RP:Jeers and Tears
Part of the Thy Kingdom Come Arc
Summary: Linn finds Laezila in the Frostmaw tavern to talk to her about a place to stay away from the giants for her. When he finally suggests finding a place to hide away for a while some of the giants who were less than appreciative of his actions in the past and present took it to begin insulting him. At Laezila's and Drargon's urging he leaves before another giant attempts to keep the drow inside, only to be tripped up before the two left. When they finally stopped to catch their breath and converse again a massive roar splits the air, bringing Linn to take them to the fort and find out what just happened with Hildegarde. Once at the fort they find everything in far too much chaos to investigate further before deciding to retreat to Talyara's cottage to warn her of the events.
Once at the cottage Talyara is informed of what's going on in the fort as Linn struggles with finding a new place for them to stay. Laezila settles on leaving Frostmaw as well to live on the road. After exchanging their farewells Laezila leaves, leaving Talyara and Linn to pack up and grab what they need before vacating the city while everyone is occupied at the fort.
Frostmaw Tavern
Laezila 's diminutive frame was perched upon a barstool before the lengthy counter that separated the general patronage of the establishment and the owner-slash-tender that ran it, with one smooth and slender leg crossed over the other at the knees but both wrapped in the clothing of taut, jeanlike pants. Her attire was of that, thick oak-colored boots, and a white, thick and Arctic-fur lined sweater that enveloped her torso and arms -a glittering hue in sharp similarity to the color of her shoulder-length hair. Both hands were curled around a glass full of untouched brandy, and a pensive expression was one her claw-scarred but youthful features.
Linn was perhaps a little bold coming back into the bar so soon after the events of last night, and the immediate silence of many of the bar’s patrons at the sight of his mithril-armored form clearly said it was –too- soon. Even Drargon expressed a silent note of disapproval at the enchanter, more for his sake than his own. Regardless the human continued as if nothing had ever happened, a usual nod ordering the usual meal as he caught the sight of Laezila before moving over to hop onto the stool next to her, unshouldering his pack before cautiously placing it between the stool and the bar rather than to the side, his booted feet resting on it to keep it secure. A few mutters and lingering stares came from the patrons around, though for now they held themselves from further action. Nodding to the drowess he cracked a small smile of greeting, “Hey there Laezila, did you get the note from Taly yet?”
Laezila wasn't doing very well with the growing ideology of racism and xenophobia that seemed to be hellbent on succeeding after the (relatively) peaceful reign of the Steward (a person whom the drow shed more tears over than she were willing to admit to any surfacer, let alone another of her kind) that had kept prosperity and integration entertained among the natives; the exploits of the war's end and redemption was quickly forgotten as Frost Giants began to look upon the young vampire not with the hate of a war, but the suspicion and paranoia that was befitting their increasing desire for isolation. Yet, in the ex-matron's mind, it was so much more, having thought of herself as having earned a place among the others in this city, and despite it having nothing to do with her personally, took it a bit more personally. Coupled with her own suspicious and paranoid nature, she closed up to most, and that did nothing to alleviate the stares and racism that surrounded her. But she had done nothing as of yet, not like Linn who had apparently earned the ire presented to him and did not spare the lithe young woman from being associated with him, and the drow's face -marred with those three lines of a discolored scar like a swipe across her countenance- turned to peer at the man with calculating, exotic, and intense blue eyes. "Yes. Just this morning. She said it was a bit crowded?" The question was more a demand to elaborate -drow ways returned quicker in the face of this tense paranoia that seemed to be slowly claiming Frostmaw. "I fear I must leave the Fort, regardless." With no Silver Knight to save her, she hadn't slept in a few days, and it was evident in the subtle bags beneath her eyes -one could hardly find sleep when afraid of whom might open the door.
