RP:Some Battles Can't Be Won Alone
Library of Arcane Knowledge
Svilfon is sitting in the library with a small ball of electricity dancing just above one of his outstretched hands. Across from him rests Alahir, his gaze focused on the wizard, just as Svil's is on the couatl. They are locked in a contest of wills; Svilfon is trying to keep the lightning ball alive while Alahir is trying to break his concentration enough to cause it to fail. It is an exercise for them both; protection against pscionics, and interrupting spell-casting. Both equally important. It's rather clear that even if the whole world turned to dust and ash around them, these two would not notice; they are intent upon their game, and though occasionally the ball flickers out small bolts of electricity (which fade before they can strike anything), it seems the wizard is winning this round.
Satoshi has been watching the contest of wills for only she knows how long--after all, with the two participants seeming to be oblivious to the world around them, it was an easy matter to enter the room and make herself comfortable. In Persian princess style, Satoshi is sprawled languidly across a divan, a bit of furniture to the left of Alahir and Svilfon, and situated between them so that she has a perfect front row seat to the mental battle. Coiled about the magus' arm like a piece of living jewelry is Emielle, with the little cerulean serpent's upper body raised to allow her easy viewing. Eyes of azure and eyes of black slowly flick from the wizard to the noble couatl, with each blinking in unison whenever an errant spark flies. After a time, Emielle's gaze comes to lock on her brother, and gently her psionic voice spills into his head. ~Brother. The wizard's defenses are most unwavering. No matter how fiercely the wind howls, it cannot knock down the wall. But a tree's roots will dig beneath and slowly rend the stone, given time,~ she offers, following her own philosophies of 'slow and steady wins the race'. Although Satoshi cannot hear what Emielle has said, her quivering whiskers tell her the little couatl is up to something. The kit's eyes narrow, curious, but she remains silent.
Svilfon is indeed oblivious to Satoshi and Emielle's presence, as is Alahir. They continue their game unwavering until the most noble of couatls hears the silent whisperings of his sister's advice. So different in mentality to himself, yet wise and sure in her own ways. If couatls could smile, he would be wearing one now. He had been trying to disrupt the wizard's formidable concentration with force; to break down the walls of discipline forged within his mind and cause him to crack. But that is not the way to beat one such as Svilfon. So Alahir shifts and twists within the silent battle - no longer forcing the wizard to break down, but rather, flowing with the man's own concentration, adding to it, growing beside it; becoming almost one in the same, though the magic itself is something he could never control. He does not try to break down the wall, instead he tries to become it, to grow with it, beneath it, around it, all parts of it, until at the last he senses the wizard's confusion - their games never go this way! It's only then that he acts: within the mind growing, forging himself as the wall then demanding it no longer be there. Svilfon can only manage a, "Oh, by the balls of..." before the ball of electrictiy shifts out of control and gives him an altogether shocking surprise. If he had hair, it'd be standing on its end, but thankfully he saved from that. Instead he merely jolts about on his chair, before a crooked grin forms on his lips. "Clever." He turns then in surprise when he notices Satoshi and Emielle, and the smile turns even warmer. "Cleverer than Alahir. Greetings to you, lovely one. And you too, lady icicle." He tips his hat with a hand which still twitches a touch with the remnants of his electricity.
Satoshi, while she can detect the arcane shift and flux in that contest, couldn't be entirely sure what had caused the sudden change until she sees Emielle's reaction. When Svilfon is electrocuted, the couatl retreats behind a coil brought up in front of her snout, eyes peeking timidly over the scales in an expression that oozes sheepishness. ~I am sorry. I did not mean for you to be hurt by that.~ Satoshi clicks her tongue with a tut-tut-tut sound. "Emielle, ganging up on the poor wizard?" The couatl sinks lower behind her tail. A fanged grin flashes across Satoshi's face before she adds, "You're learning~. Some fights can only be won with the aid of another~." Giving Emielle an affectionate pat then to ease the self-conscious serpent's mind, Satoshi looks up at the wizard with a wink. "Hullo, wizard. Good to see you're home~." The spark of light that flickers through Satoshi's eyes then is her unspoken relief that Svilfon survived his fiery ending of the wyrm, although the shadow that follows afterwards is a silent wonder about how he has fared since.
Svilfon offers another smile to Emielle, but before he can ease her doubts Alahir speaks in a voice which whispers quietly in all their minds, ~He doesn't mind, sister. He promised me he does not, else I would not play such games.~ A flash of warmth towards Emielle and Satoshi both comes from him, before his voice silently sounds again, ~The lady icicle,~ Svil grins when Alahir uses his name for Satoshi towards her, ~is correct, of course. Not all battles can be won alone.~ Svil nods at that, before replying to Satoshi's words. "It took a while, having to walk, but I am glad to be home." There is a depth of feeling to that which goes beyond mere relief. "Even if those who look after this house have been acting rather strange. Measuring me?" He laughs quietly, "Though, I know not why." Perhaps they think his robes are not quite suitable enough for this coming ball, though Svil has heard nothing about it himself. He notices the unspoken question about how he has fared since, and he answers it with a crooked grin. "Freedom, Satoshi queen. Sometimes we know not when we're shackled until the bonds are broken. How fare you? And you too, Emielle? It seems too long since I saw you both."
