RP:Keep Me Running
Post Schezerade Election
Summary: Niall is there to help Brennia when she finds out she lost the election and gets as many people out of Schezerade as possible.
Courtyard
Off of the to the west of the vast Main Hall through large paned glass doors you come to a large cobblestoned and marble walled courtyard, but it is not without a bit of vines growing along the walls and a couple large old trees somehow planted in the two centers of the courtyard. The outdoor area here is just as long as the main hall, but narrower by half which is still saying quite a bit for the area. The front half seems to be dedicated to painting and recreation as there are some lounges, easels and tables about if some of the students decide to enjoy their meals outside on nice days. The back half is arranged as a training area adorned with some weapons and dummies next to a few obstacles.
Brennia had come back alive and tattered from when she said goodbye to Niall, but on her way back home she made a stop at the Coin family farm, who made a fuss about her condition. After a long assurance that she was fine and Niall is fine, but she came to pick up Queenie who was wagging her tail expectantly at Brennia. They didn’t let her leave so easily without trying to help her with her wounds and giving her food, adorable Susanna mentioning ‘I know my boy must be starving, that boy could put away some food!’ So Brennia was sent back home with not only Queenie, but a large satchel of homemade food and Brennia promises that Niall will be stopping back to their home soon. She was late to the election, allowed Queenie to rest in the coach while she cast her vote before she had returned back to the castle and Queenie had been on the hunt for Niall, she could smell him and obviously missed him. Brennia looked half put together, there was now a cut on her lip and she had gotten one of those chic suits on, but she was without the jar and felt a little more optimistic. Her vote is cast and all that is left to do is wait, but she hopes to do so with Queenie and Niall out in the courtyard. Out here the students and guild members who aren’t wounded have organized an election party while they all await the winner.
Niall was pacing outside. He'd gotten himself cleaned up but only after the healers had basically threatened to drug and beat him. He didn't feel like resting though. Knowing Raven was out there, doing Sven knows what and where, make his stomach knot and his chest burn. He should be with her. Where was she? Why hadn't she returned yet? Why had he let her talk him into staying? What kind of Gods let a woman have such beautiful eyes? How the hells was a man supposed to keep his wits about him when a woman like her looked at him like she had? And so, with his tarnished gold hair pulled back and his feet shoved in the boots she'd given him, he'd paced in the courtyard while the rest of them set up for her. He paced and he thought of nothing but her. When he turned and finally caught a glimpse of her, he was all but running to her, his long legs made the space between them vanish in a blink. He would scoop her up, turn her around with a laugh before pulling her close gently. "Rae," He says her name breathlessly, pulling back to get a good look at her. The new marks on her had his temper flaring. "Who did this? Are you safe?" Queenie trots around them in circles, her tail wagging so hard her wrinkled bottom moves with it. Niall's hand absently moves to pat her wide head. He hasn't stopped to consider what it means that she's here.
Brennia would typically be very cautious as to who was looking at her during moments like these, but after what she had been through she doesn’t care today. Niall came running toward her and for a second she was sure he was running for Queenie, but no, she was being lifted up into his arms and she accepted with her arms around his shoulders. His embrace felt good and her wounded wing twitched just slightly while the good one had wrapped around him out of habit, but what was probably more surprising was the soft raspy giggle that bubbled up from her when she was lifted. He’s asking about her newer wounds, “some Flewminati guy, but Sir Lionel and a certain silver dragon came to my rescue… Hopefully I can tell you all about the little adventure I had just been on.” Eventually her expression levels back out to her calm and peaceful seeming one, “I am, for now.” Niall would see some of her security team carrying a large couple of bags of food and before he could question Brennia admits, “I stopped by to pick up Queenie because I missed her.” Totally not because he had mentioned he missed Queenie and she felt guilty for taking him away from his pup for so long and wants to make him happy, nooooo. “And your mother sent me with some food for you, she must have thought I was starving you,” she says in her sarcasm with that half smirk. “I promised I would be back,” she shrugged very slightly in her nonchalant way of her words made it seem like she wasn’t just through hell and back. “And, Niall… Thank you for staying with the campus,” a glance around and she could tell that some of the females were obviously swooning over Niall due to his helpfulness and bravery. “How about you get something to eat and meet me in the campaign office,” she motions to the warehouse looking building on the edge of the courtyard. “Susanna already stuffed me with food before I left,” she gives him a gentle pat on his arm before making her way to where she mentioned, this way they have some privacy so she can tell him all about the ordeal she went through.