Linn was more peeved than anything at the suspicion directed his way. Just as much he thought he found a place in Frostmaw where people cared more about getting each other through the constant fights in a city of war, only for it to begin crumbling with the steward’s death into fear of the outside. A fear that prompted secrecy and paranoia, exclusion, stagnation, failure. When his stew and cider came around he began eating, taking a break every now and then to slowly sip at the cider. His expression was tense and fixed forward over the bar, carefully listening for a shift behind him that would signal a move from the giants their way. The readiness wasn’t without merit either, many of the giants continued their lingering glances, one pair in particular never having taken their eyes off of him as they muttered among each other. Depending on her hearing Laezila may be able to capture the contents of their discussion, something about the shiny guy being with the elves, especially that one who shot Balder the other day. It certainly didn’t sound kind whatever it was. When she questioned about the cottage being crowded he sighed and nodded, “Yeah, we’ve been having to deal with a child who was brought in for us to take care of. I think you’ll be able to stay, but it might take a bit to get used to him.” A small smirk as he looked upwards, “And I’m staying there as well now with her. This shouldn’t be an arrangement that has to last too long. We’ll live.” When she spoke of leaving the fort he nodded weakly, “Likely. As crazy as it might be at the cottage at least you’ll be out of the way of the giants. They should ignore you at least.” He dropped to a low mutter, “Better than the alternatives right now…”
Laezila 's pointed and paling ebony ear twitched as she overheard bits and pieces of the hushed conversation of the giants, but that was the only evidence thereof; it wasn't entirely subtle, but her lack of a scene might serve the pair well in attempt to keep out of harm's way. "A child?" This changed things -it wasn't that she thought it was Talyara's, or even insofar of a distaste of children, but to put it bluntly -she was a vampire. And she was a still-freshly turned vampire, which made her self-control very little and the danger of being around her very high in regards to that. "I don't think it'll be particularly safer, then, at least, not for anybody else." The words were not apologetic or sorrowful, but rather cold and calculating -it was an apparent front, to veil any feelings or dismay, but the diminutive young woman refused to admit such. "You know what I am, and you know why. I will find someplace."
Linn sighed when Laezila spoke of the potential problems of her presence in the cottage with him and Talyara, though an understanding look crossed his disappointment. “It’s getting hard for all of us. Ayras is quite concerned for you as well. Hopefully he’s got an idea with how to help you out in all this. Much as I’ve been around I haven’t found anywhere that would make a good refuge from all this if needed… not that I’ve really looked yet…” her next statement brought a nod, “Maybe I could see if there’s someplace to hole up elsewhere. If you’d prefer vanishing for a while to any other options.” Low as his voice was he wasn’t able to prevent all of his words from slipping into indistinguishable mutterings to those outside of the conversation, the muttering giants catching enough to prompt them to rise from their seats before sending a couple jeers his way, loud enough for the entire bar to hear. “Vanishing eh? You going to run and hide?” they mocked, “Funny for someone who wears that much armor. That all because you’re afraid of getting a little hurt?” Linn blew out a sigh as his mouth twisted tightly, gauntleted fingers curling into the bar hard enough for metal to audibly scrape on wood as he turned with a fiery look at the approaching giants who threatened to close in on his personal space. “Please.” He spat out in return. “How many times have you been dragged into the healer’s rooms because you went out to do more than drink and boast?” he spoke venomously, knowing he at least had his own past to back him up on this topic.
Laezila 's intense gaze of nearly crystalline-light blue eyes, in their exotic contrast to the normalcy of the drow and therefore, the paling ebony skin of her scarred face, slid upon the approach of these Frost Giants to them by the periphery of her vision, before she turned her head in order to peer calculatingly out of the white locks of her glittering hair and over a slender shoulder. The mocking caused her to visibly tense, which wasn't aided at all by Linn's rebuttal; instead, her hand reached outward in order to lay gently and warningly on Linn's forearm, "It isn't worth it," she said to him, softly, in that biting melodic sound that was her drow accent. Stare resumed to the men, and despite her apparent submissiveness, there was something in them that hinted at a dangerous past; nobody gets to be matron of a drow house, after all, without being able to hold their own. "Please, we don't -want- any trouble."
Linn was unable to feel Laezila’s hand rest on his forearm, courtesy of the rigid plating that encased it. The giants had something else in mind for the enchanter though, his past, while able to prove its point, was able to prove some of theirs as well. “Not that you going out has ever led to anything good. You’ve brought back nothing but troublemakers.” He stayed silent, the muscles in his neck tightening as he bit his tongue from any more words, Laezila’s own bringing his head snapping around much faster than it should have as if he forgot she even existed before he breathed another tight breath, catching Drargon’s gaze out of the corner of his eye as he looked at the drowess. The bartender said nothing, though he needed no words for his silent demand, ‘don’t.’ It was enough… to get him to compose himself, wordlessly kicking the pack out from its wedged spot to pick it up and shoulder it to move out and leave the bar, tugging at Laezila’s arm with the last of their contact to bid her to come as well. He’d hang right outside the doorway until she came so they could leave, or if something happened that required him to re-enter.
