RP:Jerk of a Brother

Part of the Lies Within Us Arc

Summary: Despite Magik’s wishes for Meri to stay at home, Rumiko and Meri end up joining the fight to reclaim the Mage’s Guild tower in an effort to try and keep their family safe.

Treehouse D’Chath

Rumiko hadn't meant to stay gone for so long, though if she were being honest, she wasn't exactly sure just how long she had been gone. Time moved differently in the dark palace. The hair she'd cut up to her shoulders upon her arrival on the shores of Rynvale had grown long enough now that she had crimson ringlets pinned to the back of her skull, leaving her slender, pale throat exposed where it peeked out from underneath a choker of smoky colored diamonds. The nymph remained in the darker colors she was so often seen in, settling for a corset styled evening gown that was flared at the hips and fell in satin waves to her ankles, leaving naught but the toe of her black stilettos' to show as she moved from her room and entered the main portion of the tree house. The only sign that anything other than sleep had come to the woman whilst locked within her room, was the ever fading ring of crimson that was bleeding back into the emerald of her eyes. It was tea she was after today, nimble fingers opening cabinets and drawers to find a mug, spoon, and hopefully a decent blend.

Meri :: In the short time that Rumiko has known Meri, the blonde has demonstrated that she’s not really the sort to dress up. The tattooed woman has always had a bit of a rough and tumble look to her but today Meri looks like she has put a bit less effort into her appearance than the norm. It honestly looks like the woman has spent the entirety of her day in the pajamas that she wore to bed last night. That is to say that the blonde is currently barefoot, wearing a pair of black cotton shorts, and a baggy shirt that has paint stains all over it. Meri’s arrival in the room comes a few minutes after Rumiko, maybe the woman caught the nymph’s scent or maybe she heard her rummaging through the cupboards. Did it really matter? Meri joins her and when she does Rumiko is not greeted in the blonde’s usually friendly way. That’s not to say that Meri is going out of her way to be rude, but the blonde is definitely a bit...flat with her emotions, compared to normal. Mix that with the sloppy state of dress...were Meri and Magik having a fight or something? That might explain Meri’s blah mood. “Hey,” Meri says to the redhead as she flops into a stool. “What are you looking for?”

Rumiko 's motion through the kitchen slows as she hears the shuffle of bare feet behind her. It is only a momentary pause as she opens another cupboard and releases a soft noise at locating the mug she was looking for. She rose up onto her toes to reach it, and fingers wrapped gingerly around the handle as she lowered herself back to the floor. There was a soft jump as the feminine voice broke the silence rather then that of her brother as she'd expected, and a lofted brow was offered over her left shoulder so she might set eyes upon the lycan and get an appraising look. There was no judgment for the blonde's lack of dress, but rather the barest hint of jealousy for her ability to be comfortable, even in the presence of company. "Good..." What time was it even? "Um, tea." The mug was grasped with both hands, leaving the nymph looking just as slight as she really was- her fingers hardly touching around the ceramic cylinder. "Are you alright?"

Meri might have smirked when Rumiko jumped under different circumstances, but there is not even a flinch of a smirk on Meri’s normally red lips. Today they are bare, it was just too much work. Rumiko’s question about what is wrong is heard but Meri is not quick to address it. She instead presses her lips together briefly while she mulls over how to spit it out. “Do you mind making me a cup too while you are at it?” This was not a ploy to try and put off answering Rumiko, Meri’s prone to those antics sometimes, today it is a sincere want. Meri has never been great at expressing emotions like sadness or concern, as it meant being vulnerable, so these next words might sound a bit angrier than the blonde intends. “Your jerk of a brother ran off to some big mage fight that he’s been very worried about even if he tries to pretend like he is not and left me here to do this…” Meri motions vaguely at herself as she rolls her eyes in frustration.

Rumiko dipped her head at the request for tea, and she'd turn back to reopen the cabinet she'd pulled her own mug from. It was to the canisters on the counter she moved towards next, fingers prying open the lids as she peeked inside to find, "Aha!" Loose leaves and flowers were packed inside the smallest jar, and the nymph was scooping out a spoonful each as Meri spoke of a fight. Rumi's head bobbed as she listened, the soft clicking of her heels the only sound from her as she filled each glass with water then settled the bottom of each mug in her palms. She was quiet, but not ignoring the other woman as she closed her eyes and focused on the cups in her hands. Only when steam started to roll off the tops of the water would she pass one of the beverages to Meri. "Left you here to drink tea with me?" A single brow rose as she brought the rim of her glass to her lips. She knew that wasn't what the artist meant, but she continued anyway. "I find that hard to believe, I only just returned myself. I am sure he thought you better off here for other reasons, no?" Despite hearing that her sibling might be in danger, the once druid kept her demeanor calm and collected. At least on the outside.

