RP:Larewen and Desparrow Plot

Hanging Corpse Tavern

Pilar was playing the piano like old times, sitting in the center of the Hanging Corpse. She played a slow, peaceful melody, and around her, colored lights danced in time with the music. Blues and violets and greens swirled about, adding an ethereal glow to the room. A few souls wandered through the lights to leave tips in Pilar's cup, earning them a smile and a nod from the pianist.

Larewen shouldered her way into the establishment, mismatched eyes sweeping over those present and lingering on the lights that danced around Pilar. For a long moment, the necromancer simply stood there, unmoving for usually, before, it had been Emrith that sat there, playing a tune. Her features softened as pain surfaced upon them. The elf does not suffer long though, for as the pain settled, the corruption that had darkened her heart once more emerged, spreading across her pale features and intertwining within her mind. In seconds, her emotions were gone once more, replaced by a thin-lipped sneer that Pilar would recognize all too well from when the two had first met.

Pilar, too focused on playing, didn't notice Larewen at first. Her song came to an end, with a smattering of polite applause. Pilar stood and took her cup and its modest contents from its place. That's when she saw Larewen sneering at her. Pilar, unsure what she had done, looked down, hurt and embarrassed. Was her playing that bad? Was everyone else just too nice to have told her?

Larewen had not intended to hurt nor embarrass Pilar, but whatever part of her mind controlled her ability to feel had shut down the moment she'd been reminded of Emrith. Her heart simply could not handle the pain that accompanied those memories, and so her curse relieved her of the agony, with little care as to how it might affect another. With the music stopped, the darkly clad elf approached the younger vampire. Her head tilted to the side as an ebon gloved hand, her left as the engagement ring indicated, reached to curl beneath her chin and raise Pilar's eyes to her own. "You know how to hold yourself up better than that, Pilar," she said, in that hauntingly empty voice. Without releasing the other's chin, her mismatched eyes swept the establishment a second time, the augmented brown one fixating on the aura given off by Desparrow. She thought his shape vaguely familiar, and inhaled sharply as if to divine a scent, but beyond that, she was unsure.

Pilar stared at Larewen, wondering not for the first time what had happened to her to change her so much. She felt as if she no longer knew her benefactor... if she'd ever known her at all. "I just..." she trailed off when she followed Larewen's gaze to Desparrow. Eyes widened and she started to tremble. She had heard about what he had done to Cenril. She had hoped to never see him again. But here he was, in her safe space, and she had no shield.

Desparrow stepped beyond the threshold of the door bearing his familiar lupine scent, something he had not accounted for when he decided to come here. The man wore a heavy cloak that nearly dragged on the floor over his heavy armor bearing similar lupine design with facial structures and jaws jutting out where they could. From the right socket of his half-helm in the shape of the upper half of a wolf's head did his deep azure hue glow. Indeed his magical presence had been noticeable silenced due ot the enchantments placed upon him to make him far less detectable. His gaze shifted first from Larewen to Pilar whom held his eye for several seconds longer than perhaps appropriate when assessing a room. Slowly he trudged towards a table carrying himself with an air of regal authority that demanded respect before turning to face the rest of the room. There in silence he stared at the two women, curious as to what they would do.

Larewen clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth as Desparrow entered and his smell was finally placed. With instinct that could only be maternal, she watched the lycan as he made his way to a table, his eyes fixed first on her, and then settling on Pilar in that stare. A twist upon heeled boot and a carefully step would strategically place the younger vampire behind the necromancer, while at the same time, tendrils of magic leaked from her being, forming a ward around Pilar. She did not need another's protection, for while Larewen's mind may have fallen back to the state it had been when she and the younger woman had first met, she was still every bit as protective of the healer. When the protective spell was in place, crafted to deflect magic and sword both, the necromancer approached Desparrow's table, her lip curled upward into a snarl beneath her veil. "You are not welcome here, wolf," she hissed, coolly. "And yet I cannot fathom you came to a city of those you loathe for any other reason than to obtain something."

Pilar noticed Larewen's protective stance, and it did warm her heart a little. Her benefactor still cared. That was for certain. Pilar felt the magic in the air as Larewen placed her spell, but couldn't identify exactly what kind of spell it was. As the necromancer stepped away, she held out an arm helplessly, as if to draw her back. She then hugged herself and sat at the piano bench, just waiting, and praying that Desparrow would leave.