Laezila lifted herself up with a silent glance toward Drargon at the behest of the small tug at her arm, but space elongated between them as she had to turn in order to grasp the cocoa with a single paling dark hand that wrapped its slender fingers around the glass. It was lifted, brought to her lips, and drained before placed back on the bar, her other hand depositing a few gold coins along the bartop. When the ex-matron turned back, she would hurriedly head toward the door, with her head ducked and hoping that those two Frost Giants don't bar her way.
Linn so decisively slipped from the bar that the giants had little time to throw him anything more than another jeer, “Go, run like the weak human you are.” The other in the pair ordered, the entire bar watching the antics unfold as the ‘shiny guy’ slipped right out the door to seemingly nowhere. Laezila’s hopes would be dashed, another giant having taken his stance at the door to block her path out, “And where do you think you’re going.” The enchanter listened carefully, the words prompting the door to crack open, just wide enough for his head to peer at the giant’s massive form blocking the way out before he reached his foot in as well. With a sharp click of metal on wood he tapped his boot on the floor right next to his feet before withdrawing. Instantly the giant slipped inexplicably to crash to the ground, the ground for a scant second holding no traction for him to stand up. Whatever caused such a thing was met with mixed reactions around the bar: a few were amused at the humorous twist of events, many more were stunned, and a couple who saw the mithril-plated boot rose in outrage at his repeated antics. The door was left open for the drowess to make a speedy escape, and perhaps it was best to do so right now.
Laezila 's form staggered a step due to the sudden eclipse of the door by the massive frame of the giant that stepped to impede her path. "I'm..." She stuttered for a moment, but thankfully it was all the time needed before the inexplicable way that the male succumbed to some unseen force. It was over that which the drow pushed and leapt over the fallen Frost Giant form in order to rush toward the door. A heavy hand grasped hold of the young vampire's forearm and a heavy rip was heard as the sleeve of the sweater ripped clear off, exposing the slender and paling arm of the woman as she burst through the threshold and outside.
Linn winced at the ripping before Laezila leapt out the door, prompting a quick sigh of relief. When she hit the snow-covered ground she’d find it unusually hard, the loose powder not giving way under her weight with the enchanter nearby. “Alright. We’re gone.” And with a quick wave off to the side he motioned for them to head out, his own form noticeably standing on top of the snow, rather than having sunk into it, leaving no tracks. She’d find the effect to linger on the surface for her if she trailed behind him as well. If allowed he’d lead them through a few odd twists and turns to end up someplace they shouldn’t have given the direction they left the tavern, their lack of a trail covering the rest. Once they had made it to a distant spot he’d blow out another sigh, looking a little crestfallen before muttering a soft curse, “Sorry about all of that. The giants in that bar probably weren’t so happy with me after last night.”
Laezila quickly followed in the wake of Linn, every twist and turn of the city she had come to know and once believe as her own, as a community that accepted her. It turned out, now, in the growing paranoia and suspicion of the xenophobic ideals that were progressing within the city. That was the first time she had been attacked, however, or rather, threatened; as they stopped, the girl clutched at her chest, breathing hard. Too hard, hyperventilating, almost.
Linn, finally satisfied they had fully dodged the situation in the bar blew out another tight sigh, offering the drowess a small hug in an attempt to comfort her. In the cold of the city his face was quickly beginning to turn red, his unnaturally bright blood doing nothing to help the subject. He seemed to be able to connect to what Laezila was feeling, though he found himself more supremely disappointed in the situation than anything. “I think they were trying to force my hand more than anything back there. Wanted to pull me back into a fight. I’m sorry you had to play a role in that attempt. I’ll… I’ll look for a place for you to stay. I can’t guarantee it will have many people around considering the bounty, but someplace out of the way to go back to while we figure all this out.”
Laezila did not want the bounty to come up; the less that the commonfolk knew about it, the better, as it might spare her from that being used in order to further the racist and propogate the cause of the Frost Giants that were separating from the other races. As well as her life, coupled with the lack of attention from the drow, and she might just survive all of this. Slowly, she garnered back her breath from the near-hyperventilating panic attack, with both hands clinging tight to Linn's shoulders, only one releasing in order to fan herself lightly.