Meri :: There was a bit of a snort, born out of amusement for Rumiko’s words, but Meri couldn’t quite muster a full on chuckle to express this amusement. Those Lyastri and their wiley answers. Meri’s amusement is short-lived and what was initially coming off as frustration or annoyance with Magik seems to simmer down. Rumiko’s question has a lift of a brow coming from Meri, who is focusing on her tea while she contemplates how to answer. It’s not that it was a confusing question, just that even Meri was aware that Rumiko had to know what the artist had meant. “No, that is just some fortunate timing.” Company was surprisingly nice to have in this moment, even if Meri was not in her usually mischievous spirits. The blonde wrinkles her nose up a bit, “Are you familiar with the Mage’s Guild? Quite a few members to it, well. They lost their entire tower, it was forcibly taken over months ago by some group…And now the Mage’s are finally trying to take back what they lost.” Meri frowns at this point, still having not touched her tea. She retrieves a letter and slides it across the way to Rumiko. It basically reads ‘if I don’t make it back, things have been great and I love you..but you’re not going to this fight’. There might be a few more words, but it’s a short and sweet letter. The blonde continues to grump toward Rumiko over this issue, “He doesn’t want me there because he’s being stubborn over if something happens to me. But what if something happens to him?” Meri wrinkles her nose up. “I’d feel better if I was there and had a healer with me…”

Rumiko shook her head back and forth, stopping mid-swing as her memory returns to her, "Oh, yes. Vaguely." She remembered her father- adopted though he was- telling her about it, and trying to urge her into taking up lessons within. The idea that someone, or several someone's, had come to take what had belonged to the mages for as far back as the nymph could remember was troublesome indeed, and a slight frown tugged at her lips as she reached forward to take the offered note. The woman's green irises started to shift again, the color darkening around the edge. Were Meri close enough, she might feel the air around her plunging down a few degrees. The artists words drew the shorter woman back out of her head, and her expression didn't change as she slid the note back, knowing exactly how precious it would be should Magik fail to return. "He does not want you there not because he is stubborn, but because he loves you. He could not stand to see you fall, and would not rest within the next life should you witness the same from him." Seeing the one you love die was never something pleasant. "Therefor, he would be so focused to watching your back, that he might not be able to watch his own." The tea was pulled back up so Rumi might take another sip, and her gaze fell to the untouched mug within the blonde's hands. "I am sure there will be those with healing present. Least he had better have planned for such." It would be difficult enough if she had to return home to find her brother there waiting, without her having to tear him asunder for being an idiot.

Meri noticed these subtle shifts in demeanor, but she does not express this observation with words. It was internalized, but in a good way. It was not every day that Meri met someone who could approach these same situations with the same stoicness that she was attempting and it made Rumiko all the easier to talk to. The blonde makes a cross-eyed expression toward Rumiko before releasing a deep sigh and admitting, “You’re right.” The blonde finally lifts the cup of tea and sips from it, trying to collect her thoughts a bit more coherently from Rumiko. “I don’t think he’s stubborn or a jerk. He’s pretty amazing and he better come back so I can say some things too.” Meri motions to that letter she has not picked up yet with a brief toss of her chin to suggest what she was currently wishing she had a chance to get off her chest. Despite the fact that Meri does actually understand all of these points, despite the frustration, she pulls another cross-eyed expression. “Can you imagine if the shoe was on the other foot though? And Magik was the one sitting where I am?” Magik would probably be the one calling Meri the stubborn jerk. Meri did not want or need an answer to her last question, her voice drops in volume significantly as she goes on to address the topic of healers. “I don’t know if they have any healers. One would think, given the nature of the situation they are walking into, that they would have invited some. Then again...I think this may very well be a Mage only affair.” This might seem like an odd statement, healers used magic. Why would they not have some alignment with the Mage’s? Or at least one healer in the guild? These questions are too complicated for Meri. Meri’s lips are pressed together as her mind turns over this detail, “Should..we send for one? Have one brought here maybe? Just in case the Mage’s were not prepared? Penelope is a healer...I don’t know where Penelope is right now though….” The blonde hasn’t broken out into a full on panic mode, but the concern is starting to become obvious on her expression, there is a frown on her lips and her brows have been furrowed together with enough tension that there are wrinkles on Meri’s forehead.

Rumiko :: The nymph had spent many years playing the part of a diplomat; the suppression of emotion, quick and critical thinking a skill that was forced into a routine that helped her not only fit into the life she had all but fallen into when she had abandoned the home she'd had here in Kelay, but also aided her in leading people. Her people. Raised by dragons and having spent a quarter of her life believing she was some lost kind a fae, it was her chaotic choices and way of life that lead her to finally learn not just who she was, but also what. "I know you don't." Think Magik was a jerk, she'd meant. "And no, I cannot. Because there is no way in all the realms on this planet that my brother would sit here and twiddle his thumbs while you rode off gloriously into battle." There was another pause as she polished off her tea, "That isn't to say you are doing anything wrong. Tis a magical war, is it not? Have you the ability required to fend of attacks of that caliber?" Answer needed or no, Meri got one. The mention of it being a mage only war had the usually prim and proper woman snorting as she set her mug down upon the counter. "If they truly believe a faction that would take the -mages- tower from the -mages- will fight fair in a ruled battle, then they are all a bunch of loons." Hands free, Rumiko ran the tips of her fingers through her hair and twisted it into a knot at the high-back of her head. Her hands then came to rest on either side of her throat, and as she slid her palms down and over her body, the evening gown she'd worn was changed. The light satin material thickened and hardened under her touch, and once she was finished the dress she'd worn had been replaced with an armored corset, black leather leggings and boots that laced up her calves. A belt hung around her narrow hips, holding a small assortment of bags and vials that were marked with a foreign language. "Yes, I think you should call to your healer. But do not summon her here." Had the battle already started? "Get dressed. Magik need not worry over your back if you keep it pressed against mine." Even if they only got to the tower at the end of it, one way or another, they would see Magik again.