Her laugh was like water to a man caught in a desert. He’d counted the hours, the minutes, the seconds after watching her fly away with that damned jar and knew it hadn’t actually been years. But oh, had it felt like it. He looks her over again, his anger a slow burn in his chest for the people who dare do her harm, but with little to be done for it he chooses to focus on the sheer relief seeing her here brings him. He nods, “I wanna know everything, Rae,” He agrees, his grey eyes finally moving beyond her to scan the security, who were all but useless in his opinion, and then to Queenie. He smiles at his big ugly girl and gives her an affectionate scratch between the ears. “You’ve been missed by us both, darlin’” He tells her honestly. The silver blue mastiff seems unimpressed with his answer and snorts into his hand. Niall frowns at her, then at Raven. “I’ll go now,” He protests, even though his Ma’s cooking sounded like a little piece of heaven to him, But the avian was moving on, saying things that had the dangerous thing in his chest stirring. “Thanks for keepin’ that promise,” He says, grinning and suddenly pulling her again to take her mouth with his. He didn’t care who was looking. He hoped she wouldn’t turn him away. He was too keyed up for caution though. He would worry about what kind of damage his Ma had inflicted with Raven’s unsupervised visit later. He watched the bard stoll away from him and shoved his hands in his pockets resolutely. When he’d finished scouring through the bags his Ma sent, and eating most of what he could get his hands on, he strolled into the office. His arms were full of food, his mouth busy chewing. He empties the food into the chair and walks near Raven would be. “I brought some, just incase you were still hungry,” His smile is sheepish. “And maybe because I can’t stand being away from you for any longer.”
Brennia blushes more at the sudden smooch in front of a lot of people and when he breaks away, she sort of smooths her hair down while subtly smirking as if nothing even happened. Move along, folks! Once she was joined in the office she would turn down anymore food because she already felt like a stuffed animal, but opts to sit next to him comfortably on the couch in the office. She told him of the attack, of the guy headbutting her which split open her lip, bragged of Lionel’s skill with his fire sword and even more of Hildegarde the silver in dragon form. Then she moved on to the journey on flying horses bareback to Cenril and the fight at the lava flow. The insanity of watching the jar disintegrate into nothing and that no one will ever see it again. After he’d had his fill of food she had reclined a little and relaxed as Queenie found herself up on the couch with them, nuzzling her head under Brennia’s arms until she was wrapped in them and the avian’s head in Niall’s lap so she was looking up at him while relaxing on her back and wings. Their leisure is interrupted by Corvo who burst into the office and smirk at the sight of them, but Queenie sort of growled softly at the male avian, “now… I thought you two turned my offer down.” A tsks at them before motioning for them to come back out into the courtyard, “come, the courier is here. Hopefully with good news!” After watching the campaign manager leave with excitement Brennia stands up and takes Niall by the hand to lead him back outside. All the students, a plethora of citizen supporters, and guild members (who are able after that battle) are crowded around waiting in anticipation. Once everyone settled the reporter unravels a small scroll of parchment which he reads, “by the city of Schezerade I have been tasked to deliver the count of today’s votes to candidate Brennia Smyth and thus… Candidate Orlando Flewm has won the Schezerade Election.” There was a hush over the crowd and slowly whispers grew into elevated jeering about the outcome and the courier made himself scarce. Brennia’s heart fell into her shoes and for a moment she simply stood in the loud chaos of everyone else’s displeasure, but her face didn’t dare display the fact she wanted to curl up next to Queenie by the hearth and cry… Tears stung her eyes, but did not fall as she blinked away the notion and made her way to a small platform after projecting her voice over all the chatter, “students, guild members, good citizens of Schezerade,” a new hush came over the crowd, “I thank you all for your undying support. It was a good run and I hold hope for the future, but that future is not now and I highly suggest everyone evacuate Scherezade as soon as possible.” She walks into the crowd, those words that Vakmathara’s spoke to her echoing truer in her ears now, and she instructs the staff and students to go inside, pack up everything they need because we all need to leave… Tonight!