Linn put his hands on Laezila’s shoulders in return to remind her that he was still there, though he refrained from fully pulling her into a hug, still not entirely sure beyond a doubt that he wouldn’t be bit. He glanced around them to find no one nearby before breathing a sigh of relief, the two of them suddenly sinking into the snow like they should have with a small jolt as he released the spell he forgot he was holding. “You okay?” he said softly, worry in his expression for her.
The air rends with the rolling of thunder, punctuated by the sharp rapport of lightning. Fingers of heavenly electricity wend and wind their way across the sky, emanating from Frostmaw Fort. A high-pitched whine peals through the air, like a choir of screams that fall upon dischordant notes in a disharmonious strain. A great draconic roar echoes out afterward, all other sounds fading in its wake.
Laezila shook her head; she had no idea. She had no idea what was going to happen. In fact, the thought downright terrified her. She wished Hildegarde was alive. The Steward was so badly missed; the young vampire wished this would all go away, go back to how it was, accepted and safe. But the Steward was dead. That simple concept caused the woman's lithe body to shudder, and visibly she held back tears. Then, that roar. It ripped through the air; it broke her down into tears -into sobs. "Hilde-" she cried.
Linn’s head snapped upwards as the thunder began. There was no storm up above just a few moments ago… Blinking at the lightning his eyes traced the streaks to where they converged on the fort before he recoiled at the dragon’s roar. A huge grin lit itself on his face, containing a stewing mixture of joy, relief, and anticipation at the sound. Whatever was happening in the city, it was going to change pace one way or another. Laezila’s words behind him brought his head to turn back, his grin weakening slightly seeing her cry, though he remained in a smile, “The wait’s over. Let’s go see what that was. Our luck, Hildegarde’s back.” He was intensely optimistic at the sound, reaching around the drowess before pulling her in the direction of the fort to take them both there.
Frostmaw Fort Main Room
The roar that pierced the air had certainly brought in more than just Linn and Laezila. More giants were making their way through the fort’s gates which were left unguarded, those who stood watch occupied elsewhere within. The two would be able to slip into the fort without too much conflict, the entire crowd directed towards the much bigger issue at hand. Much of the noise was coming from the throne room, coming out as a drone of stamping, heavy footsteps, banging fists, and muddled shouting.
Laezila was thrown from her mourning and the interjection of grief that had her sobbing out the very name that now resonated throughout the entire Fort in what began nearly incomprehensible became swiftly defined with repetition in the booming, giant-owned voices that chorused throughout the building. It was in the midst of winding corridors and throughout the hallways of high and overarching ceilings that the vampire abruptly grasped hold of the wrist of the man, to powerfully tug him back into a doorway. And thus began a stampede of Frost Giants beside them, missed narrowly by the inlet of the door. The drow's nostrils flared with the scent of blood, but she hissed, "This is -not- safe. I loved Hildegarde. More than... But she would haunt me if we were killed over her body."
Linn’s gaze was fixed forward towards the focus of the noise, trying to skirt the edge of the giant crowd and keep pace with it where he had to in order to get close to the center of the chaos. When he was finally torn from his pursuit by Laezila he turned towards the drowess, eyes fiery as he was kept from satisfying his curiosity. Her denial of continuing was met with a tight sigh, “I have to at least see where all this is going.” He tossed his head towards the throne room that so many of the giants were rushing to. “I’d think we would hear her if she was here…” he began to muse when the voice of Balgruuf suddenly boomed over the chaotic din, “Get that wall open! Kill them!” he roared, his voice carrying clearly to where the two hid in the doorway. The enchanter looked stunned at the statement, his expression blank, unsure what to feel or think as his mind raced uselessly.
Laezila kept her hands upon the shoulders of the man in order to attempt to push them back against the wall in an attempt to keep the armored male there. At least, an attempt, to make evident that she did not think it was a good idea to continue onward. "They'll tear us apart." She insisted, but there was something else; that delicious scent and tantalizing sound of blood rushing through veins. The tiny drow inhaled sharply, and even leaned her face in toward his neck for a moment, before her exotic eyes closed. "She's gone. Ayras told me. These giants are going to kill each other. And anything in their way."
