RP:Khitti vs Valen: Round 2

Part of the The Day I Tried To Live Arc

Summary: Having disappeared for some time after the Larket bridge battle, and the unfortunate shared dream with Brand, Khitti happens upon a drunken Valen within the city of Frostmaw. She's not pleased about it whatsoever.

Cliff Edge

Valen would have been a mere shell of himself at the funeral. The once happy-go lucky Vampire, or as some had known him to be boisterous on the battlefield, would have been a seemingly depressed soul during the proceedings of the event. He had looked, as if at any moment he would either get up and walk out, rather than be more uncomfortable than he had ever been, break down into an emotional mess, or both at the same time. Regardless of all of that, he sat at the edge of the cliff, gazing out at the scene before him in blissful silence. Sometimes he felt he was better off alone, yet at other times he thrived on company and attention. Tonight, at this moment however, he was simply content to just...be. A sigh would be given as he sat, not wearing a single coat but just that open shirt and some pants and shoes. "Never again. Never again will I allow that to happen."

Khitti had not been to the funeral. Death was, uh, a funny thing with the woman. She could do as Hildegarde commanded in battle. She could rampage through the undead and the necromancers that created them. She could kill when the urge to feed arose. But, she hated all of it. Funerals never sat right with her. What’s the point in physically mourning those you couldn’t save or those that you murdered? It’d always be in the back of her mind. Always. Today, it was definitely there, brought on moreso by the thoughts of how she never went to give her condolences to Lionel when it came to Briar. Brand had seen to that, he’d given the former knight-commander the cookies she baked. But was that really enough? She wandered through the city on her walk, bedecked in the armor fashioned from the dragon that had kidnapped her not long ago. The midnight blue dragonscale duster enshrouded her form much like her previous one had, shimmering somewhat in the moonlight when it hit the scales just right, hiding her face and red hair from sight. She’d stop though, in the middle of the path, as a scent, familiar but still that of a strangers, passed through her nostrils. They flared a little, as if they could remember what she could not, the redhead shifting her attention towards the male that sat at the edge of the cliff. What was that…? Who was he? Where had she smelled him from before? It was entirely confounding indeed, and the vampiress took to staring at him, watching and waiting.

Valen was so lost in himself that he almost did not sense the young woman approach. Almost the same conundrum now encompassing his own mind, and would turn to look at the figure in the path. That armor was so beautiful, perhaps in his mind almost as beautiful as his now luminescent skin that seemed to reflect the very beams from the moon. Rising to a standing position, he would make his way towards the figure, wondering just who this was that had stopped along the path. If she had seen him at the battle, when Lionel had cut through that collarbone of his on the right side, she may recognize him by the now very thin but pitch black scar in the same location, or perhaps as his helmet had finally been knocked from his visage from the man that eve, she may even recognize him by his face as he approached closer. "I don't recall seeing you at the funeral...erm...madame?" Hey, for all he knew it could be a very feminine figure like himself, his own hips were nothing to scoff at at any rate. "Are you on your way somewhere?" Great, Valen...make small talk with a complete stranger decked out in armor. Your mother taught you much better.

Khitti narrowed her eyes at the male, a faint ‘hrm’ passing her lips in thought as she studied him. That scar… She’d definitely seen when Lionel appeared to have slain him. Hell, she revelled in it when the scent of his blood permeated the air around them. He’d gotten what he deserved. She was only sad that she hadn’t been the one to do it--he had tried to hurt Brand, of course. Everything pieced together in her mind like a jigsaw puzzle, and a hiss is released in response to his questioning. “You. Vhat zhe hell are you doing here?! Get out of my city!” She didn’t reveal herself to him still, but that accent of hers would certainly give her away. All that snark on the battlefield was certainly something that’d not go unforgotten, especially with the fight they had shared.

Valen most certainly remembered that actually very attractive accent, and had even made it a point in his mind should he ever come across her again, that he would ask just where she had gotten it from. Ah, but the young woman had asked what seemed to be an honest question, and so he would deliver an honest answer albeit actually looking a bit more timid and hurt now than one would expect from how he conducted himself on the field of battle. "I came for the funeral." It was said blunt, but still with perhaps a bit of honest remorse in his voice, not that he expected this one to care. "Also, Deary, in case you did not hear there is a peace treaty now. Your thane, is to be married to Macon. Surely you also knew that -he- was here?" For all that he was feeling guilty, he did not waver from where he stood nor flinch at the hiss. "If you truly wish me to leave however, perhaps you would answer me one question of my own. Have you ever fought for something, thinking that your cause was just? Only to have the reasoning pulled out from underneath and laid bare, and shown that it was all just a sham? -That- is why I am here as well. To reflect, if I may, apologize. Leone welcomes me here, however, and Krice certainly does not seem to mind my presence, so I ask you this. Is this order to vacate your home, does it come from our skirmish? Or does it come from simply me being in a war I did not truly understand at the time..." She would be able to see those piercing blue eyes now, sparkling, radiant...and almost tear filled by the end of his question.

