RP:Keep Your Enemies Close

From HollowWiki

Part of the The Day I Tried To Live Arc


Summary: Able to get out and about after healing at the fort, Khitti heads to Larket to drop off a bag at Kreekitaka's shop. While there, she devises a plan to use Valen for his magic for her possible journey to the Shadow Plane to rid herself of Amarrah. A conversation ensues, and as Khitti goes to leave, Amarrah makes herself know to Valen and his other half.


Larket Academy Of Magic

Valen was at the moment sitting by the fire in the Foyer, sipping on that wonderful cocktail he had made in the recent months. It was perfect on those days that you feel like being lazy, almost like what hot chocolate was for people on those cold days where nothing else seemed to warm you. As he sat, he also could be seen sporting a dress, his long hair pulled back into a ponytail. The dress is long and flowing. Its color moves in constant ripples like the waves of the ocean, with a deep red being the “valleys” between the waves and a bright ice blue being the “peaks”, and along the “slopes” of the waves the colors blend along the spectrum like a rainbow. The ripples move upward along the surface of the fabric, starting all the way down at the base and moving slowly all the way up to the neck. As light passes over the dress, it highlights a scene—a deep ocean reef with all types of coral, various fish and other creatures, one shark lurking somewhere near the top, and a trilobite on the hip, all embroidered in near-invisible silver thread which can only be seen in direct light. The dress has no shoulders or sleeves, but does cover the chest completely. Tight around the hips and waist, a little more relaxed towards the top. It isn’t backless, but the fabric running up the back is transparent. Attached to the back is an iridescent dorsal fin—not wings, as Kree had considered, but something to fit more with the oceanic theme of the dress’ changing colors. And not the aggressive fin of a shark, but the graceful fins of an angelfish. The dress comes with bracelets which attach to a pair of long, drooping loops of fabric which grow more transparent the closer it gets to the ends, to simulate the long, thin pectoral fins of the same animal.

Khitti was, well, probably still not in the best of shape, but she was much better than she had been last time. She too was sporting Kreekitaka fashion, her favorite and the only one left in her collection as she’d just returned two to the crab that’d turned her into an indentured servant. Her own dress was black, or rather it was darker than black. No light reflected off of it, as she made her way into the foyer, the bottom hem of the lanternshark dress stopping a few inches above the knee while the top one sits rather low on her chest, the entire piece held up by spaghetti-thin straps. Over this she wore a duster, much like that dragonscale one, but this was far older, tattered in some areas while others had been clearly patched up. Booted footsteps brought the redhead into the room, the woman staying silent for the moment, taking in the scene of the place. Bandages wrapped her hands and legs, and one could assume her feet as well. So, this was Larket’s Academy of Magic.

Valen would hear the academy doors open and would stand immediately with drink being set down at an end table--always when he was relaxing it seemed, that some-...As his eyes took in the no longer bed-ridden young woman, he had to admit. He was somewhat jealous of that dress she had on, and could tell that it was possibly Kree that had made it for her due to the fact it reflected no light, as if made from the purest of shadow. Either she had helped him make it, or him and Kree were going to have to talk about perhaps a new dress. Moving forwards now, brushing perhaps the one strand he had chosen to be wrapped up out of his eyes and to the side, a soft smile would be given as he stopped a ways in front of her. "Khitti it is wonderful to see you up and about.." would be expressed softly, not too loud. Eyes would take in the bandaged hands, and the legs, and as his blue orbs snapped back up to gaze into her own eyes, he would inquire "Did the blood I left help?"

Khitti raised a brow as she pulled off her hood, having noticed that stare of his towards her dress. His own was noted as well, and its fishy accents. She made the same assumption as the other vampire had about her own ensemble, but kept the thought to herself. “It did. Zhank you.” The empty vials were pulled from an inner pocket, and the few steps forward taken to close the gap between them. “Here. Zhese are yours.” The redhead gnawed on her bottom lip a little, awkwardly not making eye contact; it was obvious the gears in her head were turning. “How...has zhings been vith York? And...Larket, I suppose.” Small talk did not seem to be Khitti’s strong point; it’s an unfortunate thing for one as socially awkward as her.

