RP:Sea Salt & Secrets

Part of the Welcome To The End of Eras Arc

Summary: While exploring the newly discovered cove, Quintessa stumbles onto Kasyr- and the pair discuss Rumiko's recent turning. That said, it's not long before the conversation veers towards Enchantment.

Mist-drenched Cove

Pushing into the crevice takes some degree of effort, and remains a sustained endeavor as would-be travelers find themselves faced with a lengthy squeeze through a claustrophobic corridor of moistened stone. And yet, those who persist will find their efforts rewarded, the passage gradually opening into a mist filled passage that slopes down. A passage that by any and all measure -should- be bleaker the further down one descends, and yet- the crevice leading in, is far from the only source of illumination.

Small motes gleam along the cavern walls, bathing the tunnel in a pale blue light. At a glance, they might be mistaken for gems, and yet- a careless motion, or an inquisitive prod will send them flittering into the air- minute insects whose crystalline glisten with misty dew.

As the descent continues, the tunnel widens, and those dancing lights only grow in number- filling the air with a symphony of chirrups. One that is punctuated by the sound of water lapping against a stony shore, and the faint creak of wood from the rickety dock that borders it. Within the brume, a few distant shapes can be seen floating on the blackened waters. Closer scrutiny would reveal these to be decrepit ships that appear more akin to funerary barges than proper sea-faring vessels, which have long since drifted down the sloping inlet and towards the stygian sea.

Kasyr's current perch is far from regal, having taken a seat atop a crate partially covered by canvas- his gaze tracing over the incomplete hull that was currently being built within the cove. Vailkrin had no real navy- it had never needed one before, but this vast and sunless sea promised new possibilities. The skills of long dead mariners and vampiric sailors, stagnant for so long, were suddenly pertinent. And with the vast procession that had heralded Chisels departure- word of this uncanny opportunity had only begun to spread faster. The sunless sea beckoned, and all the Kensai could do was watch as countless companies competed to be the first to chart out that eldritch expanse.

Quintessa has no love for the sea. She has no reason to visit this cove save for quenching the thirst of her curiosity. She has no other motivation for exploring these dark waters, the terror that grips her each time she even thinks about drifting too far out keeps her from ever entering the inky ocean. Still, while utilizing her misty form, she wanders the black crags and tepid tidepools, a wraith-like visage that floats slowly, searching for something in the area. Traces of powerful magic, malignant and intoxicating, swirl like phantoms in the distance. They draw her but she cannot reach them; She will not venture to Chisel’s final resting place to grasp it. Abandoning her search, Quintessa turns back the way she came, but before she gets very far she senses a new presence- the dark aura of Elazul and Khasad; A revenant curse she knew intimately well. Her misty form shifts and soars like a gale of wind, locking in on her new target that did not require her to explore a midnight sea. “Kasyr?” Quintessa becomes corporeal once more, pulling her robes tight to her body as she steps from the shadows in search of her king, “Are you here?” Though she can sense him, she is unaware of his position on his perch, her gaze casually shifting to watch the companies preparing for adventures in the distance.

Kasyr , idle as he is, would have little reason not to clue into Tessa's proximity when she first drifts into the cove- her presence, even in an immaterial guise, is still a welcome distraction from the tides. From those currents which even now served as a siren song for those eager to explore- to dance upon the precipice of discovery and demise. The promise of some unknown truth, if only the boundary of life and death was tested. Kasyr can't help but scowl down at those stygian depths, at the bitter memories it conjures up of a different expedition. "I'm here." His gaze flicks away from the incomplete ship, and its boards which protruded at odd angles like an exposed ribcage, to the changeling - his expression yet to recover from his earlier musings, "Happenstance, or were you keen to keep me company?" Not a moment after the remarks made, he finds himself grimacing at the sharpness of it. As though it might quell any other rapid-fire response, his tongue flicks out, grinding against one of his canines for a few long moments - and perhaps properly centering himself in the present moment. The water, and the oblivion it hides, are both set aside. "Sorry." And he looks it too, though less by dint of his sour expression, and more by the sodden nature of his hair and trenchcoated- or the small entourage of crystalline bugs which have seen fit to perch upon his form.