On the couch, Niall listened and watched Raven’s face carefully. He interrupted to ask questions, but only a few. He’d heard tale of Hildegarde, Lionel too. It was surreal, like hearing of her going off on adventures with celebrities but honestly? Raven was a bit of one herself, it shouldn’t have been that strange to him. There was an odd feeling of discomfort, he had nowhere to put his immediate rage for knowing someone had hurt her. He compartmentalizes though, focuses on the here and now and all the good that came with it. Like Raven here and safe with him. His mother’s food. Queenie between them. He polished off the food, because why not, and suddenly they were settled and Niall was absently running his hands through her dark hair. “It’s really over,” He says then. “Good.” How long had she been dealing with these dark magics? Why had it taken him so long to find her? He thinks of all the time in his life, filled with work and family, and somehow it still seems wasted. “I wish,” He starts, when Corvo interrupts. Niall would have echoed Queenie’s growl if he had less home training. He snorts at the man instead as Rae untangles herself from the couch. Anticipation churns in his stomach, so he ignores the man and his comments and follows closely behind Raven to the courtyard, his hand touching the small of her back briefly in a quiet show of support. He looked at the crowd gathered and felt a sudden realization wash over him. His eyes turned to her, Raven, the woman who had led them all with hope and optimism and light. He felt humbled and awed, the words of the courier falling deaf on his ears. Her face told him everything he missed though. A pang of hurt for her speared through his chest. She held herself together though, proudly, and he made the smallest movement closer to her… But he wouldn’t try to console here, not here. She led even then, in the face of what he could only accept as unjust defeat, Raven continued to put her people before herself. The feeling returned, of being humbled, and mixed with his quiet anger. At first, he gave her space and watched from afar as she helped those who needed it. Consoling the worried, directing the lost and confused, herding them all to a new idea of safety. When things seemed to burn a little lower, when he could find no one else to help, he neared her again. A frown creased his features, swirled in the storm of his eyes. “Rae,” He says her name like a question. “Rae, let me get you out of here.”
Brennia packed as many people that will fit on that flying coach to get them out of the city and a lot left in groups to where they are from originally. All that was left was a couple of healers and the wounded and slowly she was realizing there wasn’t a quick way to leave out of Schezerade for herself anymore; especially with that wing. She had put everyone before herself, but when she disappeared to the now vacant restricted wing she heard the name and halted, turning to face him finally. Maybe it seemed cold or distant to him, but the whole time in getting people out of the floating city she couldn’t look at Niall because she knew what would happen if she did… He comes closer and she’s looking up at those dark grey eyes and for only a few long seconds she held it together in front of him now that they were alone, but she had been crushed with the news and it’s finally allowed to hit her. It starts out small, with a single tear slipping from the corner of her eye and traveling over the apple of her cheek, “yes…” her voice was barely a whisper. Her head fell and she was looking down, crossing one arm under her bust while the other places a hand on her forehead in defeat as if she could hide her tears behind it. A sniffle and the subtle shudder of her shoulders, “I feel like I failed, Niall.” If he didn’t move away she would step in and rest her head on his shoulder and allow herself a moment to deal with the rejection… After that she would listen to anything he wished to say if he could find any words, but a sniffle and wiping her tears on the back of her hand while gently pulling herself from him. A clearing of her throat before taking a deep breath and straightening her posture, “I just… Have to get some things for the road and we can go.” She was motioning to the large door to her room behind her and opens it to start gathering things, but left the door open if he decided to follow and help.