Desparrow held a special place, a spark of fear deep in the darkened halls of his mind locked behind doors and barbed fences. The fact the woman could pull raw mana from him, the very thing he created, and was necessary for his continued existence made her a very real threat even if it was a battle of wills. The sorcerer however at this point in time still could not manually draw on the mana that built up in his body, the practicing daily only bringing him pain and depression. That did not mean he did not have his methods, for his claws could easily pierce his own flesh and draw out his magic-infused blood which he would use as fuel still right now he meant no harm and bore no hostility in his stance or words when he did speak. First from his waist did he procure a small vial of opalescent fluid and let it drop to the floor where it smashed. It was his magic blood boiled down and concentrated into pure, raw ether which immediately started to peel from the pool into ribbons that trembled upon command of his will. They writhed before coalescing and taking shape as an unseen bubble that barely encompassed the vampire's and his own head. Within it his hushed whispers could not be heard, and he used the minimal amount of mouth movement to communicate effectively his desires. "A proposition. A deal, a partnership.. And I want the forest." His gaze flicked to Pilar and he almost smiled, but instead he offered a partial kneel and a deep bow as is customary to the drow culture

Larewen arched a brow upward, her own magic loosed to mingle with the bubbles that, though invisible to others, were seen clearly by her right eye, the brown one. The left one, silver and seeing, remained fixed upon the lycan and watched as he offered that kneel and the following bow. Whatever he had said darkened the elf's expression and, without waiting for an invitation to be extended, she slid elegantly into the seat across from him. "The forest is mine, Desparrow," the elf hissed coolly. "If what you come to offer, this deal, is worthy enough of it, I may be swayed to share it with you, but I will not hand it over." She had been oblivious to Pilar's reaching after her, though the gesture might have been somewhat moving.

Pilar couldn't hear a word they were saying, and it worried Pilar greatly. She wanted to flee, to get away from Desparrow, but she wouldn't leave Larewen alone with that monster. So she waited.

Desparrow was indeed a monster, as he had done many horrible things and they would not stop with cenril.. they did not stop with cenril. Cenril was just the beginning. Larewen's non-blind eye was new, and that was a small surprise, but he made no mention of it. "The forest belongs to the beasts. I know there are many that could use a strong leader, an Alpha. I can commune and enforce my will, and create an army. As for the deal. I have power, I am a living magic battery. You could use me, and I have resources. Allies in the underdark, powerful ones. I even have Vakmatharas' blessing so I am told, by his high priestess. He is watching my work, and I am offering you to join me in it. Stand with me. My eyes are on Cenril, and I am going to destroy that corrupt metropolis. Aid me, and I will aid you in your endeavors. I hear you are running for the top Vamp in these parts.."

Larewen wrinkled her nose slightly, waving over a barmaid. There was no need to place the order, for the woman knew precisely what to fetch for the elf and brought it to her in silence before disappearing once more among the tables. The necromancer swirled the blood wine within the bowl of the glass before sipping it. "Not this forest, Desparrow; the forest of the beasts is, or was, in Rynvale, in parts of Sage, even parts of Xalious, but this one, this one is the forest of the dead. I am willing to aid you, if you speak true; I won't have you renewing your hatred of my kind mid-battle. That will not end pleasantly. I am willing to -share- the forest, but House Dragana cannot simply be moved, she reiterated.

Desparrow waits for the barmaid to be out of distance before continuing. "The dead you say? How interesting, also useful. I desire the fall of Cenril, for what it did to me, and because it is my home, and it is filthy. Then I want to see Rynvale burn, simply because Ranok and the elves there dared to challenge me. I will not go against you or your vampires. My hatred is with Satoshi, and my challenge to Kasyr, the former King." he tilted his head to once again look at Pilar, his eye staring hard at the young one. "There is much work to do, and I understand you are a necromancer of considerable power. I need a champion. A general for the field of battle to lead forces, a beacon of terror for the enemy, and I think you can help me create such an abomination, if you perhaps assist in the collection of the parts."