Meri and Rumiko were in agreement on the answer to that rhetorical question and the blonde bobs her head in a nod to confirm that she thought the same. The affirmation that Meri was not doing anything wrong was more needed than Rumiko probably realized, the blonde hated that she was here and waiting. So when Meri sees Rumiko’s clothing morph into something that offers more protection and hears the words ‘get dressed’, the blonde need not be told twice. Her bare feet are back on the ground and the blonde is half-way out of the kitchen before Rumiko can even finish this thought. “It won’t take me long. Give me a few and I’ll meet you by the front door.” And then Meri is out of sight, having disappeared into the room that she often shares with Magik so that she could change out of her lazy pajamas and into something more suitable for battle. When Meri emerges from the bedroom, her blonde hair has been pulled back into a quickly thrown together braid. On her feet are a pair of black boots that are reserved specifically for fights, as the material offers more protection than her day to day boots, and black leather bracers are also worn on both of her arms. The pants and the shirt are form fitting so that Meri does not have to worry about material being snagged, but they offer little protection against weaponry. The upside is that Meri at least could remain agile as she would not be weighted down by heavy armor. As for weaponry, Rumiko would spy a bow and quiver on the woman’s back and a sword resting at her hip. Meri would make a beeline toward the door but not before passing off a note to one of the Unseen with the hope that they might be able to locate one of the healer’s Meri knows so that Rumiko and Meri could focus on heading straight out to Xalious. After, Meri would lead Rumiko outside to the makeshift space that the blonde’s horse occupies when she is here. “I’ve only the one horse...We can double up if we need to, but you can also travel by smoke..can you not?” Meri asks while quickly preparing Kadence for the journey. Rumiko would get a small taste of Meri’s abilities in this moment as a saddle that is a short-distance away from the pair levitates right on over to Kadence and plops onto the horses back. Meri is fussing with the reins while all of this happens. “Either way is fine with me, whatever will help us make better time…” The moment Meri was finished saddling up her horse, a booted foot goes into the stirrup and onto the gray mare’s back Meri goes. “Ready?” Once she got an answer from Rumiko, she would urge Kadence into a full gallop.

Rumiko :: In the time that it had taken Meri to prepare for their impromptu adventure, Rumiko had made her way back to the door to her room with swift steps. A small blade was pulled from the belt at her hip, and in a single sweep it was drawn across the tip of the nymph's left ring finger. It wasn't a deep wound, just enough to release several droplets of blood; all of which she smeared around the handle of the entrance to her personal quarters in a counter-clockwise motion. Unpainted lips mumbled something quietly as she hear the reentry of her sister-to-be, and a dip of her head was offered in response as she followed Meri out of the treehouse. Mention of only one steed made the nymph quirk the corners of her lips upward in a small smile, and though she dipped her head to the question of apparition, she had other means of travel as well. Without a sound the woman hovered over the railing of the outer porch, floating down to the ground with all the grace of a fallen feather. "You need naught but lead the way." The moment the blonde was upon her mount, slender fingers would find purchase in the rear part of the saddle, so when the horse started to move forward, the nymph would simply glide through the air behind them at a steady pace, as if Meri had her very own Rumiko shaped balloon.

Meri :: With a nudge of Meri’s booted foot, Kadence takes to motion. The pace fluctuates between a trot and a gallop, as Meri is aware that even the best of horses can only be run for so long. Getting to Magik was important, but she wasn’t going to exhaust her horse to the point that she may die. Every so often she would take a peek over her shoulder to make sure that Rumiko had not lost her grip on the saddle. Given the pace they are moving at, the ride to Xalious would take a couple of hours, and while Meri is usually the chatty sort, she is not doing much in the way of talking during this ride. Not that it mattered, with the speed they were moving at it, it would be hard for either of them to hear the other between the wind and the sounds of the horse’s hooves pounding against the earth. When they reach the pass that connects Xalious to Kelay, Meri abruptly stops the ride and why will be obvious to Rumiko. Off in the distance, an army can be seen blocking the path between the two regions. Beyond the army, illuminated spheres can be seen hovering within Xalious, with one of those spheres positioned directly over the Mage’s tower. The spheres are shooting red beams of light down to the earth, but if there is a purpose beyond acting as a spotlight for the Ossian Order then it is not clear. At least not from this distance. It is at this point Meri dismounts, moving a few paces away from her horse so that she could get a better view even if they were still at a distance. “I think we should travel by foot.” Meri points to one of the banners that the army carries, the markings on it clearly visible even if they are still distanced. “I think that army is an ally to the Mage’s Guild. I am pretty sure they traveled from Frostmaw…But I don’t know for certain. And ally or not? They may not let us pass willingly. We could always try and ask them nicely? But I think we should execute stealth and attempt to sneak past them.” Meri was open to other thoughts, this was a team effort, but if Rumiko was on board with this plan...sneak girl, sneak.

Rumiko :: Nimble fingers held tight to the saddle, and Rumiko's red tinged gaze never left the road ahead as the made their way towards Xalious. It didn't take long for her to spot familiar landmarks. Peculiar marked trees and boulders, twists and turns in the paths that had all aged in the time since she'd last passed through them. This was the place where her earliest memories lived, when a dragon had first taken her in as his own, and where she had learned to fend for herself with his passing. It was also where she'd met the girl she would call her sister, and take on the name that bonded her to the elf she and Meri were off to find as well. It was no longer the place she thought of when she was asked about home, but it would forever be a sacred place in her heart. The sudden stop of the mare caught the nymph off guard, and she'd sail silently past the artist before realizing it. With a puff of black smoke Rumiko vanished, appearing once more beside Meri as she stepped down from her mount in silent awe. Pointed ears picked up the idea, but it was a long moment before the red head nodded, "By foot is probably best." Still shifting eyes found the banner that was pointed out, and there was the faintest of hesitations at the mention of Frostmaw. Wasn't that were Jarrith had gone to? A hand rose to press at the bodice she wore, just over her heart in small circles. Would he be there? Would Ciaran? Braydon? A hard swallow came as she turned to look at the blonde once more, and as always, Rumiko took the easiest option. "If we bypass them, we bypass any that might be working double, and therefor retain our advantage of surprise." And she wouldn't have to look into tri-colored, deep blue eyes.

