RP:Keeping Secrets And Wearing Masks

Part of the The Whisperer In Darkness Arc

Summary: Khitti brings her son to Frostmaw to get some paperwork done and there she crosses paths with Alvina again. They catch up, but not fully--Khitti wasn't going to tell Alvina the goings-on in Venturil--and Khitti introduces the bard to Dominic. They soon part ways again, this time much sooner than the last, but not before Khitti asks Alvina to commission a bow for Meri, knowing that the bard's work in weapons is just as wonderful as her work in music.

First Floor, Frostmaw Fort

Alvina || Alvina’s been back and forth between Frostmaw and Cenril for roughly a week now every day since receiving a commission. It’s been ages, the tools feel odd in her hands. Her office has been cleaned; the desk and counters dusted, the scattered papers piled. For now, she’s wandering around the first floor in a black sundress, crimson curls woven into a loose bun atop her crown. Black framed glasses perch on the bridge of her nose as she stares straight ahead at nothing. Her arms are crossed, hips askew with her back to a concrete wall. Her lips are gathered in the left corner of her mouth, eyes narrowed as she looked presumably ahead at the sea of workers passing through the cafe and various other offices on the first floor. The bow was proving complicated, just as Encara said it would be. But she appreciated a challenge.

Khitti had been meaning to meet back up with Alvina for awhile now. Too many things had happened, and she let a lot of other things get swept to the wayside. Unfortunately, it was a thing that happens when you’ve got all of Venturil--or most of it anyway--to save. For now though, after a tense meeting with Encara, Lionel, and Valrae, Khitti craved the silence of Lionel’s Frostmaw office and the paperwork, that she typically abhorred, within. She didn’t quite reach it, for she’d wandered to the cafe instead, Dominic wrapped up carefully in her arms and Tenbatsu Kaji on her back. “Momma’s gonna go get a snack and then we’ll go do some paperwork and maybe nap, okay?” But, she didn’t even get -that- far, for just as she looked up from her son--who had been staring up at her with big emerald eyes--she caught a glimpse of the Silver Bard out of the corner of her eyes. “Alvina?” Crimson brows furrowed as she eyed the other redhead’s fixated demeanor and carefully crept over to her, so as not to startle her. “Hey,” she said once she reached Alvina’s side. Khitti looked tired. Probably more tired than she looked when all of that vampirism cure nonsense was going on. But, she did her best to hide it. She was a new mom, so that was it, right?

Alvina || It took Alvina a second or two to react. First, she hums, but can’t pull her gaze back to the present. The thought she’s stuck on has to complete first. When it does, she turns her own emerald eyes to Khitti and nearly does a double take. Gods, it’s been ages again. “Khitti,” stumbles Alvina, a surprised smile fixed on her unscrunched mouth. “And the babe.” She addresses Khitti’s child with an easier grin, hoping to learn a name in the process. The exhaustion of motherhood was well known to the bard so she thinks nothing of Khitt’s tired expression. “Congratulations.” Alvina hadn’t seen her since the beach, when she’d found out that Khitti had her memory back and was with child. A beautiful miracle at a terrible price, the extent of which the bard does not know. Alvina kicks off the wall and lets her arms drop to her side, opening her body language to the woman she used to know so much better. There was a strangeness, that she knew nothing of Khittis’ life now. The old black and white mental images are the Khitti she knows better; full of fire and vinegar. Resolve and heartache. This Khitti seems a softer thing, though Alvina can’t know that for sure. The glow of motherhood is tricky in this way. “How have you been? It’s been...too long.” She smiles, in the way she’s known to do. “You startled me a little,” she adds with a laugh, “I wasn’t expecting to see anyone here, you know. It’s been quiet in Frostmaw lately. What brings you to the Towers?"

Khitti || “His name’s Dominic,” Khitti said, a smile mustered. The baby’s wide eyes shifted from that of his mother over to her friend, seemingly entranced by the other redhead. “I’ve been here often. Taking care of Lionel’s paperwork in his office--” Worrying about things. Trying not to lose my mind. “--a little less nowadays since I’m not pregnant anymore. There’s been other things to take care of that’s more important so it has had to wait most of the time.” Flashes of the gore she left behind in Aedrebyrg as it burned filled her mind, followed by the look of herself in the mirror when she returned to Venturil’s main inn to change her clothes and gather her things. The putrid blood she’d been forced to drink had stained her chin and the leathers she’d worn that day for the mission with Meri, Encara, and Zahrani. It reminded her of those times she’d lost control as a vampire. The times Brand had to stop her and the times there wasn’t anyone to stop her at all. “I wanted to ask you though,” she continued on without those memories spilled, “and obviously if you’re up to it… Meri’s taken to learning archery and ranger skills from me and a friend, and I wanted to get a proper bow made for her. I’ve got an idea in mind, but I don’t want to overload you with work if you’re already really busy.”