Valen had half a mind, as he took those vials back graciously, to inform her that the blood had come from Jarith but decided to keep his trap shut in that instance. Nothing would be -wrong- with the blood itself, to him it was actually quite delicious. No, the fear came from the fact that he didnt know how she felt about the Northman, and would refrain from causing tension. "You are more than welcome, no thanks needed I simply wanted to see you better." As he saw her averted gaze a look of pondering came over his own, and then questions were asked. "York and I have been doing quite well actually." A blush would come to his face as he remembered a few things, though if she continued to look away, she would not be able to see the sight it made. "Larket...well...Larket will always be Larket." It was said perhaps with a tone of indifference, he certainly did not hold the city in the same regard as York, that much was obvious. "And how about Sir Brand? I trust he is doing fine as well? Frostmaw certainly seems to be a busy place as of late, but then again that is good I suppose. Ive been meaning to visit Hureig at some point...Bah, thats a different story." He would wait for her to answer, if she wished, before motioning towards the kitchen, feeling that sitting near the fire might be in very bad taste. "But you came here for something, I think? Why don't we talk about it over some nice aged wine? Might be a nice entrance into the topic, nothing like a little Amuse-bouche."

Khitti tilted her head at the odd tone his voice took with regards to the city he dwelled in, weighing it in comparison to how he spoke about York. Perhaps he’d -actually- had a change of heart entirely towards the one that now ruled over his home. It was something that she’d file away in the back of her mind anyway. “No. No vine, please. Hot cocoa if you have it? Otherwise, tea vould be fine.” She’d follow him there, letting him lead, as she took to wringing her hands, her anxiety waxing. “I’ve met Hureig once. Still need to get some carrot cakelog at some point. I ended up...indisposed...not long after I met him.” A silence would linger between the two of them, if he allowed it, as the woman tried very hard to assemble her thoughts. Suddenly she was tongue-tied. This woman who, even in the midst of battle, had spoke with such snark and ire, was lacking in her fire.

Valen would think on that for a moment, he would have to. Did he -have- any hot cocoa?? "One moment..." And the cabinets would be searched everywhere until at the last moment, "Aha!" Pulling out the container it was in, he would start a pot with some water to boil. "I certainly have tea but your luck would so happen to have it, that I found my last stash. Which is good!! I needed to get more later for the students anyways." The male was certainly able to feel the anxiety, it was almost palpable even and he would do his best to make sure they got to the heart fo the matter in good time. "Hureig and I dated for a time. Nice person just....vanished on me, I’m still worried about him though." Sincerity though, Hureig had been honestly one of the more nicer guys he had seen...other than York. "What -is- cakelog by the way? I have heard it over and over but I still have no clue! Now..." he would turn to her as the water started to simmer. "I can tell something weighs on you...My advice? Let it all out, and the hot cocoa will be done by then most likely, but do not keep it inside...It festers."

Khitti leaned against the nearest counter where she’d not be in Valen’s way, listening as he told the history between him and the frost giant. “During zhe var between Hildegarde and Balgruuf, he’d been captured, along vith some other frost giants zhat’d not sided vith Balgruuf. I met him after all of zhat vas said and done zhough. I believe he vorks for Hildegarde? I’m sure he’s just busy. Most of everyone zhere is. Frostmaw vas still in zhe process of being rebuilt vhen zhis whole debacle vith Larket happened, so our own efforts vere put on hold.” There’s a bit of distracted handwaving, the woman making it obvious that she didn’t feel like going down the politics route for the conversation--it gave her a headache. When the inquiry about cakelog was posed, she lit up a little, the topic a welcome one, “Oh! It’s cake, covered in maple syrup and caramel. It’s rolled up into a bit of cylinder vith more maple syrup on top and chocolate shavings. I created my own kind, zhough. Carrot cake, vith cream cheese frosting and walnuts rolled up in zhe middle and a bit of a cream cheese glaze over zhe top vith more walnuts sprinkled on it and tiny shavings of carrots. It’s wunderbar. I shall have to make some for you, perhaps, if you’d like.” And then, the topic shifts again, and that tiny spark dies once more, though not so much as before. “I’ve several zhings, unfortunately, but zhere must be an order to it all. I vill not reveal all at once, for vhat is said vill depend on your answers.”

Valen would begin mixing the hot cocoa in, the smell if that chocolate wafting from the pot and all but filling the room with the smell that only its delicious richness could provide. This was the good stuff. HE knew pretty much that Hureig had been captured on at least one occasion. "Well then maybe I acted too rashly..." Guilt gripped him now, he had thought that it had been because he wasn’t interested in him anymore, but...then he might not have met York? Shaking things out of his head firmly, he listened to the definition of the fabled cakelog. Without even thinking his mouth started to water, and honestly made him glad he was already undead or else it might give him an illness with that much sugar! But wait, did she- "Oh Miss Khitti no! No need to do any of that please! I mean perhaps you could...show me? Making it together would be just as fun I think!" At this he would tilt his head and give off a warm smile with a soft giggle. As that topic shifted, "Several things? And yes an order to everything, and I can certainly understand the discretion. I will certainly do my best to give candid answers to better help you with your inquiry. Now..." Turning back around he would give a soft sniff, and grin. "It's ready. Would you like Marshmallows and whipped cream?"