Village Path

Meri studied Rumiko in silence for a few short moments, noting the way that the redhead placed a hand over her heart as she studied the army. The blonde was curious and there was a question forming right on the tip of her tongue, but the question is silenced as Rumiko brings up a very valid point. Double agents were not even something that crossed Meri’s mind. Meri shifts her gaze to the horse that they are about to leave behind and then looks around their environment for a place to hide her companion so that she does not end up lost or stolen. After brief consideration, the blonde retrieves a relatively simple looking pendant and lashes it to Kadences saddle. Just as Meri finishes securing the necklace to said saddle, the blonde runs her finger over the center of the pendant and as she does this, the horse is consumed by shadows. Presumably, Meri has the means to see the horse when they return. Without hesitation, Meri dips her head down into a nod and begins to pave the path forward to circumvent the army. The terrain to bypass the army was a rough one, the two women would be climbing along a steep rocky mountainside just to keep out of view. It would add good chunk of time to their journey, but in doing so they would not only be able to avoid the army but also dodge the odd looking beams of light that were being projected onto the path between Xalious and Kelay. Meri still wasn’t even sure what their purpose was beyond illumination and she didn’t want to get caught in them to find out. What if they were set ablaze? No, better to take a wide and careful route, even if it meant they were slower.

Meri :: When they finally make it to the heart of Xalious, there is a strange stillness to most of the village since most of the citizens have already been evacuated. Still, but not entirely silent. There is one place within Xalious that seems to be in a state of complete mayhem and a cacophony of destruction that could be heard and seen coming from the Mage’s Tower. One detail that might stick out to both Rumiko and Meri are the black flames that can be seen from a through a window on the upper levels of the tower. In fact, if Rumiko has not already noticed this detail herself, then Meri will be giving her a light nudge and then silently gesturing toward the flames. Magik. Definitely Magik. From their vantage point, they would not be able to tell what specifically was burning, but he must be in that room. Or at least, he was at one point. Before either of the two women can give the situation a proper assessment and decide that their next course of action will be, two of Magik’s students rush out of the front entrance of the tower. Both of these students have spent the last several weeks living in Magik’s treehouse, Meri can certainly recognize them with ease even if she cannot name them. Perhaps Rumiko has seen the two of them during her stays as well? If not, Meri would point out the obvious just as the two students are surrounded by a team of the Ossian Order. “Those are Magik’s kids, we’ve gotta help them.” And those two young pyromancers, a brother and a sister, would certainly need some help for they were sorely outnumbered. There were only two of them but they were circled by a total of six villains, all of which were highly adept within whatever branch of magic that they opted to study. Even if Meri and Rumiko jumped in, it would be one heck of a fight. Meri is looking to Rumiko to make sure the nymph is in agreement, but this was not a time to hesitate. The two women would have to decide fast, and Magik would be absolutely heartbroken if he lost two of his students. The right choice was an obvious one to Meri and the blonde is tense, ready to spring into action and battle.

Rumiko :: The nymph did not talk about her past much, so whether she'd taken notice to the blonde watching her closely was a non-issue. It was not until Meri moved away to secure and hide her horse that Rumiko's gaze shifted from the Frostmaw flags, her eyes watching the mare sink into the shadows without so much as a word. Her stare lingered a moment longer, even after the artist had stepped back and away, her boots leading her away from the rocky path and towards the steeper, stonier surface. "Wait." It was called out to her brothers chosen as she pulled a small blade from her belt, the very same one she had used to bespell her door back at the treehouse. The edge was once more drawn across her left ring finger, and she would reach the bloodied tip out towards the blonde, nearly forgetting to offer and explanation. "In case we get separated. I can track what is mine." Whether she meant the offered droplets or the other woman herself was left unsaid. The nymph had an odd habit of claiming people, even if she was not completely aware of it in the moment. If accepted, a single dot of red on Meri's clothing would be the only insurance the pair had as they moved through the rubble.

Rumiko :: Silent steps did little to disturb the stillness of the village, and pointed ears strained to pick up any and everything that might be lurking around the corners to attack. The black flame burning above them did little more than earn a studious look as the nymph. Thankfully, the red head seemed to understand, even if not the exact thing that was being conveyed: she had never seen her brother fight or use his more damaging spells, so the pointing towards that particular window was thought to be Magik's classroom or office. Her lips parted to speak, and the first syllable managed to escape before she was crouching in a defensive position and reaching for something at her waist. It was only Meri's voicing the need to help that kept her from throwing whatever she had grasped at the pair. Rumi had made a vow back at the house, and familiar face or not she intended to keep it. Head dipping, the woman gave a non-committal sound as she rose from the ground and started forward, her hardened gaze finding the larger male that was stepping in towards the smaller female student. The powder she had pulled from the satchel at her hip was tossed upwards and into the brutes’ eyes as his attention shifted from the fleeing youth to the frailer looking nymph. The curses the fell from the man’s mouth earned him a smirk from his assailant, and it was only once she was positive that her aim had been true did she turn to place her gaze on her companion.

Rumiko :: Turning her back had been the wrong move.