Larewen 's mismatched eyes narrowed upon Desparrow's glowing ones, studying the azure embers with visible distrust. The necromancer was of the sort that had to be shown something, rather than simply be told that, and thusly the lycan would have to prove himself worthy of her trust. She leaned back in her chair, reaching into the folds of her bustle gown to withdraw a silver case that contained cigarettes. Plucking one from within, she brought it to her lips and held it there whilst a mere passing of her hand flared its cherry to life. She inhaled long and slow, held it, and when she exhaled, the smoke exited not only her mouth, but, it appeared, some of it leaked through the bandage that was wrapped tightly around her neck. "I can, but your issues with Satoshi and Kasyr are your own to handle, when that time comes. You are correct, in the knowledge that I intend to take Vailkrin's throne, and I have already sought the approval of Vailkrin's present allies. Some deeds must be accomplished under the cover of shadows, and thusly, I shall offer my aid. There is a cave north of House Dragana, beyond the black pond in which the kraken resides. I imagine it will serve you and yours well, and you will be close enough in proximity to maintain a working relationship with me." She took another drag from the cigarette. "I have an idea who your allies are, if the will of Vakmatharas is involved, and I intend to make them mine as well." She had, after all, damaged that alliance when the corruption fell dormant before.

Pilar was growing antsy. She reached into the satchel she left by the piano bench and pulled out her knife. It was a foot long, slightly curved, with a black hilt and scabbard. It was enchanted, and contained within its blade the remnants of some raw magic. She clutched the blade close, as if it could protect her by its presence alone.

Desparrow grinned then, the scarred portion of his face on the left side stretching, managing to appear more grotesque when it did so. Larewen would have no idea that he had acquired a tunneling wurm and would actually carve a tunnel straight from this cave to the underdark itself, for his own purposes of underground traversal so as to make it that he wouldn't have to risk the surface again. His gaze had left Pilar by now, falling back on the vampire before him. "I expect to be able to reap a bountiful harvest from this joining of ours, and it is in my plan to have you and her as my closest allies.. A triad. We will become, together, a superpower. You and I both know that the world of shadows is built upon a very clear lack of trust, and a lust for power. That weakens us, this will be one in which we work together, combined. We will be far stronger. Her society, your city, you both have plenty to call upon.. And with your aids, I will make my own, and when we are together there will be nothing that can stop us." His grin had widened and the spark of madness danced wildly in his eyes.

Larewen found Desparrow to be rather attractive in that moment of manic delight, perhaps in the way his features contorted, twisting his scar. It was a beautiful ugliness, one that was made more lovely by the mere idea of two creatures of the night that, in the past, were known to be at war with one another. She glanced toward Pilar briefly, noting the fledgling's unease with a furrowed brow before her mismatched eyes returned to the lycan. "Trust will always have to be earned, especially when upon our first meeting, you threatened me. You may not mean harm at present, but if you ever should, know that I will not only turn my House upon you, but the city and the legions of undead at my command." Another sip of her wine, another drag of smoke, and the elf suddenly leaned forward. Her entire demeanor changed, and the corruption that webbed beneath her flesh shifted and darkened as she said, "I am going to dispel your bubble, when I do, I will not act friendly with you; the last thing I need is for my actions to be betrayed again by one of my own."

Desparrow did not recede in his mad state of mind, in fact it only heightened. "Of course. But when the creatures that fill the dreams of peasants and turn them to nightmares band together.. well, fear will paralyze our foes, no matter how vigilant they are when they realize that we let our own differences aside to conquer. The Queen of the Dead, King of the Living Night, and High Priestess to the God of Death. The darkness to come will eclipse the sun and dim the brightest of lights in the hearts of men." he paused for a moment. "I have no intention of betraying you, and when this spell fades, I will lash out at you, but I will not harm you, though I will not stick around. I cannot stay anywhere too long. I prefer my identity, the fact I am still alive, to remain substantiated only by heresay and glimpses here and there when I'd rather not be known at all." And to his word when the bubble was dispelled he would lunge for the vampiress, talon-gauntlets outstretched to grasp her throat and pin her to the wall should he be allowed while he snarled, the scent of blood and his last kill still pungent on his hot breath which would wash over the woman.