Quintessa turns her head to look up at Kasyr, the corners of her mouth curling up only just slightly at the sight of him. She turns as he speaks, a curious tilt of her head causing her innocent smile to quickly twist into Cheshire's smirk. “No need to apologize,” She takes a step backwards, her shadow-stepping boots transporting her right next to Kasyr as she falls back to seat herself on his perch. “I’m always keen to keep you company,” There was an honesty to her jest, a truth that she kept hidden behind sarcastic remarks. Now that Quintessa was up close she could see the strange crystalline bugs that were crawling on his shoulder, so without asking she reaches over to capture one. “You look like you’ve been keeping yourself busy… “ She idly muses, a transparent, green bubble forming around the insect in her grasp as she secures it for study. “Truth is I did not expect to find you out here. I’ve been trying to clear my mind… The situation in Enchantment has grown frustrating in light of recent events, as you might be aware. Rumiko was not meant to…” There is a distinct sense of guilt that overcomes Quintessa, wiping whatever mischievous smirk that remained away. She sighs, trying to clear the lump in her throat before she continues. “She wasn’t meant to get hurt… This was a diplomatic mission.” Now anger replaces guilt, an indignant, righteous anger. “The Queen of Enchantment has committed a grave crime against all unseelie fae and I cannot let it stand.”

Kasyr may have mirrored Tessas' head tilt, though his expression is considerably more wry, "I can't fathom why." As for the matter of his scheduling, he can't help but offer a pronounced shrug- the motion coaxing countless little wings into motion, light dancing around him as the insects seek out a new perch. And it would have been enough to leave it at that, to allow his attention to skirt back towards whatever vague future they were building in that cove - were it not for the changelings admission. "She nearly died because she offered to help us." That bitterness is rising up to the surface again, "Because she chose to trust us. That we'd get her out safely." The exact details of what had happened were still lost on him, only that she'd arrived on his doorstep practically dead on her feet, "Do you hold a grudge for what I did?" Did it even matter? It was done, and they'd all have to see it through. "I'd been meaning to ask her about what she'd discovered. It just." He rolls his eyes, more towards himself, than anything, "It seemed a bit utilitarian to press the issue about what got her killed before she really had time to get her bearings." Quintessa, however, seemed certain it was enchantment-bound - and that in itself was important.

Quintessa shakes her head slowly. “No, I do not hold this against you. I went to Enchantment and confirmed what you told me- You turned her to save her. You offered her another path. I… I know this was not part of your scheming.” Quintessa pauses for a moment to shift in her spot, moving so she is fully facing Kasyr now. “We’re going to take care of her- Both of us. She might be your fledgling but before you turned her she willingly adopted the name ‘Blackwell’. By fae law that means she’s now a member of my house… and by vampire law she’s also part of yours. In a strange way this binds our houses in much the same way I wanted by forging a marriage pact with you- but this way is cleaner. We have a chance to make this right… We shouldn’t mess it up.” The hopefulness in her mismatched eyes slowly vanishes as she thinks about Enchantment again. “As for who I *do* hold responsible for this?” Queen Lunalesca is playing a dangerous game by knowingly harming a fae from my house… Shall I start from the beginning? This goes all the way back to the day Caluss attacked Vailkrin… During the chaos that day the Avenue of Guilds was heavily damaged and the Bard’s Guild robbed. There were powerful magical artifacts stolen, arcane items that somehow have made their way to Enchantment… The suspicious part is that Lunalesca ascended to the throne the day after Caluss attacked. Kanna showed me the records of it.”

Kasyr offers the changeling a small smile- one tinged by the fragile relief which had been coaxed up by the trust she was affording him. One which grows a touch more concrete when she states her intention to ensure Rumikos' wellbeing. "One day at a time, et quoi-ce-soit." But there would be time for that later. He can see the steel entering Tessas gaze, hardening her expression in much the same way his has countless times before. He feels the indignation that bristles beneath the surface, and he offers her his attentive silence- his gaze never wavering as she lays her charges at the feet of enchantments current ruler. "Any specific traits of the pilfered items? Records about them, par chance?" Likely, the changeling was going to clarify on that matter- but, the question still remained. "Et do you think this was a matter of them waiting for Caluss' arrival at Vailkrin? Or, worse, do you think they may have acted to ensure things grew worse for the guild, just to facilitate an opening for their crime occuring?"