Rumiko :: Though still blinded by whatever had been lobbed into his eyes, strong arms roped around Rumiko pulling the woman back and against his chest. “Look what we have here…” The choice of words earned a grunt from the dark druid’s visually disabled captor, his expression twisting even more irritated at his inability to ‘look’. The words had come from a second Order member, and he had turned his attention from the free moving students to the pinned nymph, his hands raising as small bolts of electricity bounced between his fingers. “She don’t look like them others.” Rumiko did not know if he was referring to her not being human, wearing a mage uniform or the blazing red hair, but she was not going to wait around to find out. In the blink of an eye she was gone, replaced with a puff of smoke that seemed to confuse the two and had one of them looking upward towards the tower, as if he’d seen that trick before a few flights up.

Rumiko :: Turnabout was fair play in Rumiko’s mind, and while one fumbled around trying to find her with outstretched arms and the other stared up at the tower, the nymph had reappeared behind the latter. The blade at her hip was once more pulled from its small sheath, and the tip was aimed right at the opening in the male’s armor. Before she could strike, a third male called out a warning, and when the electromancer spun around, her dagger skipped off a plate of metal and shot past the side of his head, taking part of his right ear with it. Another round of curses came, and despite the pain he was too quick for her. Electrified hands lashed out and grabbed her- one at her throat and the other her dagger hand- and there was no hesitation as he poured his energy into the nymph that cried out. Would others hear them? And if so, which side would they be on?

Meri did not need to be asked twice when Rumiko asked her to wait. There is a moment where a brow is lifted as that dagger is produced, the expression is more out of curiosity than concern. Rumi was practically family, or at least Meri had the hope that she would be family...soon. Which is why the blonde does not put up the slightest fuss when she comes to understand that this drop of blood would serve as means for the nymph to track her should they be separated. A smile is given to show her appreciation, but then the duo presses onward and into the thick of their battle.

Meri :: Separation would prove to be an non-issue for a bulk of their journey, right up until they engage in this six-on-four battle against the Ossian Order. That non-commital sound was all that Meri needed to understand that they were on the same page, they needed to help Magik’s students. Meri had never seen Rumiko engage in battle, nor had she heard stories, the blonde had just been assuming that the nymph was more than capable. So when the nymph decides that she wants to take on one of the larger males, specifically the one that is trying to put an end to the female youth, Meri does not interfere. The blonde instead sets her sights on a tall and willowy looking woman who is currently weaving a spell that is aimed for the brother. The forte of this female mage is aeromancy, which means that the only signs that anyone has that she is casting anything is the incantation that she is muttering beneath her breath and a sudden shift in the wind. At first the wind is spinning immediately around the aeromancer, picking up dirt and debris from the ground and making the whirlwind she is forming subtly visible at the base. That was all that Meri needed to spring into action herself, positioning herself with surprising speed between the aeromancer and the pyromancer. Habit and instinct have Meri drawing her bastard sword from its scabbard while she moves to defend the brother, but the weapon is not used against the aeromancer. The telekinetically inclined werewolf uses her abilities to create an invisible barrier of energy between herself and the mage, hissing at Magik’s student while she successfully manages to deflect the whirlwind. For now. “Go to your sister, keep her safe.” The male does just that.

Meri :: Rumiko was not the only one who was guilty of letting her guard down, the nymph’s screams were something that Meri could not ignore but there was no way that Meri would be able to get to her. Yet the psion could not just stand by and watch the red head get electrocuted. As quickly as that invisible wall of energy is formed, Meri wills it away so that she can focus her psionic gaze on another target. The electromancer’s head is twisted by a force of energy that is not visible to the naked eye, effectively snapping his neck so that he crumbles to the ground before Rumiko. This does not mean that the redhead was safe, she still had that blinded oaf bumbling around her. As for Meri? This choice to help the nymph would cost her. A terramancer must be in the company of the now five-person gang of the Ossian Order for the ground at Meri’s feet begins to rumble in a concerning manner. This is just a distraction, it’s another blast from the aeromancer that knocks Meri clean off of her feet and causes her to lose hold on her bastard sword. The weapon slides several feet away from her grasp, which is not really all that problematic for the psion, except she hit that ground with a really hard thud and has been left a bit dazed and confused.

Meri :: Thankfully, Magik’s two students have had the sense to not completely abandon Rumiko and Meri. They do manage to get some distance from the fight so that they are not immediately in the fray, and once they have accomplished this the pair of them work together to summon a ring of fire around both the terramancer and the aeromancer. It is a battle of wills between Magik’s students and the two temporarily contained members of the Ossian Order, with Magik’s students trying to close in the ring to burn them both to a crisp...and the terramancer and aeromancer doing everything they can to prevent that. This might just give Meri and Rumiko the edge that they need to eliminate the three remaining members of the order, that blind and bumbling fool that Rumiko initially picked a fight with...and two other mages who have yet to give Rumiko and Meri a demonstration of their abilities. That is about to change, as one of them is glaring at Meri while the other has their sights on Rumiko.

Rumiko :: Thick fingers released their hold on the nymph as the snapping of an even thicker neck left the male lifeless. They fell together despite the lack of connection, and the moment Rumiko hit the ground she changed. A glamour that she'd held for so long melted away, revealing the true face of the woman Magik called his sister. Gone was the crimson hair, the emerald eyes and the lightly tanned skin, each replaced with hauntingly darker features that marked her kind for what they were. Inky, jet black hair stood a stark contrast to the pale skin and ruby red eyes that rose from the ground to find the artist. Nymphs in and of themselves were always spoken to be easy to look at, but her kind? Everyone always had different reactions, depending upon how much they knew about them.

Rumiko :: Underworld nymphs were the reapers of souls; they did not take for need, but rather duty. It was their job to ferry those passed to the afterlife, where Death might judge them for their life and deeds. There were not many that walked the land of the living without that as their purpose, but the only souls Rumiko would be sending were those that aimed to hurt what she claimed. There was no time to explain the sudden change, and she hoped Meri would still recognize her as friend rather than foe as the ground beneath them started to rumble and roll.