Alvina || “The world always needs paper pushers,” She chuckles, almost bitterly with the thought of her own paper pushing responsibilities lingering. “Hello Dominic,” She greets the child proper before watching Khitti’s face shift to one of reflection or pause. She never knew about her losing control - has never known what all has taken place since her return. Not since the night she’d come by to write her song. All of Alvina’s words of hope and light seem childish now. “It’s a shame we’ve missed each other - I’ve only been back around for about a week or so, since having Bryce.” How much older she feels in the crisp light of memory. “Hmm?” Meri. Another face she’d only seen in passing at one of Uma’s meetings. “Oh, I’d love to help. Meri’s a friend after all.” A smile is cast to the spartan concrete floor below her flats. “I hope she’s been well, and that you have too.” Alvina clears her throat and evens her hips, palms taking residence on either joint, ruffling the fabric of her dress. “I’ve got a few things I’m working on but nothing too time consuming.” In truth, it would be nice to take a break, as it were. “What did you have in mind?” A beat “Oh that reminds me, I met a drow recently who had knowledge of your bow. I hope it’s suiting you well still?”

Khitti || It was something she’d never tell Alvina. Some people just couldn’t handle being told a thing like that--and if Alvina was that sort of person, like she seemed, Khitti couldn’t risk breaking her with that sort of information. “Oh. I didn’t realize you’d been pregnant too. I suppose it must’ve gone fast because of Hudson being a werewolf?” That’s how it worked right? Not that Khitti’s own pregnancy had been slow--thanks to a bit of dark magic. “And Meri’s doing well.” Aside from getting stuck in the Shadow Plane for a month and a half. And then going back there, unknowingly, in order to get one of those crystal skulls. “Her and Callum are engaged now. She ended up being the one to pop the question too, which was a surprise to no one.” Khitti chuckled a little, then tilted her head at the mention of a drow, “Encara? What did she want? The bow is suiting me well.” Except for when I stopped using it because Onyx died. Because I couldn't. I just couldn’t. Not after they enchanted it. Not after they helped me relearn archery. “That’s why I came to you for another one. I was thinking it could be a recurve like my own and made of blue iron? I’m not sure how familiar you are with that material though, but I figured since you knew how to work with black ice, that you’d be fine with that too.” She paused thinking for a moment as she peered down at Dominic, who was sucking away on his pacifier, a little ship etched into the end of it. “And… maybe it could be etched with vines and the leaves could be emeralds set into the bow.” She looked back over at Alvina, “That’s not too much is it? I was thinking maybe something more than that too, but I don’t want it too look too… overwhelming, I guess.”

Alvina can’t hide her surprise when Khitti slips the drow’s name into their conversation. Ah well, there aren’t many drow roaming around after all. “We just ran into each other and got to talking about weapons. I guess we have that in common,” She rubbed the back of her neck nervously, letting Khitti take the wheel of conversation. “Yeah, Hudson being a werewolf is handy in a couple ways. I can’t imagine doing the nine months thing...Miserable enough as it is…” She rolls her eyes knowingly. “Please tell her congratulations for me. Seems like ages we were all discussing our relationships in the restaurant in Kelay.” Fondness back lights her eyes. “I’m glad it’s working well. Let me know if it starts acting up, we can replace bits of the ice if it starts to thaw.” When Khitti describes a bow for Meri, Alvina nods carefully. “I’m sure we can do something subtle but decorative. I’ve got a ‘hand’ in subtle designs.” Pun intended. Her golden palm waved to notate the remark as being what it was, the delicate rose design vanishes in the glint of light from the overhead lamps. “I don’t think it’s too much. Weapons are better if they have a bit of our soul in them.” If Emeralds and vines would suit Meri, she’d have it. “Blue iron is more forgiving than Black Ice.” It’s the same material Alvina and Leone had crafted to construct Hildegarde’s new heart. Much easier to work with, and brilliantly beautiful. “You know we bards are the queens of subtle.” She teases, letting her gaze settle on the babe in Khitti’s arms. “What a cute pacifier...a little ship.” Her eyes softened, as did her smile. She always did have a weakness for children. “And recurves are, by far, my favorite bows to make so..easy peasy. Is it a secret? Do you need it by a certain date?” Then, as an afterthought, “We should all get together soon and catch up proper.” There’s an uncertain hesitation. Are they still the same people they used to be? Heavens above, no! That would be utterly impossible. They’ve done and see so much since last they knew one another. Still, it did not discourage her asking.

Khitti || A smirk actually managed to make itself known, first with Alvina’s surprise regarding Encara, then about Hudson, and finally with that pun. How did she always end up friends with people who liked puns? This is Brand’s fault, clearly (because she said so). “I will definitely let you know. It’s taken a bit of damage over months of use but the black ice seemed to harden up nicely once I brought back up here into the cold.” She eyed that pacifier again, “Brand picked it out. He’s had more of a hand in raising Dominic than I thought he would. I told him he’d make a good dad and he just didn’t believe me. And I don’t need the bow too soon, but I’m planning on speaking to Aira or Orikahn about rejoining the Ranger’s Guild and Meri would like to as well. The one I’ve given her is alright, but it’s very basic and with all the trouble we get into, it likely won’t last long.” Khitti nodded in agreement to Alvina’s mention of catching up, “We should. Maybe when it’s ready, I’ll bring Meri here to see it first thing. She’s not too fond of the cold, buuuut, she can deal with it.” The smirk returned, but was soon interrupted by her growling stomach. “Well, I better go grab something to eat and get to Lionel’s office, that paperwork’s not gonna do itself.” She kept up her mask as long as she could, even going so far as to giving Alvina a hug before she headed off towards the foodstuffs. Once she turned around and got far enough away though, she sighed and the mask fell away, leaving that look of exhaustion to settle on her features once more.