Quintessa frowns, unable to give him any specific details of the missing Bard artifacts, except one. “There was one that the undead known as Lefty was searching for, a magical sphere that can cause discordant sounds powerful enough to kill and maim but I don’t think it's related. Kanna alluded that there is a separate, more powerful item that Queen Lunalesca might be using to break the minds of the unseelie living in the ghettos. There were poisonous mushrooms there with spores that disrupted even *my* magic… From the outside everything looks splendid and opulent but once you take a look for yourself you can see the squalor they live in. That my dear Rumiko was subjected to that…” Quintessa growls under her breath. “I’ll make her pay for this. She is lucky I thought better of my plans to burn her castle to the ground. I bet if I put her to the knife she will tell me the full truth of this matter…But she apparently has two sisters that will continue her work in her stead. Even killing her isn’t good enough…”

Kasyrs' expression sours, as though he'd bitten into a dragons beating heart, "Lefty. Why does he orbit so many of the cities issues." That the undead aberration was searching for a missing artifact lent some credence to the idea that he wasn't responsible for the initial theft. That said, the same couldn't be said of the Moth Queen, if Tessa's report was accurate. "Squalor. I wonder... I asked you a long while back to help ensure there were adequate supplies being sent to the unseelie migrants, in part due to the newspaper reports," and to spite the queen. "Can I assume those supplies never reached their intended destination, then?" The swordsman pauses, a subtle violence bubbling beneath the surface- a tremor that causes the fog in the cavern to ripple and swirl, subjected to some unseen pressure. "Well, we were planning on a newspaper article. Perhaps we ought to make it a joint piece. Drag a few more eyes onto the situation." There's a pause here, and his expression is substantially darker than it was before, "You are still part of that happy little conspiracy, non? This feels like something they'd be inclined to investigate. Though, if you feel they wouldn't- well, my own advice would be to locate the sisters et deal with them first. They'd likely be less well-guarded than her, and any close scrutiny in the matter would likely need to be suppressed from outside sources if she didn't want her secret getting out." He pauses, before casually adding, "And that sort of stress would make it all the more likely she -would- slip up, if she was being watched by your peers."

Quintessa shakes her head. “The unseelie there are sickly and malnourished. I think it's safe to assume that any supplies I had sent there were intercepted by the crown and never made it to the dark fae… As for the queen’s sisters? Well, things get even more mysterious when we dig there. Kanna provided me with records of their birth and while they say three children were born, only two are named. There is evidence that the Royal Archives have been tampered with. Someone destroyed those records- they don’t want us knowing where she is. And the other? Solesca, who once vowed to set the whole of Lithyrdel to the torch when she became queen, is next in line to the throne, but her whereabouts are unknown. I’m already searching for her but I don’t have time to hunt for ghosts, I need to stop Lunaselca from hurting any more of my people. If blowing the lid on this whole conspiracy helps accomplish that then that’s exactly what we should do. There are three things I need to worry about: The poisonous mushrooms affecting the unseelie, the bardic artifact hidden in Enchantment, and the missing royal triples. If we can deal with at least one of these quickly then we can halt whatever Lunalesca is planning. If we do go to the papers, however, we should do so carefully so we don’t implicate Kanna. I don’t give a damn what the Queen thinks about me but I don’t want my actions to inadvertently hurt anyone else- not after what happened to Rumi.”

Kasyr looks unamused at the news that Enchantment had effectively enriched itself with supplies from Vailkrin, in the midst of its abuses of the dark cities former citizens. That said, there is at least something to take from all this, "Lunalesca- solesca? Is there a star equivalent for the naming scheme? An eclipse, peut-etre? The naming scheme seems to be important there. Terralesca? ...God, their parents were pretentious assholes. No wonder they grew up with an inflated sense of self." This deadpan statement aside- the swordsman attention actually focuses on the content of that message, "Solesca being blatantly militant es -less- of a problem than a schemer who knows how to navigate et manipulate the other leaders. We can consider her a non-issue, at least immediately- since her ascension would likely lead to pushback. A problem that might solve itself." That said, the other two issues were something else entirely, "The missing artifacts are a different problem. Without a means of being able to track or identify it- that accusation would fall flat. Which leaves the mushrooms. If they specifically effect Unseelie, you could perhaps have someone retrieve samples of them? It would just have to be someone unaffiliated with Vailkrin." And normally, that would be a bit tricky to figure out- except, "You could always appeal to a fellow witch, et perhaps fabricate the existence of other unseelie witches being held in a camp to Valrae. I imagine that situation would appeal to her sympathies- and were she to discover those conditions, she'd certainly be quick to blow the whistle on it." Kasyrs expression is morbidly amused to say the least, "If there's no witches to be found at the tail end, then they may have unfortunately perished due to the poor conditions. Regardless, she's trusted enough by everyone save Larket, that her word would be considered gold for most of the other world leaders." He makes a casual finger crossbow in Quintessas direction, "And at that juncture? Luna's just another tyrant. Open season, so to speak."