Larewen allowed Desparrow to dethrone her from the chair, her cigarette falling to the obsidian floor and the glass following suit. It shattered, spilling its blood-infused contents as the necromancer's back came in contact with the wall beyond. Her nostrils flared at the scent of blood on his breath and her lips curled upward into a sneer. In that moment, the tavern suddenly became alert to the presence of Desparrow, and the current predicament of the elf. The wards upon the tavern prevented the use of harmful magic, and left the necromancer largely defenseless - that was common knowledge. The elf could have prevented the assault, avoided it entirely even, but in those first moments, she actually appeared startled. A low growl left her throat and the air around them began to thicken. "You are not welcome here, dog. Leave this city, now," came the words, even as the air around them became hard to breathe. It was a simple spell, cast on her immediate area, but since she had no need to breathe, and Desparrow did. "Or if you prefer, we can step outside, and I can claim your hide for a rug."

Pilar jumped as Desparrow suddenly lashed out at Larewen. She ripped her blade from her sheath and ran over to the two of them. She brandished the knife she clearly didn't know how to use at Desparrow, and stammered, "G-g-get away from her!"

Desparrow clearly had the upper hand in this fight even as Pilar came running over but yet Larewen maintained her calm composure after a brief crack in her defense. The fact the entire tavern may have jumped up to oppose him did not faze him in the slightest. "Until we meet again." With that he turned to face Pilar and bear down upon her with his presence, giving her a long hard stare. After a moment he released Larewen and then stepped out of the tavern without a single care in the world knowing that victory was already at hand. The moment he was outside a sharp whistle was heard and then a deep rumbling, a small quake that shook the tables of the tavern, perhaps even made some glasses fall and shatter and then it was gone as was Desparrow.

Larewen watched his retreat, glaring at his back. Her hand rose to the bandage around her throat and the first hint of pain flickered into life across her features. His grip has dug into the partially healed wound, and that composure that she had managed to hold was a surprise in and of itself. She moved to step after him, undoubtedly intent on carrying through with her own threat, when the rumble came and he was born away by means unknown. Only when her brown eye no longer sensed the spells imbued in his arm, and her nose no longer picked up his stench, did the elf turn to Pilar. The black corruption writhed visibly beneath her skin and rage simmered in her eyes, but not toward the fledgling. "He is gone. We need to work on your composure, dear heart. Desparrow would be a fool to pick a fight with me."

Pilar shrank away from Desparrow, but kept the knife up until he left. Once she was sure he was gone, she sheathed the knife again and looked sheepishly at Larewen. "I... I know. I was just scared. He's... he's so powerful, and so ruthless... If he'd hurt you, I... I don't know what I'd do."

Larewen 's lips curled upward into a fanged grin at Pilar. "Have you forgotten, dear heart, how ruthless I can be?" she asked, closing the distance between herself and the fledgling. Mismatched eyes met Pilar's as she spoke. The necromancer gently cupped Pilar's cheek. "I will have no mercy, should he lift a hand against this city, my House, or the dead. For that, I will unleash the monster that I truly am, to preserve what is ours."

Pilar looked up at Larewen, then gently embraced her. She didn't want to believe Larewen was a monster. She loved her too much for that. But her behavior had been pretty erratic as of late. Was Larewen even the same woman anymore? She sighed softly. "O... okay."

Larewen leaned forward, pressing cold lips to the other's forehead in a motherly gesture before drawing back. She was unaware of Pilar's concerns, unaware that she had regressed to something darker than what she had been when she first met the fledgling. Nonetheless, she seemed at least in possession of control of herself for the moment, for the corruption began to fade from her features. A few moments later, the elf said softly, "He was seeking an alliance, and my aid. When I refused to give it to him, when I refused to risk the alliances I already possessed, he became angry. This may not be the last we see of him, but know that I shall deal with him before any harm can come to this place on his account." Her voice possessed that sweet, familiar cadence that the healer would recognize, this time.

Pilar relaxed as Larewen's corruption faded away, leaving behind the maternal figure she knew. She nodded as Larewen explained what happened.. "I'll... I'll keep an eye out for him. I won't let him hurt Vailkrin, or our House, or you." As if she had the power to do that.

Larewen furrowed her brow slightly. "If you see him, let me know. Do not try to face him yourself; I cannot bear losing one of my own because of over-zealous bravery. How have your training sessions been going?"

Pilar nodded. "Okay, I'll stay away. And they've been... okay. I need to practice more."

Larewen dipped her head, and then tilted it in the direction of the door. "I think it is, perhaps, time I have a talk with my fiancé. I haven't seen him in a bit of time. Be careful, alright?"

Pilar said to Larewen, "I will. I hope it goes well. Goodbye, Larewen."