if the owner has some strange enchantment on this area to keep it in it's pristine condition. You sigh contentedly as the waves crawl slowly up onto the shore leaving a darker shade of golden wet sand in their wake and wonder how long you can stay here enjoying the wonderful scenery, or how a cool dip might feel upon your tired frame.
Valrae held on tightly to Irenic through the silent flight to Rynvale. She felt warm, was surrounded by scent of sea and sand, but it was little comfort. Her chest ached for both the boy and the man. They landed on the beach, the one they'd had their last adventures, and she had to fight back a sob. It was several moments before she could bring herself to look in the direction of Quizzical's body. He looked too pale, too dirty, and it hurt her to seem him this way. As they made ready the boy's final resting place Valrae knelt beside the child and even though it pained her she cleaned the dust and dirt from him. When she finished she went back to Irenic, worried for him, and would pull him into another embrace. "He's a peace, Irenic," She whispered. "I know it, I swear." The witch pulled away from him just enough to look into his face. "You didn't forget him,"
Irenic was finished with the grave, tossing the shovel aside, when she came over and he had climbed out in enough time for the hug which he fully returned with a snuffle. "I hope so…" The last of her words pained him further as he looked down at the space between their feet. "I… I promised that I w-would protect him… I failed him." His hand went up to push into his eyes as if to stop anymore tears from falling… Irenic walked with Valrae under his arm, back to the boy as he picked him up, "I am so sorry Quizical… You would have made a family very happy…" His hands shook slightly as he brought his face up close to his own and kissed the top of the boy's (now cleaned) forehead. He landed into the grave he dug for Quizical and laid the boy out peacefully. A hand and glossy gaze was given to Valrae while asking for the spyglass so he may place it with the boy. Once Irenic brought himself out he stood next to Valrae while Eloni was opposite them. "Quizical…" He cleared his throat as he stood and held his hands crossed in front of him, "You were a very bright young man… You were apart of the shin-" He pauses a moment to wipe a tear and sniffle while gathering himself, "Shining part of my recent weeks… I saw a great deal of myself in you as I too was an orphan and I even went as far to think on you as my own…" A shaken sigh was given, "May you rest with the greatest of warriors for that is what you were to me… With love from Edlin Corier to Pete, better known as Squire Quizical…" His mismatched gaze would fall on Valrae as if waiting to hear her peace.
Valrae wanted to argue with the avian. Tell him that there was nothing to be done when things like natural disasters happened and that the boy wouldn't have held this against him... But it wasn't the time, wasn't the place, and it would be little comfort to the grieving man now. Instead she walked with him, watched over them both as the child was laid to rest while clutching the spy glass to her chest and letting her tears fall freely again. She handed it over sadly, almost sad to let it go. The witch held Irenic's had as he spoke, to reassure him and herself. It was almost too much to bare seeing Irenic, strong and proud, as he spoke his final words to Quizzical. There was an emotion filled moment stretching out between them now. She heard the waves crashing over the sand, felt the salty air moving through her hair, but nothing could comfort her. It was her turn to speak. Finally she said, "Quiz, you did make our family very happy." She pressed her hand to her mouth for a moment before continuing, "I'm so sorry you had to go so soon. Thank you for our adventures, I promise to look after our adult. I promise to never forget you."