Quintessa can’t help but place a hand to stifle her laughter as Kasyr picks at the names of the royal seelie family. “Their mother was likely doing a lot more than poisonous mushrooms while she was pregnant, is my guess.” Quintessa picks up the conversation again quickly after their brief moment to cope with the situation with humor. “It seems like Lunalesca is using her younger sister as a threat, as if to say, “Kill me and she takes the throne.” A poor insurance policy if you ask me, but you’re right, she’s a non-issue. She’ll remain hidden wherever she is until she feels safe enough to poke out her head. I’m more worried about this unknown third sister… But with no leads to follow it seems like I should focus on the mushrooms. I can’t properly search Enchantment with them in the way so, like you said, I need to figure out some way to study them. Perhaps I can negotiate support from the Necromancer’s Guild or the Mage’s Guild? Purely as an academic endeavor. Unfortunately the only survivor who has made it out of Unseelie district is Rumiko, so our information is scarce. I know you said you are giving her space to adjust but perhaps it’s time we questioned her. She might know details that would condemn Lunalesca for certain- a first hand account of what’s been going on. Imagine the headline on *that* interview.” She smiles softly as she thinks about it, an exclusive one-on-one dialogue with Lynessi Blackwell on the front page. “As for Valrae? It seems she has her hands full with her war against Larket. The Battle of the Crimson Meadows devastated her forces and her most valuable general was captured. She won’t be in the position to help us until after she has wrapped this up… for good or for worse. This conflict has dragged on long enough and it's time she dealt with this herself.”

Kasyr may have bleakly snickered at Quintessas' theory. At least, until the sobering reality of her words begins to sink home. It's less the matter of the siwsters, and more the practicality of the mushroom issue that's taken root. "Lanlan es a wild card, and he seems the type that would be more likely to cover for Lunalesca and keep her in power so he could blackmail her later. I think the necromancers guild would be the best route, especially given your ties to its headmistress. Especially since those mushrooms are likely some form of curse, if they effect dark fae in general." His fingers rub together, the sole indication of his discomfort as he speaks- though it soon abates, "She's likely recovered enough from turning at this point that she'd be more grounded, oui. That said, given her newfound state, et by extension, affiliation? I think you'd still be best served by getting the necromancer guild's support before any newspaper article was released. Et Valrae's support certainly couldn't hurt once she's won her war." The swordsman pauses, before offering Quintessa a smirk, "After all, when we release our other article- having something she can focus on for a moral win will certainly help to smooth things over." The matter of her captured general does weigh on the swordsman, however, "I suppose I ought to negotiate for Mathollaks' release, if it looks like he'll get executed. I do question the idea of making him a general, however. He's a soldier, a warrior, at heart. ...That, and I can't help but wonder how inebriated he was."

Quintessa averts her eyes as she thinks, considering if Lanlan might try to double cross them if he found a way to gain leverage against them. Her last conversation with him regarding Trist’oth did not turn out well for her, so she is inclined to agree with Kasyr on this issue. “Yes… And I can appeal to my mother’s sense of decency. If she knows she can help innocent people by clearing up these mushrooms then she will make earnest investments to do so.” When Mathollak is brought back up she can’t hide the way she looks up at Kasyr, her concern for the Delishian written on her expression. “Please, do not let him die. It does not matter if he was ready to be a general… He got caught up in this mess and people followed his lead. It's a natural place for him to find himself… but he ought not die for it. The world will be a much less interesting place without him in it.” With the confession that Quintessa indeed had a heart and cared about other people out of the way, another issue lingers on her lips, the changeling hesitant to speak it. After a couple of seconds of silence she finally pushes down her anxiety and voices it. “There is one last problem I should tell you about. The other night, when I spoke to Kanna, I was preparing to destroy Enchantment… I don’t know how successful I would have been but I performed a specific ritual, the uh, Rites of the Thrice-Fold Reprisal. Kanna convinced me not to follow through with my intentions but the ritual…” Quintessa finds herself struggling to put the complexities of this spell into simple terms. “I have three moon-cycles to expel the powerful destructive magic the ritual granted me or it will slowly eat away at me. I, um… I don’t know anyone strong enough that could withstand that kind of raw power except you, so I was wondering if… You might be willing to fight me- somewhere safe, for sure. I have no idea what I’m capable of and I don’t want to cause any collateral damage. This isn’t too odd of a request, is it?”