Khitti blinked at Valen. He...wanted to -make- cakelog with her? Well, she certainly would not have expected this sort of conversation between the two of them weeks ago. “Yeah. Ve can do zhat. And, zhe cream and a bit of cinnamon on top vill do, zhank you.” She paused, watching him work, then continued, “You and I both vield very similar magic, zhough, it still has its differences. Vith zhat being said...vhat do you know of zhe Plane of Shadow?” She’d grow silent again, observing him carefully.

Valen would not have guessed things would be like this either but at the same time, he was more than glad that they seemed to be over what bitterness had been between them, on both ends. Dressing the Cocoa up to her specifications, and then would hand it out to her with a charming smile. "Yes we do! I often ponder about the similarities between us, purely academic of course. As per your question..." Here he would pour himself a glass of bloodwine, his cocktail set off to the side and covered, and then he would look back at her with a rather curious gaze. "I know, or at least -think- I understand some of it. If I am correct, it is a lesser plane, yet somehow tied with the plane of Destiny. It is a void as well, filled with malevolent beings. Whenever traveling -through- it, those that do not close their eyes could possibly be driven mad with fear at what they see. Fortunately, for myself, whenever I step through a shadow it is only for a fleeting instant...The only times I lingered in there was at the battle, and then only one other time. This is of course, mostly, unfounded conjecture on my end so I apologize if I got most or all of it wrong. All i know is that there -are- things that lurk in that plane that are best left alone..."

Khitti side-eyed the ground as she took the cocoa with thanks, “I, uh...vell...zhis is difficult, I guess. Not many know about zhis, and I need your vord zhat no one vill hear of it. Despite our recent past and misdeeds towards each other, ve’ve both realized zhat mistakes vere made on both sides and ve vill atone for zhem in time, I’m sure.” She took a sip, a relaxed sigh making itself known afterwards--the cocoa was definitely delicious. “A very long time ago, a creature zhat dwells in zhat plane vas tied to me, quite literally. She is zhe reason vhy I have zhese abilities. Zhe abilities vere not always as strong as you’ve seen zhem. It vas not up until I vas recently taken hostage by a blue dragon, amongst other mages including Brand, zhat zhey grew to be vhat zhey are now.” Another couple of sips was taken. “Zhat, unfortunately, is an entirely different story for another time. Zhis one, however, about zhe shadow creature...Amarrah...she must be gotten rid of. Zhere is nothing in zhis vorld zhat can do it. I know not zhe methods, zhe terrible experiments, zhe vere performed on me in order to put her in zhe first place...so, I may have to travel to zhe Shadow Plane to do it.” She takes a moment to set her cup on the counter beside her, slender arms crossing one over the other, “Zhe problem is zhat I can only get into zhe basics of necromancy and its kin at zhe library in Xalious. Larewen and I are not on good terms and as I am not of her guild, I am also not apart of zhe mage one either and zhis presents a problem.”

Valen would set down his wine glass and for the moment, listen. At the insistence that he not tell anyone, "Miss Khitti I assure you. Discretion is my middle name, and yes...in time it will all be in the past but for now, your conundrum needs to be addressed." He was very pleased to see that she seemed to enjoy the Cocoa, but the fact that a creature -from- that plane was tied to her...That was not good at all. "So if I understand this correctly, correct me if I am wrong. This...Amarrah. There were things done to you, to cause this union, correct? Amarrah did -not- chose to be tied to you?" This part seemed to be key, but the next part of what he said may offer her comfort in at least a small sense. "Also, Larewen...can be fickle. I would not trust her as far as I can throw her, but I respect her power. As for Necromancy...If you remember right, my other half, Maldor? He is also a Necromancer and may be able to provide the knowledge you seek. I can -easily- set a meeting up with him and you can explain everything to him. These...abilities of mine, come from him. A side effect, if you will...of what I do not know. I used to be able to control the light but past events made it to where the shadows have fallen under my domain instead. He is also more knowledeable than me by far in what lurks in the darkness. This does not make him evil, and at my insistance that you are a friend I am more than certain he will be willing to help you."