Linn’s usual will was rather broken by indecision in his stunned state, Laezila’s words getting to him as he began to relax and nod slightly. “Alright.” His heart suddenly skipped a beat at another thought, “This isn’t going to go well for Taly. We have to go let her know. We need to figure out what to do and fast.” He craned his neck out the doorway to look by, flinching backwards as another giant rushed by before sending a glance back the way they came. “Let’s go.” And just like that, he was starting to rush off again, this time against the flow of the crowd to leave the fort for Talyara’s cottage.
Lharast Cottage
Talyara had another long day with Bachias. As always, the house was a mess, books pulled from the various shelves and thrown all over the room; somehow the child even managed to upturn one of the commodious armchairs near the fireplace. Bachias had tuckered himself out and passed out in the back bedroom, Stitch snoring happily right beside him, a few moments ago and Taly found herself leaning against the counter and heaving a large sigh. Baking had been the attempted activity today and the witch found herself covered in flour, complete with some smears on her cheeks and in her chestnut tresses. Large, emerald eyes blinked furiously and she fanned her face in an attempt to stave off the tears that threatened to spill over. Once she was sure she wouldn’t breakdown, she moved about the cottage to straighten up and pick up the mess that Bachias had made, all the while thinking of that extraordinary roar she heard come from the fort some time ago.
Linn came rushing right out the doors of the fort, his non-giant form fortunately allowing him to slip by the crowd of giants in the doorways along with Laezila before running his way to Talyara’s cottage. When he finally knocked it wasn’t the light, sharp knocks that usually came, rather the leather side of his fist banged against it a couple times before opening it up, the enchanter panting from the run, though not quite out of breath just yet. Seeing the condition of the cottage he sighed again. “Things are going to hell in the fort.” He stated as he walked over to Talyara before reaching around her for a hug, at least taking care not to tighten it too much due to the armor over his body. “I’m… I’m not too sure how much longer we can stay here at this rate.”
Laezila was immediately swept away from the Fort and managed to keep up with Linn toward the cottage at a pace that began to betray the augmentation of vampirism and the speed associated with it. When she stepped inside, the woman with the scar across her face in the fashion of a claw's swipe lingered by the front door and even pushed it closed behind her; the young female was hesitant to enter, to place them all in danger -danger from her. She was a fledgling vampire, after all, one that was not entirely in control.
Talyara jumped when she heard the sharp knocks on the door, quickly moving behind the chair she had just righted as a means of some type of cover. They didn’t sound like Linn’s normal raps, and after last night’s issue with the giants, which left her with an impressive shiner, she was worried it might be them. When her bright green eyes found the enchanter and Laezila entering the cottage she breathed out a relieved sigh, moving to meet them. She returned Linn’s hug only to pull away and give him a confused look, her short lived smile twitching into a frown. “What’s wrong? What’s happening?” She immediately moved past the enchanter, however, and straight to Laezila, who she pulled into a tight hug. “Are you guys okay?”
Linn’s panting began to slow now that they had finally escaped to the cottage and he knew that Talyara was alright. “I’m sure you heard the roar. Which means Hildegarde’s probably alive, and it set off something big. We went to the fort to see what it was only to run into way too many giants making their way to the throne room. Something about taking a wall down.” He breathed out another sigh, “I have a feeling we won’t be able to stay here long. The giants were starting to actually do something about me before all this started up and now… I don’t think it’s safe for me to be here anymore.” Taking his face in his hands he looked up before drawing them away. “Probably not safe for any of us.”
Laezila breathed in the enticing scent of blood that rushed through the witch's veins as the best friend of the drow brought her into a tight hug. The two were both of such diminutive sizes, Linn practically could dwarf the both of them as the paling ebony woman kept her arms wrapped tight around her best friend. "Nowhere safe," she muttered, "I can't go with. The drow, the bounty, the thirst..."
Talyara held onto Laezila for quite some time, it had been way too long since the two had seen one another. “You’re not safe here, either. What if the giants get to you?” Taly inclined her head towards Linn to see him drop his face into his hands, his comment causing her to relinquish her grip on Laezila and move back to him, wrapping her arms around him in a comforting hug. It seemed that her day wasn’t as bad as she thought. She looked between the enchanter and the vampiress. “I didn’t even think that could be Hildegarde,” she spoke quietly as the thought dawned on her. Her face screwed up into concern once more as she looked back upon Linn, “But where will we go?”