Kasyrs' only reponse to the matter of Mathollak is a small nod in regards to her plea to see the man returned safely, though the swordsman doesn't dwell on the thought for too long. It'd be a bridge to cross when it got there, and quite feasibly moot if Valrae acquired a suitable target to ransom for his release. Or a victory on the field of battle. Which left the final matter on Quintessas agenda. Frankly, when she confesses to her intention on obliterating Enchantment, he looks less surprised, and more bemused, "Impulsive, as ever." That said, his expression changes once she admits that her particular rite perhaps veered a bit more towards self-destructiveness then he would have liked, "If I had to guess on your success rate- you'd likely succeed in doing a fair bit of damage due to the overall complacency of the region, but, you would have likely succumbed, especially given everything they've apparently prepared to subdue dark fae, in particular." He pauses there, before tilting his head off to the side, "Probably would have used it as an excuse to act with a bit more impugnity too. If the relative reception to the necropolis situation, et the suggestions from Rynvale were any indication- insurgents warrant the violent containment, or even genocide, of the affiliated populace." And while it could be partly attributed to the 'darker' nature of the undead, would that spare the unseelie from that same categorization? He tries not to think on it too hard, choosing instead to focus the scowl that had formed on his face at a non-distinct point on the glistening walls of the cove. "But, as for your question- well, you had wanted a spar. I suppose this just has a bit more urgency attached to it." There's a question there, something on the tip of his tongue- but he refrains from saying it, from indulging in curiousity, or perhaps judgement. Instead, his hands knit together as he finishes mastering his expression, and returning it to a semblance of neutrality. "I suppose I'll just have to make a request later, in return."

Quintessa can’t help but smile when Kasyr calls her impulsive, a bittersweet sting of nostalgia making her heart skip a beat. “Even if I were successful I doubt the other regions would see my sudden hostilities as a justifiable thing. It was not that long ago I was in Valrae’s bedroom with my sword drawn… Killing Lunalesca would be all the proof they’d need to condemn us, but at that moment I didn’t really care. I wanted to make a point… A younger me would have faced off against every pixie knight in the whole Queendom.” Quintessa scoffs in spite of herself. “Silly girl, always wanted everyone to be scared of her and now that she’s grown up she spends all her time convincing everyone she’s not that bad.” With a sad sort of smile she returns her gaze to Kasyr, sensing that he had something more to say but not wishing to try and pry it out from him. Perhaps she didn’t want to hear the question that lingered on his tongue. “Yes, a spar. We’re both considerably stronger than we were the last time we fought, and as usual I’m going to have trouble holding back.” Her smile loses its sad tone as she giggles. “Thank you. And yes, I shall perform an equivalent favor when the time comes.” She flashes a flirtatious grin. “Right in your pocket for whenever you need me.”

Kasyrs expression darkened at the mention of condemnations, alongside a faintly muttered, "Not that it takes that much." Still, the rest of her musings are left uninterrupted, as she navigates the highs and lows of her prior actions, before ultimately returning to the subject at hand, "That seems to be the case in everything you do, cherie. That said, if the severity of what you did is accurate- we should likely address this sooner than later. Perhaps in the midst of your old haunt in the forest? Or the ruins of the Dragana haunt." As the changeling perks up, he can't help but mirror her to some degree, perhaps due to how singularly sincere that shift in mood is. "Someone es apt to get jealous at how willing you are to put your life in my hands. Et if you're not cautious I might make good on it some day." He finally moves to slide off from the top of the crates, his hands slipping into the pockets of his trench coat, seemingly heedless of the water droplets which had accumulated even within the interior, "Though, I'd imagine you'd have some explaining to do, even were I to simply take a taste." And just as quickly, his attentions shifts - first to the boat with its undoubtedly ominous future, and then towards the passage that led to the cove, "Was there anything else you wanted in this moment, however?"

Quintessa is silent for a moment as she thinks, her eyes drifting off to stare at nothing as her half-smile remains stuck on her face. “I put my life in your hands a long time ago, Kasyr. As much as I used to fight it, I cannot deny it any longer… A part of me belongs to you. It always will, no matter how crazy it drives Karasu.” Quintessa slowly follows Kasyr’s lead and slides from the crates to stand next to him, her arms moving above her head as she stretches her body. “I’m not sure what explanations I’ll have to offer her but… I’ve been wondering who will get a taste first; You or your new fledgling.” She flashes a cheeky grin but Quintessa is only half joking. She’s had her eyes on Rumiko already but now there was a new, exciting layer of excitement on top of her interest in the former fae. “But that is an issue for the future.” She’s quick to change subjects, “We’ll find a location to fight, if not in the forest the Nameless Desert feels appropriate. I could really let loose out there with no fear of what I would destroy. I’ll find someplace suitable regardless.”