Khitti nodded, “Yes. Neither her nor I vere villing. I vas only fourteen at zhe time.” She’s still hesitant, the bringing up on the distant past still difficult for her. “Zhe dark magic vith zhat whole zhing runs very deep. A mindflayer vas overseeing zhe entire operation. Zhe necromancers...zhey…” Pale lips twist into a frown, and she’s soon picking up her drink again to force away the thoughts of her family and the village she lived in. “Zhat story has no bearing on zhis regardless. Amarrah is no longer of sound mind. Vhile, I appreciate the offer of speaking to your other half, but vhile I myself am a necromancer, I tend to get a little...violent...around others. I vill keep it in mind, zhough, for zhe future, if it’s needed. Sorting out -how- to get to zhe Shadow Plane, zhat’s something I’ve been doing for a bit now, especially now zhat I can summon Francis, zhat spider from zhe bridge fight. He is from zhere. Vhile I intend to ask Lionel, and I know Brand vill accompany me as vell, I need more people. I don’t zhink mortals can survive zhere for too long, and vould likely need some sort of enchantment to keep zhem going zhere. Out of Francis’ portal, zhere vere strange spores zhat, vhile Francis ate it villingly, I didn’t let Brand get near it. I vould like, if you vere able to, to go vith us. Not only do you vield zhe magic, and it vould be much stronger zhere zhan here if ve got into trouble, but zhe vampirism is another boon.”

Valen would give something of a sigh of relief. "I am so sorry that happened to you at all, let alone at such a young age Miss Khitti, and quite. The rest of that story is not what we should focus on at this moment. There is no need to dwell on more than what is necessary for the moment. This -does- throw a sharp relief into the mix though. Regardless of what mental state Amarrah is in, it means that she may still not want to be here just as much as she is not wanted. Her instability though is surely due to the fact that they have been out of the shadows for so long. Tell me. When you pass through the portals, do you notice a difference at all in the behaviour of the entity?" The explanation of not talking to Maldor at the current time, but perhaps later, would earn a nod. "I certainly understand your reservations, Maldoravia may end up not being a good idea at the moment anyways. He is...rather protective, as I mentioned. Be that as it may. Going with you to the Shadow-Plane..." Taking another sip of the wine, his feet would carry him over to about a foot in front of Khitti. "Spores....interesting. You will have to tell me more about those sometime, but yes. I agree with you that you will need as many people as you can get. The plane is no playground, as you are well aware. I am more than able to accompany you, I just need to know in advance when we will be undertaking it, and I am honored that you would think to ask this of me. My question though to you is as follows. What happens to you if we manage to seperate you from Amarrah finally, -while- inside the Shadow-Plane...? How will that affect you?"

Khitti finished off her cocoa finally with a sigh, “Zhat’s another difficult zhing. Amarrah has been dormant seemingly. After I vas rescued from zhe dragon’s cave, she vas out for quite sometime as her and I took on a rather lot of magical energy from someone zhat used to vork for Hildegarde, an Ayras Drathir. It ruptured vhatever mental block had been implemented in my head zhat kept my magic less zhan vhat it could be. Lionel, Brand, and I vent back to zhe cave to pick apart zhe dragons treasures and zhere Amarrah awoke. It vas...not pleasant. Since zhen, zhere’s been minor instances here and zhere, but I have a terrible feeling in zhe pit of my stomach. She’s been -too- quiet. I haven’t told Brand, but sometimes I can feel her stirring.” Saying it aloud seemed to unnerve her a little, as if now it were certainly true that Amarrah had been rifling through her thoughts. “For zhis very reason, I made sure to keep zhe healers away. Brand just zhinks it vas zhe bloodloss making me crazy again.” Khitti looks over towards Valen finally, brows knitted together, “I know she vants it. At one point, she told Brand zhat if she ever got out, she’d kidnap me and do unspeakable zhings. I zhink she vants out more zhan I do now. And I do feel her, especially vhen I shadowstep. I can feel her brimming vith anticipation, biding her time. Vaiting. She tried to kill Lionel and Brand last time and she used me to do it. I’m sure you can see vhy I’m so protective of both of zhem.” The vampiress sighs again, her back sliding down the counter until she’s sitting on the ground. “As for vhat happens to me, I don’t know. I just know it can’t be done here. She must return home and I intend for her people to deal vith it.”