Linn breathed out a slow sigh, “I have no idea. We’d need someplace out of the way ourselves to give Bach some more time as well. You could probably stay with him in the forests or the mountains for some time but we’d want something better to actually make things livable for him.” His foot tapped rapidly as he began thinking again. “I can search for a place for us. The Xalious mountain range has good enough weather we don’t need too much shelter if we aren’t going to deal with the people in a town. It also has enough places that would be pretty out of the way.” He began lightening up, breathing a soft huff, “I don’t think I’m going to be getting any sleep for quite a few nights in the future. Especially with Hildegarde back up and… wherever she is.”
Laezila snapped at Linn, "She's dead!" Ayras had driven the point into the skull of the younger vampire, who trembled on the verge of tears -how could Linn be so certain that Hildegarde was alive? Idiot. Idiot! It was the maddening grief that she felt, that yearning to be held and loved by the Steward, to be safe with her once more. A snort exhaled through her nostrils -she'd never feel it again, she believed. "Hildegarde is dead," a breath, "And I'll have to just... live on the road, or something."
Talyara ’s fear was not tempered at Linn’s suggestion of living in the woods. Just the opposite happened, for panic began to overtake the witch whose body began to tremble slightly. She could barely take care of Bachias here in an enclosed, small cottage. How was she supposed to do it out in the forest? Taly sunk to her knees and knotted her fingers in her lap, only jumping slightly at Laezila’s snap at Linn. The half elf could sympathize with the drow, not wanting to get her hopes up after someone so close was taken away so suddenly. “I can’ just leave you here,” she finally spoke quietly to her best friend.
Linn winced at Laezila’s sharp words before slightly shaking his head. He worked on the heart himself, and he knew the people who led that project. If anyone could have managed the details of the complications of such a revival, it was Leone and Alvina. He’d only believe the steward was dead if he saw her body himself at this point. Left repeating the slight side to side motion he only managed a slight muttering, “Just have to look…”
Laezila narrowed her eyes on Linn for his words then; she would not endure the heartache again. But instead of sharply responding to the man, the woman merely shook her head in disappointment at the tactlessness used and twisted to sink beside the half-elven witch. "You'll have to leave me, Taly. Ayras will teach me, we'll live on the road. Then one day, we'll meet back in Sage, okay?" Her arms wrapped around the other woman, "Hilde would've wanted us to be safe."
It was Taly’s turn to bury her face in her hands, rocking back and forth slightly in an attempt to take the edge off her anxiety; no one needed her to go into a full blown panic attack then. Laezila’s arm around her shoulders caused her to tense for a moment before her muscles relaxed. “I am sure he is a target, too. He is known Hilde supported, plus an elf on top of that.” The witch shook her head sadly. She had thought today couldn’t have gotten any worse, and she was more wrong than she ever thought possible. Turning back to Linn, her emerald eyes shining with tears caught his colorless ones. “How much time do we have? Can this wait until morning?”
Linn didn’t notice Laezila’s gaze narrow on him at all, completely lost in his own thoughts as he wracked his mind for a place for Taly and Bach to stay. There were many places they could go for solitude, but none of them capable of supporting a camp with the supplies they had on hand. It was only until he was directly addressed that he jolted to attention with a quick “What?’ With a blink, a sigh, and a quick shake of his head to clear his mind he scratched his forehead. “I’d rather slip out while everyone’s occupied in the fort. I want to know you all are safe while I go looking for some place we can properly set up for a while. With everything going on right now… who knows what tomorrow morning would hold for us.” His foot tapped rapidly as he spoke, “And I doubt we’ll be returning here for a while. If we go now we’ll have to take what we need to support ourselves.”
Laezila kept her arms around her best friend, but remained silent; her own situation had been explained, and all she could do was hope that her friend would be okay. A reassuring squeeze was offered to the woman from the equally small drow. "It's time for me to go. We will meet again, Talyara, if we must escape."