Rumiko :: Heavy breathing went still as she watched the blonde hit the ground out of the corner of her eye, and only after a glance towards the twins to make sure they were at least out of harms way would she head closer to Meri. She moved silently and without a word so she might escape the grasp of the still fumbling blind man. Trained in the art of Druidry once upon a time, it took very little effort for Rumi to locate the source of the magic, and a hand rose to point the mage out to -hopefully- allow the Psion to repeat the same trick she'd pulled with the electrical tyrant.

Rumiko :: A hand moved to grasp her dagger, and it was only once fingers brushed an empty sheath that she remembered she'd dropped it. A soft curse escaped her lips as she quickly flipped through her options, deciding finally to pit magic against magic, if only for the moment. Crouching so she could stick her fingers into the earth, dark brows furrowed in the center of her face as she pushed her mana through the tips of her hand and out into the earth around them. Sprouts of black vines broke the surface of the earth surrounding them, the flora taking on a mind of its own as Rumiko raised back to her feet to meet the gaze of another of the Order. Should anything get close enough to the tiny plants the reaction would be swift; the vines shooting forward to lace around the ankles of whatever they could grab, foe or no. "Mind your step." It was the only warning tossed her could be sisters way as she steadied her shoulders and awaited the next fight.

Rumiko :: The brute heading her direction stopped only long enough to re-direct the sight-impaired spellblade; the later having had cleared his vision enough so he could pull free a curved blade that shimmered with- what the nymph could only assume was- a nasty bit of magic. She had little more that a few vials of her disposal to fend of the unknown magic of either combatant, and it was only as they backed her closer into that circle of flame that she remembered she was not without a weapon.

Rumiko :: Her left hand moved outward so she might clutch at the empty air, though just as her fingers curled inward to close, an ornate staff materialized within her grasp. It looked to be made of petrified ash, carved and inlaid with dark silver designs that, in the right light, would show as tiny skulls in the center of layered triangles. It materialized in both directions from her palm, down to a point that touched the ground, and upwards to arc above her head, revealing the weapon for what it truly was. Valknut felt heavy in her hand, and there was the barest of moments that she might betray the surprise she felt; she would never get used to actually summoning her husband's weapon. The scythe was taller than she, and thin arms had to lift it high and at an odd angle to position it to the proper height to not only defend herself, but wield it against her oncoming foes. Her only worry now? Would she be far enough away from Meri to not knick her, but close enough to jump in if the need arose.

Meri :: It was hard for Meri to fully appreciate Rumiko’s transformation in appearance while the blonde was currently laying on the flat of her back. Even if she were better positioned, the nymph will be relieved to know that the hopefully soon to be Lyastri is able to keep her head focused on the battle. There will be time for Meri to take in these details once those pesky Ossian Order have been dealt with. Less of a relief is the fact that Meri does not seem to be quick to get back to her feet. Is it possible that the lycan has been felled so easily? Down and out for the count already? Nah, the tattooed blonde was definitely dazed for a few brief moments but the rest is just a ruse. Meri’s hope is that she might gain a little bit of advantage if they don’t see movement from her, that she was already knocked unconscious.

Meri :: Her gambit pays off, if only because Magik’s students and his sister are proving to be formidable and have managed to pull the attention away from the grounded-Meri and back onto them. The brother and sister duo are able to keep both the terramancer and aeromancer contained with that circle of fire, though it has certainly been a battle of wills and the flames keeping the two mancers contained have puttered out to almost nothing a couple of times. The aeromancer has been doing her damndest to suffocate the flames while the terramancer has managed to force the brother and sister to relocate at least once to avoid being consumed by the very earth beneath their feet. Meanwhile the carnomancer that had his sights on Meri and the cyromancer who was attempting to go after Rumiko find that sudden growth of plant life beneath their feet to be a bit pesky, as the vines were able to easily wrap themselves around both of their feet and hold them at bay.

Meri :: The battle that is transpiring outside of the tower is almost as chaotic as the one that is raging inside the tower on all levels. The cryomancer is doing her best to free herself from Rumiko’s vines by employing her magic to freeze the vines to a brittle state. The trouble that she faces is that the vines seem to be growing more quickly than she can freeze them. As soon as it seems like she might be able to escape she finds her legs bound again by a fresh growth of vines. The carnomancer is not having as much luck with his current situation for his abilities don’t readily lend to him freeing himself but that does not mean that he is standing idly by. His lips can be soon moving, hinting that he is muttering some manner of spell beneath his breath, and his sights are now on Rumiko...but not for long. It is at this moment that Meri chooses to sit up and as she does so the sword that had been knocked free from her grasp begins to levitate. The weapon is not sent flying back to Meri’s hand, rather it is sent spinning through the air and toward the distracted members of the Ossian Order.