Khitti snorted softly at Valen and his dreary disposition, her upper lip curling into a sneer. Didn’t he know? It was her job to the be the forlorn, worrisome one in this town. “I don’t care about zhe var. I vas doing as instructed. I don’t care what Leone zhinks, she’s not my priestess, and Krice is his own man, he can do as he pleases. And Macon? You’re all a bunch of fools, Josleen included. You can smell the crazy from a mile away from zhat guy. No, none of zhat matters to me. You made a choice to aid his cause, just as I aided Lionel. You live vith zhat.” She side-steps away from him, dark verdant eyes staring at him from beneath that dark hood of hers, “No. You tried to harm my family.” She was like a shark circling her prey now, a circuit walked around him slowly. “You screwed up big time, pretty boy, and zhen you come into my home, expecting forgiveness? You must be out of your mind.” Her fingers twitched idly at her sides, begging to start those fires she’d summoned up on the bridge.

Valen hated to be that guy, but it seemed like he was going to have to be. "And what will Hildegarde say when she learns you attacked me? We go back to war then? Macon hid his craziness from me only for the sheer fact that I am a teacher at the Academy, and was not around him much. I fought, to protect my students." As she walked around him, he simply stood still, obviously tired of the games...all of them. "The ones that matter have already forgiven me. I do not need it from you. Though if you want to strike me down..." At this, he would simply open his arms wide, and stare blankly at her "Here I stand. Judge me as you see fit. Death does not scare me girl, I would gladly welcome it after the loss of one of my students that I -failed- to protect. He was only fifteen." In his mind, there was only one way that he would be happy that this end, and perhaps it was a way that she would not expect. "You tried to hurt my family as well deary. Should that not make us even? I did not come here for a fight and I will not be the one to break the treaty brokered between Hildegarde and Macon, damnable fool that he is."

Khitti rolled her eyes, stopping once she reaches his back. “Your ‘family’ follows a madman. Don’t use zhis treaty against me. I told you, zhis has nothing to do vith zhe var. Zhere is a difference. I vas zhere to burn a bridge and nothing more. You attacked Brand and I.” Surprisingly, she doesn’t attack him, however. Best to not push her luck with Hildegarde, sadly. The Silver had enough problems as it was at the moment. There seemed to be no end to this argument, and Khitti was left to shake her head at it and step away from him towards the cliff. It was clear he wasn’t going to try anything either, but she’d certainly keep her guard up. Scale-clad arms fold one over the other, clicking together softly with the motion, coming to rest against torso. “I don’t exactly know how many battles you’ve seen, but you von’t forget it, you know. It’ll -never- go away. Sitting around moping isn’t going to bring people back from zhe dead. Zhere’s only one vay to do zhat, and if you’ve not zhe means to do so, zhen you’re shit out of luck.” If only Khitti could take her own advice. Where she was wise, she was not always smart in that aspect, though she was not as stupid and vexing as she appeared. What else was there to do in her spare time but to think and dwell on things of the past?

Valen would perhaps have indeed expected an attack, but the ploy to use Hildegarde as leverage was perhaps one of his more better ideas. "You were there to burn a bridge, true, but what was I supposed to do? Just let you destroy it? As you said, you were following orders so I doubt you would have stopped if I had asked nicely and batted my eyelashes." The mention of battles stung him deeply in his long dead heart, as this was the first one he had participated in, but a much older one had been witnessed.. "I know it doesnt go away. When the Vampires came and attacked my kingdom, they killed my parents and turned my brother and I to make an example of the rest that survived. Either die a gruesome death, be turned, or serve. I was not a fighter in that war, but I can assure you the images of that battle still pierce my mind like a hot fire poker, and I do not believe for one second that this most recent one will behave any different. As for Macon, yes. He is a fool but it is hardly his fault. It's that rage stone, that has warped his mind. Something I intend on fixing myself, and perhaps in doing so make him see that all he has done...was wrong. I know that what I just said will likely have very little effect on you, it was not meant to. I do not make excuses, I deal in facts." As she walked towards the cliff, he would take a few steps to follow her but remain at a distance. "My brother had the means to do so though, and even then he was still out of luck...interesting tidbit, assuming we are talking about Necromancy that is."

Khitti just shrugged, ever aware that he had followed behind her. “Necromancy is vile.” And, yet, even you considered it, didn’t you? Perhaps not with the Larketians, or even the Frostmawians, but with someone long since dead, she told herself. “As for zhe bridge, zhey can be rebuilt, as it is obviously intended to be.” She’s thoughtful for a moment, but merely shakes her head again. “Coming here to mourn zhose you killed, zhat’s like a murderer returning to zhe scene of zhe crime. Zhere’s no point in any of--zhe prayers, zhe rituals. Vhere zhey go in zhe afterlife is not our choice, regardless of vhether or not you mourn and pray for zhem. Zhe gods don’t care either. Zhey’re content to vatch from zheir zhrones and let us slaughter one another. It’s all meaningless. Just burn zhe bodies and get on vith it. Ve’re all going to die. Zhere’s no postponing it.” But hadn’t that been what she was doing with Brand? Postponing the inevitable? No, she wasn’t ready yet. She wasn’t ready to let him and Dominic go. Not yet…