Laezila’s departing words were too much for Talyara to take. She quickly swept the vampiress in her arms to give her a tight squeeze and offer a quick “be safe” before scurrying off to the back room and closing the door shut behind her with a snap. Only then would the witch sink to the ground and allow the silent sobs to overtake her. Nobody she loved was safe here and she could not protect any of them. Laezila and Taly had been separated for quite some time only to be reunited tonight to...what? Be ripped apart once again. On the verge of homelessness with a misbehaved child, Taly felt she was well within her rights to have a good cry for a moment. It was a good thing Bachias was such a heavy sleeper for he didn’t even budge.
Linn remained silent as Talyara and Laezila made their farewells before allowing Talyara a little time for herself, eventually cracking open the door quietly to sit down next to the witch. His armor plates had been removed, left stacked up next to his pack in the kitchen for now as he reached around her for a hug, painfully swallowing as tears threatened to take him as well. Right in front of his eyes, he saw the city he had come to call his home crumbling to what forced him from his first one. His only solace was the witch and those he knew would fight for the old Frostmaw, and he couldn’t afford to let any of them be dragged down with what was happening to it. He had to keep forging his way forward though if they wanted to make it out of this. He had to find a backup as soon as he could. For now he would take the time with Taly to let her compose herself first though before they tried to figure out what to do. They had to be in on this all together.
Talyara did not protest when Linn joined her in the bedroom and drew her to him in a hug. She wanted to apologize for acting so weak in this moment when she should be strong, how she hadn’t even offered him any support after dealing with...whatever he needed to deal with at the fort. But for now, she couldn’t quiet her tears, so for now she simply cried against his shoulders. After a few more moments she pulled back, her black eye now completely swollen shut and said the very thing that had been plaguing her heart since Linn and Laezila had come into the cottage. “I’m scared.”
Talyara would find tears welling up in Linn’s eyes as well as he gazed back at her when she finally pulled back to look at him, pain clear in his eyes. Focusing briefly on her black eye he brought his hand up to her face to cover it before he grit his teeth, trying to recall as much of the soothing feeling as he could from his times healing under the Xalious tree and extending it to her swollen face. It probably wouldn’t do much, it might not even do anything at all depending just how sensitive she was to the magic, but he couldn’t help but try. When she confessed her feeling he nodded with a soft “I know.” With a soft sigh he continued, “I’ve lived this before. It’s hard, and it’s awful, but we still have time to get out before it gets worse. We’ll live. We’ll get through this all together.” Steel began creeping into his voice again, the enchanter sternly denying the world its opportunity to break him a second time on the same subject.
Talyara wasn’t sure whether the presence of Linn’s tears made her feel worse, his own pain evident, or better in that he could empathize with her feelings. When he lifted his hand to cup her bruised up, her emerald one which was fine (save for being bloodshot and swollen from her crying) fixed on his face questionly. She feel coolness, as if snow were being applied, even though nothing was there beside his hand. It did nothing to change the black and blue or swelling, but it wasn’t -quite- as painful as it had been. When he spoke of living this before she shifted to sit upon his lap, wanting nothing more than to just sit in his arms in their home for a few minutes longer. Her arms came up to wrap around the enchanter as well, wanting to give him as much comfort as he was giving her. “If it was just us, I wouldn’t be as concerned...but what of Bachias?”
Linn smiled weakly at Talyara’s questioning look. Really he had no idea if what he was doing was working, but he knew it couldn’t hurt at least. As she went to sit in his lap he reached his arms fully around her to pull her close, his breath quivering slightly. Her words brought a slow shifting of his head that was probably a nod. “That’s why I want to go looking immediately. Any other situation we could just find an inn to stay for a while or even out in the forest. We need privacy for him. I know the mountains hold a lot of nooks that we might be able to take shelter in, and it’s not that far from Xalious to get supplies. Most of the events down there have finally calmed down, there have been a few lingering sightings of the mutated monsters, but they’re few and far in between now.” He sighed, “I can take all of tonight searching without a problem. I just don’t know if it’s better to skip the crowds and carry Bachias out tonight or chance it and go in the morning.”
Talyara leaned her head against Linn’s shoulder as he wrapped his arms around her, her breathing finally slowing after her small breakdown. Her gaze shifted to the bed where Bachias was still fast asleep before breathing out a heavy sigh. “If you think it’s best to leave tonight, we should leave tonight.” Again, Taly spent most of her time holed up in the cottage with Bach so she was unsure of the true nature of what had been going on, especially tonight with the fort. Should Linn affirm their plan to leave tonight she would tilt her head up to peck his lips lightly before slowly standing and moving to her wardrobe.