Brennia’s Room
This space of the castle is most private and not many get to see it anymore. This section of marble is covered in a thin layer of black onyx stone accented in gold and platinum, but no spare in opulence. Her own double king size bed centered against a wall sitting up a few steps, built out of dark oak and dressed in burgundy bedding and canopy curtains. This room having its own fireplace between it and the large washroom and thick curtains to block out the sun from all of the windows including the stained glass balcony door. A couple of elegantly plush loveseats, a coffee table, and a wet bar adorn the opposite end of the room.
Niall watched Raven’s face fall and covered the ground between them quickly. His arms surrounded her, pulled her into him. A calloused hand smoothing at her hair, making circles on her back. For a moment he just held her and let her cry. A heavy silence, but for the small sounds she made, wreathed around him. Again, hurt for her stabbed at him. If could, he would burn the whole thing to the ground. Start her knew, protect her from this pain and danger. But he can’t… He can only hold her as she cries and that helplessness threatens to drive him mad. “Shh,” He answers her, when she opens up to him. “Darlin’ no,” His voice is thick with conviction and sincerity. “You haven’t failed anyone, Rae. You lead them through all of this, you forged a path out of this corruption and you gave people hope.” He pulls back now, gripping her shoulders and looking into her eyes. “You may have lost this battle, Sven only knows why, but you haven’t lost the war.” His face darkens. “Not by a long shot. You gave… You give people hope. You give people something to hold on too, to work for. You’re the light in all this dark and I ain’t about to let you forget it.” He releases her then to collect her things. He waits a heartbeat, thinking of her privacy, but follows after her in the end. His eyes scan the room for things that could be hidden in the shadows, notice it’s opulence after. He whistles lowly. “I’m afraid nothin’ I have is gonna impress you on the road, Rae,” He tries for humor as he moves to help her pack. “You got a cloak or somethin’?” He drawls suddenly. Queenie paces restlessly near the door, tongue lolling as she pants. “I figure we take my Percheron and wagon, nice and slow. Try not to grab anyone's attention.” He looks at her for an agreeance or offer of another plan. When she’s packed, and they’ve agreed on a plan, he would sling her bags over his shoulders and lead the way out. Queenie would trot behind, leaving Raven between them protectively.
Brennia takes a long look around after she packed impossibly too much in a small looking bag, must be one of those new bags that are magicially larger on the inside. Seems she was able to fit a tent aparatis, what could be considered as a first aid kit, only a few pieces of extra clothing, spare boots, a bunch of odd potions and tonics along with some ingredients. She looks to Niall at the mention of things impressing her on the road, “it’s all only things and I think you forget I am over three hundred years old, I’ve been there - done that… Which reminds me,” finally grabbing a sword to place at her hip, a canteen full of water over her shoulder and a nod her cloak as her answer to his last question. “Niall, I understand we haven’t been friends all too long, but I find myself trusting you easily and I feel you are one of the most genuine people I've ever met. I am going to be moving this into your care,” she lifts a large chest and places it into his hands, “inside is all I have in gold and gems. Use it, don’t use it. I do not care, but I did agree to get your brewery prospect sponsored… ” within he would find the same sort of magic as the carriage and her little knapsack, it was more than just one chest of gold. She folds her wings around herself best she can and then places the cloak over them, “nice and slow sounds perfect… And Niall?” She falls into step next to him, slipping a small pin in his pocket that depicts her ⚜️ symbol, but she did it swiftly and gently so he didn’t even notice while she looked up to him, “thank you…” She was thanking him for so much more than helping her with everything lately and being her friend when she needed him, but he was a smart guy and he probably could pick up on the weight of her words. Her hand eventually rests in the crook of his arm as they walked and he carries her fortune, but at this point he was probably carrying more than that.