Meri :: The first target is the carnomancer and while Meri’s goal is to try and behead the man before he can fire off his spell, her plan does go entirely as hoped. Just behind the blade of her weapon sends the carnomancer’s head tumbling toward the earth, the target of his spell is shifted from Rumiko to Meri and released at the last possible second. Rumiko wouldn’t be able to see the effects of the spell, but whatever happens causes Meri to grimace and cry out from the pain. A nasty gash is opened up on Meri’s torso, though the psion cannot see the extent of the damage for it is currently hidden beneath her shirt. The pain is ignored as is the blood that is very quickly soaking through her shirt, hidden only by the fact that Meri prefers to wear black. The pain from this injury is almost severe enough that it causes Meri’s telekinetic abilities to falter. Almost. This is not the blonde’s first battle, she forces herself to push through and retain focus so that the cryomancer is the next target to be beheaded. As she is currently busy trying to free herself from Rumiko’s vines, she does see the sword coming until it is too late for her to react. Another head is sent toppling to the ground, hitting it with a thud. The final target is the blinded spellblade, who literally cannot see the attack coming and has no idea which way to move to even attempt to dodge the sword. Not that it mattered, as the blade was literally controlled by Meri’s mind. A simple thought and the weapon would easily change its trajectory. In the case of the blinded spellblade, he does not lose his head. Rather, Meri’s bastard sword impales him straight through the chest. The blonde rises to her feet and closes the gap between herself and the spellblade that is gasping for air after having his lung punctured. After Meri pulls her weapon clean out of his chest, the spellblade falls to his knees and begins to cough up blood before collapsing completely.

Meri :: This leaves only two left to be eliminated, the terramancer and aeromancer that are currently trapped by fire. While they had previously been engaged in a battle of wills, the carnage that they just witnessed was enough to give Magik’s students the edge and the ring of fire that is trapping them begins to close in. Rumiko and her lovely scythe would surely be able to make swift work in eliminating the last two members of the Ossian Order. And if she couldn’t? Surely the two pyromancers would be able to do something to cause the remaining two to meet their end...

Rumiko :: She wouldn't see the spell that hits her companion, no, but there were things the nymph could sense that wouldn't easily be explained. The scent of iron was already heavy in the air, but red eyes turned to find Meri just as she cries out. Her hold on her scythe falters but a moment as her desire to defend the blonde nearly overrides her, and her attention is snapped back to the fight at hand by the struggling cryomancer trying to freeze the flora that continues to creep out of the ground and across the battlefield. There was no time to study the plants as they grabbed ahold of anything within their paths, but if there had been the mage might have noticed the dark, shriveled stalk. Hard to kill something that is already dead.

Rumiko :: It felt like hours that Rumiko watched Meri work, crimson eyes following along with the floating sword as it slid blade first through the weak-points in the Ossian's armor. It had been a long time since the nymph had needed to fight to this level, and in those moments the dark druid could not have picked a better team mate. There was a swell of pride in her chest that she could not quite place, and it was that distraction that nearly cost her her footing. A blast of air came firing her direction, and having come through the ring of fire, brought a bit of the flame with it. The flash of light right before her eyes pulled the nymph back to the present, and without another moment's hesitation she darted forward and into the heat of the student's spell.

Rumiko :: Being a creature of the Underworld, there were a few blessings that were bestowed upon herself and her sisters; one of which was the immunity to fire. The leather of her leggings catch for but a moment as she crossed into the circle, and without warning the curved blade of the scythe swings around to bite into the shoulder of the female trapped within. By this point the smoke is filling the air, coating the area in a thick smog and reducing visibility greatly. A scream from the aeromancer causes her companion to spin around, sight-less, to try and find and aid his comrade. The dagger in his hand, whilst swinging around wildly, connects with the soft tissue of a midsection, and it is only too late that ne notices the familiar red armor through the haze of grey.

Rumiko :: It took a few attempts for Rumi to pull the curved blade free, and no sooner had she removed her scythe from the mages shoulder did another swipe of that dagger come towards the correct target. The blade slides smoothly across the nymph's left cheek, just enough to bleed without cutting all the way through, and it was that closeness to the nymph that became the terramancer's downfall. The moment her hand released the scythe, it vanished as if it had never been, and her right hand folded in on itself to create a spear-like shape. It was thrust forward, and as if she were a ghost and not corporeal at all, her hand struck straight through the chest-piece of the man's armor. In the blink of an eye, the terramancer froze, mouth falling agape and a grumble of incoherent words fell from his lips. It was a plea, and if Rumiko understood a word of it, it didn't register on her features. Unseen fingers curled around the thumping organ within her grasp, and the nymph rose onto her toes to get as close to the dead man as she could. "Vedaust." It was all that was spoken as the male cried out in pain, fell to his knees then the ground.

Rumiko was left standing in the midst of carnage. With an arm covered in blood up to her elbow, she turned to scan the area and make sure all opponents were down before dropping the heart to land where it would. Meri was her priority, and once again the nymph vanished within a bloom of black smoke only to reappear next to the blonde. "Let me see." The wound, she'd meant.