Linn sighed as the decision was set on him. “I’d prefer we go tonight. You two can find a safe place while I look. Or if Bachias wakes up and has all the energy in the world, he could come with me.” As Talyara got up he would as well, colorless eyes fixing on the outfit he had made for the ball inside with a weak smile. “I can always get another one… but first…” He reached out to the center of the felt tunic where all of the crimson mana-crystal threads met to touch the junction before pulling his hand back, the thread sticking and drawing out of the outfit before he spun it around his finger and removed it, the material returning to its hard, stony form once he finished winding it. “Alright, I’ll get the cooking supplies we’ll need. If there’s anything else we’ll need let me know and I’ll pack it.” With that he left into the kitchen again, opening his pack to begin putting the utensils and knives in some of the side pockets first. While the gems made it heavy, they were fortunately small and left a lot of space to be filled.
Talyara watched Linn curiously when he began to withdraw his mana crystal thread in his felt outfit before turning to her own task. Several bags are pulled out, all with the same charms as her pouch; in one she stuffed all of her and Bach’s clothes, opting to leave her heavies furs behind. In the other she began to place folded blankets and pillows. When she was done she moved out to the common area, sadly looked at all of the books she would have to leave behind. Only two were plucked from the shelf, an old leather bound book which was her Book of Shadows, and a smaller, plain black covered thing which was her sketchbook, both of which were placed in the bedding bag. She would wait for Linn to be done and give the okay before going in to fetch Bachias and Stitch.
Linn packed much of the lighter utensils along with a few pots and pans and bowls into the extra space in their pack, silently thankful they had the luxury of magic to fulfill the more complicated things that might be needed. By the time he was done his pack was positively stuffed, about twice as large as it usually was. Catching her looking at the books he cracked a small smile, “Any one of those you want us to keep? I don’t have any more room in my pack but I can copy one of them quickly into my ring. No time for all of them though.”
Talyara ’s fingers were running along some of the spines of the books, her heart almost breaking at the thought of leaving them behind. When Linn spoke it drew her attention to him and she offered the enchanter a sad smile before shaking her head. “No that’s okay…” she trailed off before moving into the kitchen area. “Did you get everything that we might need?”
Linn sighed with another nod. “Hope we can come back to find them again one of these days.” When she asked about having everything he shrugged, “I think so. If I missed anything, well, I can buy us a new one. Shouldn’t be much to a man who keeps a bag full of gems on him…” it was a small, offhanded jest just to try and lighten the mood, as little as it might do given the current situation. Reaching down he lifted his pack up with another sigh before slinging it around his shoulders. “Little heavy but I’ll manage. At least we’re not going *up* the cliff.” He nodded towards the bedroom, “They ready to go?”
Talyara nodded towards Linn when he asked if she was ready, moving to the door to slide on her boots and strap her cloak around her throat before going to fetch Bachias (making sure to grab his boots and jacket as well). When she walked past Linn she cupped his face gently, “You need to let me charm that pack of yours one day,” she offered with a small smile. Once in the bedroom she would force Bachias into his boots and jacket before lifting him into her arms, and adjusting his body so his cheek pressed against Taly’s shoulder. “C’mon Stitch!” She called out to the puppy who gave a snort of protest but eventually jumped from the bed. “Will you be able to carry my bags as well? They should have no weight to them.”
Linn grinned as Taly cupped his face before chuckling at the offer, “I’d rather stay used to the weight. But we can always make a second for something like that.” He released a melancholy sigh, knowing they might not ever see this place again. But they had what mattered and that was each other. When she asked about carrying some of her own bags he nodded, “Yeah.” It took a bit of work but eventually he figured out how to fit them all while keeping his own hands free, going as far as putting some of the smaller pouches within the ones on his belt before making his way to the door. “We’ll make do…” he attempted to reassure them all as they had to set out on yet another journey without a home.
Talyara hoisted Bachias once more to get a better grip on him before turning to look at her cottage once more, mentally memorizing it in the off chance they wouldn’t return. She felt her heart break all over again, a few more tears rolling down her cheeks despite her resolve to remain strong. She had built this home and now she was fleeing from it. Shaking her head sadly, she shoulders her way through the door, unable to bear the thought any longer.