Valen would see it as his turn to give off a shrug this time, not actually having an opinion on Necromancy, though would at the very least offer his opinion on one thing, regardless of whether it was wanted or not. "The fact that we are all going to die, even you and I one day, simply means we should live life as if each day was our last. A bit cliche', I will admit, but there -is- wisdom there. Everyone grieves, everyone is saddened at a passing if the person touched them. There may be nothing to be done about it, but when you think about it perhaps grieving over the loss of a loved one is our way of saying that we wish we could follow them, but we know that in the end we will be wherever they are, maybe. Some people believe there is nothing after it all. Me? I honestly do not know what to believe anymore. All I know is I could not give a rat's ass about the god's or their wishes, desires, plans, and that is something you and I can agree on, the fact that they do not care." A hand would go to his head, as all of this philosophy was starting to give him a minor headache. "The best thing you can do...Is love those who are still with you, and remember the ones that are gone."

Khitti scoffed as she turned around to face him finally, “ ‘Us’? Zhere’s no place for ‘us’. Ve’re abominations. Zhere’s no heaven or hell for us, if zhey even truly exist. Even vithout zhe var, you and I are murderers, and you cannot deny zhat. Zhe dead pity -us-. Zhey’re free. Zhey had zheir moment, zheir long fulfilled lives. Even zhe ones ve love now cannot stay vith us, and ve are doomed to out outlive zhem. It’s not natural. It should not be.” She too was tiring of this talk, and was glad that her duster hid most of the weariness on her features. She sighed heavily, resisting the urge to likewise put her own hand to her head, the subject trying her patience. Instead, she throws up her hands somewhat in frustration, as if to say ‘I don’t know’, and the redhead lifted her head skywards to avert her gaze from him again.

Valen would take a few more steps towards her, and would offer an actual pleasant smile as he felt they had made some decent common ground actually. "Why dont we forget what should and should not be, just for now, hm? What do you say, I offer you a drink, of some really good absinthe, and we find better things to talk about. A talented young one like you, should not be stressed as you are now." He may be overstepping a boundary here with the way things are going, however he was nothing if not a gentleman. "If not, I cordially understand, but I will not hope to never see you again. You might wish to ask Brand, by the way, what him and I discussed a few days before the battle." A wink would be given, and a laugh actually tore from him that sounded more akin to a giggle. "He helped me with an idea for a surprise for Lionel, clothes!" Maybe...Valen had already had a few drinks, just a few.

Khitti wasn’t exactly comfortable feeling as he offered her that wink, talking ever so casually now about the people she cared about as if he hadn’t intended on killing them where they stood on that bridge. At least one step would be taken backwards away from him, and another to side-step away so that she doesn’t eventually back herself off the ledge. A curt response was given, suspicion lurking in that single word, “ No.” There’s a pause, considering things, before an explanation is given, “Forgiveness is not something I give easily. Nor is trust. You have neither of zhose for zhe time being, and a drink--absinthe or no--isn’t going to make zhings go away. And, since you seem to zhink you know Brand, perhaps I shall tell him zhat it vas -you- zhat tried to stab him vith your shadow tendrils. Don’t speak so informally to me of either of zhem. If you zhought yourself a friend, you’re mistaken. Friends don’t try to harm one another intentionally. You saw Lionel before he saw you, yet you tried to attack him. You deserve much more zhan vhat Hellfire gave to you. Zhey’re both out of your league and zhis aim for friendship you seem to hold dear is absurd.” He’d hit a nerve it seemed, her words harsh and unfeeling.

Valen certainly sobered up his friendly intentions after that, a dead panned expression on his face now as he gave a scoff and started to walk away. "I was never going to try to attack Lionel. I was -going- to try fighting by his side, as that was when I realized all too late that I chose the wrong side in this war. Tell Brand whatever the hell you want lady, but do not think you know me so well as what I would have done if Lionel's aim had not struck true. I was in a frenzy up to that point. Not that youd know what that is, your still a young fledgling compared to my two hundred years so I highly doubt you know that when in that state you cannot control yourself. But I would -never- hurt lionel. Speaking of which, Im going to the tavern. You can either come with me, or stay out here for all I care. I dont give a damn if you believe me, so either follow for a drink...Or get bent."

Khitti laughed at Valen as he walked away. She actually laughed! The nerve of that woman. “Do vhat you vant, ‘deary’. Your age means nothing to me. You can get as old and decrepit as you vant in your immortal life, but zhat doesn’t necessarily mean you’re stronger zhan me. You know nothing about me. You know not whom I’ve faced in my much shorter lifespan. You, vith your one battle zhat you barely made it back from. Give your sob story to zhat bottle you’ll be drinking from soon and zhink over your actions. Perhaps one day, you vill receive forgiveness, but today is not zhat day.”