Magik :: The doors to the Mage's Tower are thrown open suddenly. There is an eerie quietness with no evidence of what may have caused such a racket or for what could possibly follow. First, a dust cloud leaves the tower through the open doors. Next, a huge shift in the air around the tower that seems to pull that dust cloud back in. Suddenly, a member of the Ossian Order can be seen backing out of the tower with his hands out in front of him as he pleads, "No! Please! I beg of you!" Before the man could get another word out, his hands set a flame. The screams grow louder as black flames spread quickly from his arms to his chest and everywhere else on his body. The fire leaves nothing but ash in their wake. By the time the OO soldier takes another step back, he's gone; dust in the wind, and no more screaming. Veneficus D'Chath is next to make his exit from the tower. His body is covered in his familiar flames with his bow raised up and a black arrow nocked. He turns towards Rumiko and Meri and his eyes go wide. "No.." He then quickly spins around to release an arrow back into the tower. There's a loud thud just as Magik turns back to his family. His bow is lowered and he marches right for the brother and sister duo. "Meditation Center. Now. Don't let it burn anymore than it has. Extinguish it quickly then go to our meeting spot until I meet you there or you see another teacher. Go." The black flames quickly cool off as he nocks another arrow and scans the area, directing his words to Meri and Rumiko as the siblings run into the tower. It's obvious he's pissed to see them there but he's still concerned for their safety. His eyes avoid theirs as he makes sure the immediate area is safe. He finally lowers his bow. The Lyastri's eyes finally fall on his family, immediately noticing Meri is injured, "There's nothing else to do now. Odh is gone..I..I have to finish securing Xalious.." He rushes closer and places a hand on Meri's injury. He closes his eyes to try to focus and summon any last bit of magic he has available, but nothing happens.The elf can notice his breath becoming quicker and more shallow, "Rumi, you have to get her to a healer, fast..I..it's not working." After a quick kiss to Meri's cheek, he starts taking a few steps back, "I told you to not come here.." There's obvious panic starting to take over the Master of Meditation. He holds a finger to the shadowy tunnel in his earlobe and whispers quietly to the shadows as his eyes shift from the women before him, "Nel, we have an emergency, I need you at my treehouse as soon as possible." The elf looks back at the tower, "I'll be right behind you two. Go." Normally he would atleast look back at the two, but he was off again. Right back into the tower with his bow raised, scanning back and forth as he quickly slips back into the desecrated building.

Meri :: The blonde would fail to show it, but she also had the mindset that she had brought one formidable partner to this fight as she watched her potentially future sister deal with their remaining two opponents. A scythe was not an easy weapon to wield, they were bulky and top heavy weapons, and the petite nymph seemed like she had wielded this weapon on several occasions before. Their fight seemed like it was over, so Meri was just about to do as Rumiko asked of her and let the nymph have a gander at the injury but she is quickly distracted with the doors of the tower flying open. Even if there was an eerie quietness, it was enough to but the psion back on guard, injured or not. The sword that had been embedded in the chest of one of the fallen Ossian Order rips itself free and flies back into Meri’s grasp, prepared for another battle even if she was bleeding. The urge to fight did not lessen when she heard the pleas of another Ossian Order member, it’s not until she sees him set ablaze that she seems to relax...only just a bit. Out comes Magik, barking his orders at the brother and sister duo. Magik might be avoiding catching their gaze but Meri’s blue eyes were locked on his form, trying to determine if he has sustained injuries of his own. He had, of course, but as far as Meri could tell they were nothing life threatening. Meri then let her gaze travel over Rumiko’s form while Magik joined the two of them, trying to make sure the druid was largely uninjured. It seemed to Meri that she took the brunt of the damage in this fight. Given the circumstances and the numbers these two women were faced with, they held their own pretty damn well. The end result is that now Rumiko and Magik were fussing over an injured Meri, rightfully so too. That was a concerning amount of blood she was bleeding, her only saving grace at the moment was the fact that she was in fact not a human. There were some perks to being a werewolf. As much as Meri would like to question Magik about if he could heal and as much as she wants to get three very particular little words off her chest, priorities. This injury was not good and she did in fact need to get treated. Her gaze locks with Rumiko for a moment, using her better judgement. Given how the two of them traveled out to Xalious, Meri only assumed that the Lyastri women would not be able to get her home in a timely manner, smoke tricks or not. “Back to the treehouse for it is…” Magik was already heading back into the tower. “Race you home…?” she said to her would-be-sister. Or not, Meri knew that sometimes the treehouse was home to Rumiko but sometimes she also enjoyed spending time in Vailkrin with Mahri. As long as the Lyastri woman was safe….Either way, Meri produced a small trinket from her pocket and pressed it into her palm, concentrating for just a few seconds….and then she was gone from sight completely. Back to the treehouse for Meri, where Nel would be shortly after her arrival.

Rumiko :: The moment the tower doors slammed open Rumiko shifted in her stance. Where originally she'd been standing at Meri's side, a quick shuffle of feet had her placed between the wolf and the tower, the nymph's crimson eyes watching the back of the Order member as he back pedaled. She felt Magik before she saw him, and that was the only reason she hadn't summoned her weapon back into existence once more. Her chin rose almost defiantly as her brother's ire was seen upon his face, though she was quick to step aside and allow him unfettered access to his woman while she continued to scan the area. "But you did not tell me." It was the only excuse she'd offer. If asked, Rumiko would tell him Meri came only to make sure she hadn't gone alone; she could and would take all the blame if Meri allowed her to. Tired as she was, Rumi watched as Magik tried and failed to heal the blonde, and a hand rose to remove the citrine stone around her neck. There was a moment's hesitation before she twirled the item in her hand, and whether he knew it or not, Magik would have a long necklace around his throat. It was an enchanted item, one that helped her to regain her powers more swiftly while she was away from home, and hopefully it would work for him too. She had to try.

Rumiko :: It took everything she had not to rush back into the tower after her brother, but with an injured companion left in her care, she turned back to look over Meri with a concerned expression. The tattooed woman's thoughts were correct; though the nymph could disapparate she could not take other with her as Magik could. "I am right behind you." She seconded Magik's words, Rumi would not abandon Meri until she knew she was safely in the healer's hands. The trinket was a neat trick, and she was glad for the magic Meri had access too- it might be the only saving grace. Crimson eyes closed as she reached out, the mental link she shared with her daughter aiding in a silent conversation that would bring Ceresa here to Xalious. A mirror image of Rumiko appeared in the blink of an eye, and after a rundown of everything that had happened, Ceresa looked up into the mountains, nodded and vanished.

Rumiko :: With Ceresa going after Meri's horse, the nymph was free to vanish herself, the bloom of black smoke enveloping her body as she blinked out of existence to return back to the treehouse home.