Valen would also make it a point to talk about the dragon that kidnapped her at a later time as well, as he had heard about disappearances a while back but for some odd reason had never been one of the ones that were kidnapped, not that he was complaining of course. Eyes would narrow as he knew that feeling all too well himself. "Stirring?" Again, not good but neither was the biding of her time. Something -had- to be done. Looking at the ring on his finger, he would take it off and hold it out to her. "Take this. It's a ring of lesser binding, and will offer some resistance against Amarrah, keeping you in control should she suddenly decde to rear her head. It..You need it certainly more than I do. I can handle Maldor and talk him down, it sounds like you Amarrah might not be so easy." A reassuring smirk would be given now, charming even. "So you take this for now. Lionel and Brand are important to you, the three of you, even though we barely know each other, are important to me as well...so it stands you need to accept it." Looking down at her, he would grab his glass and move to sit next to her, still holding it out to her as he sipped away. "We can worry about all of the rest, when its time, and she -will- be returned...I promise you I will do what I can when you are ready."

Khitti shook her head, offering a sad smile, “I cannot take your ring. Despite all of zhis, she is still like my sister now. It is a difficult situation, but I vould rather you take it. One less zhing for you to vorry about vhat vith everything else going on here, “ a hand waved about as if to indicate the academy and Larket. “I’m sure she knows now zhat zhe Catalians are not to be trifled vith, vhich is vhy she’s likely been as quiet as she has. Zhere have been minor instances of her surfacing, but Brand has dealt vith it. I daresay he’s a professional vhen it comes to dealing vith disagreeable, angry females.” The redhead coughed innocently, awkwardly side-eyeing the floor. “Speaking of Brand, I guess I should tell him. He’s a little unsure of zhe Shadow Plane, as he should be, but I zhink once I tell him about you joining us, it vill make zhings better. I should not be keeping secrets from him…”

Valen would give a playful roll of his eyes at the kind refusal, and playfully punch her in the shoulder with hardly any force, a kind of action of some sort of endearment. "I can understand that. You have your sister, I have my brother. Whether or not it is the same situation, they are still part of us. As for the Catalians?" A genuine laugh would spring from him. "You know, before York, I would have given anything to be with Lionel? I know that is ridiculous, and I know it has little to do with anything but maybe Maldor would not have been able to do as much if I had had someone like him...Maybe I would have hurt less, and -been- hurt less." With a smirk to her he would say "I also most certainly would have been on the right side...But at least you have Lionel, and Brand, to look out for you. I also wouldnt describe you as angry....The term -I- use is passionate. Amarrah, maybe her as angry, but not you." Standing up, he would place the ring back on his finger and hold out a hand in offering to help her up off the floor. "I agree, you need to tell him. If it makes him feel better, you can tell him that I certainly will do my best to keep everyone safe, just as I know you will. We will get this worked out Khitti....I promise."

Khitti took his hand and pushed herself up off the floor with a faint ‘thank you’ gifted to the other vampire. “If York does not end up being zhat person, zhen I’m sure you vill find zhe right one some day, Valen. He seems capable enough. Definitely shy, but, I can certainly understand it. I’m not exactly a people person myself.” She leaves her mug where she’d set it, taking a step or two away from her fellow redhead, “I should go. Zhis vas just supposed to be a run for a bite to eat and to drop something off at Kreekitaka’s shop, but my brain had other ideas, obviously. I vill keep you in zhe loop about all of zhis.” She pauses before passing through the threshold into the foyer, “And zhank you. I appreciate it.” With a wave, she’d head off, pulling that hood up over her head again. Curiously, though, a purple and black butterfly would float into view. How long had it been there? -Why- was it there? It faded in and out, like a spirit between worlds, the strange insect brimming with the very dark magic that both Khitti and Valen wielded. It’d float there, staring at Valen, and then suddenly it was gone. A small cloud of smoke, the very same as with Khitti’s shadowstepping, was left in its wake. Regardless of its intentions now as the vampiress headed for home, it felt like an ill omen for Khitti did not seem to even notice its presence whatsoever.

Valen would have murmured thank you, with a gracious attitude, and give off a soft "No, I think York is exactly that type of person." with a laugh, a genuine light-hearted one. "Either way Miss Khitti I am pleasantly surprised, and happy, that you chose to stop by and please if you and Brand ever want to come by for a meal, I would -love- that...and then you and I can make that cakelog." As she left he would take note of that butterfly, eyes narrowing, though for a split second his eyes would flash a green hue and a certain energy would reach to try and touch it, chaotic in it's own right, the magical tendrils invisible to at least let the butterfly know it was not alone, before Valen was once more in control again once the butterfly had vanished. For a brief moment, Maldor had gained control and attempted to make some sort of contact, but only briefly. "Do take care Miss Khitti! I certainly hope to see you again soon!" he would call after her, before she was gone.