Satoshi tries, and fails, to keep from grinning. Damn do those little pandettes and foxlings work quickly, already gathering measurements. She waves her hand in a dismissive manner, laughing. "Don't mind them, they're just excited that Frostmaw will be hosting a ball in the near future. They probably want to make you a pretty dress~." She's about to laugh again at the comment, when the image of Svilfon in a pink dress of lace, frills, pearls, and trains crosses her mind. Instead of laughing, the magus shudders. The horror! She'll have to make sure the serving critters know not to make dresses for the Coterie males. ...Just in case. When Satoshi shakes herself out of that day-nightmare, it's in time to see Emielle begin tapping the point of her feathered tail to her jaw thoughtfully. Svilfon's simple, courteous question about how she is doing, is one Emielle believes should be pondered carefully before answering. "I think she'll get back to you on that one, wizard," Satoshi explains with a crooked smile, an expression that widens marginally a moment later. "Aye, I know what you mean about freedom and not realizing you were shackled until they've been broken. I feel whole once more. I feel as if my actions and choices are purely my own. I don't taste the bitter flavor of doubt any longer. I am -me-. Quiet," she says while rapping the side of her head with a knuckle, "but me." ~I am well,~ Emielle finally answers, seconds after Satoshi stops talking to reach over and pat Alahir fondly. To the couatl, it seemed the most accurate answer after debating over many possibles.
Svilfon grins as Satoshi speaks of the ball, though the smile shifts when she speaks of a dress. "A ball?" Though, the Frostmawian queen's mind shifts to Svilfon in a pink dress of lace, frills and pearls, his own twists to thoughts of that farmer and his accusations. Of all the people in the world, of all the evil, twisted miscreanants which curse Hollow with their presence, that farmer's words are the ones Svilfon most wishes never come true. So he adopts an expression of shock and horror equal to Satoshi's own. It fades, though, as he takes in the pondering couatl. Such a simple question, answered so carefully. He does adore that about Emielle, and thinks it makes her a perfect companion for the queen. He listens to Satoshi's answer, though, and smiles again as he hears it - of all things, it's what he wanted to hear most. He understood well the taint of Bozrah within her - he'd felt it. And he knew too about Asorial's wrath, and Ko'tar's benevolence. He is sure it's best she is alone again, to be herself, and he says as much. "I am glad, lady icicle. Makes what we did worthwhile, even if our companion in the great dance doesn't see it that way." For a moment his smile wavers as he thinks of Hildegarde, before he shrugs lightly. She would find her own path, they would help her. "And to you, lovely one, I am glad you are well. And unchanged, it seems." Alahir, is altogether loving the attention given to him by Satoshi, though even still his voice sounds again, ~The wizard told me about the battle, lady icicle. Of what was done to bring you there, and your actions within," The couatl's gaze shifts to the vampire for a moment, before resting again on Satoshi. ~He said it was your actions which avenged my father. So I thank you.~ The voice fades from Svil's mind then, and rings alone in Satoshi's. ~He seems much better than he once was. Demons silenced, anger further away. I thank you for that, also.~
Satoshi, even while she is listening to Alahir's words in her mind, replies to Svilfon's remark concerning Hildegarde. "The Silver sees things from an angle we don't. And she feels certain things more keenly than we do. Mentally she hasn't had to suffer enough wounds like we have, o build the scar tissue needed to ward her against such pains. In all truth, I hope she never does. There is a certain innocence and vulnerability to her that makes her unique in this world. She is easily hurt, and yet that seems to be the trait that makes her so strong. I would not see it buried so that she can become hardened against the world's cruel bites. Too well we know some things must die, must be sacrificed, to obtain what is needed, wanted, or must be. She doesn't know this, and so she tries to achieve what must be achieved, while protecting every soul she can in the process. Like having her limbs tied to four horses running in separate directions. Most would be torn to pieces, or they'd cut the ropes, but she remains intact out of sheer stubborn will. Or honor. I don't know what the word is for her." While Emielle ponders over the words, Satoshi briefly flicks her gaze to Alahir, her response silent and strangely humble, for such a vain creature, ~I did nothing to be thanked for. I failed to save Emiur and your mother, I was made a puppet by the seer, and I alone could not have won that battle, not without those two beside me. I am only glad some good came of the entire black mess. Such as our wizard being able to smile again.~
Svilfon doesn't immediately respond to Satoshi's words. Taking a page from Emielle's book, he ponders them carefully before speaking; letting them sink deep and mix with his own feelings over the dragon. While he is doing this, Alahir responds to Satoshi in a voice which seems to almost scold the queen. ~You are wrong.~ Alahir is polite, moreso than the wizard he looks after, and he loves Satoshi very much. But part of what makes him noble is that he willing speak his mind when he knows it is time to, and this moment is such a time. ~My father's fate was not yours to alter, nor was my mothers. Their life was their own; the path they were driven to was dark and ended in despair and death. But they gifted the world with us, their children.~ A gift; so vain he is. ~And you avenged them... and in doing so were freed of pain and anger. Svilfon says I am a lot like my father... and if his words are true, then I know better than anyone that Emiur would be happy that his fate led you to this. To be yourself. For the wizard to be himself. Freedom, you said. He would be content knowing this.~ The couatl gives a rather regal nod of his head to the queen, and it's not until he does that Svil speaks again. "I said as much to her the other day, lady icicle. She doubts everything she does, and that is what keeps her noble and true. I do not regret the death of Elanor or the Wyrm, but she does... it's that grief and doubt which means she'll always question what she does, and never be led astray. The most dangerous of all are those who fight for good, yet never question their own actions... they are capable of more evil than any other. She is stronger than us both in her own way... though, I prefer the paths I walk to those she does." He offers a crooked grin at that, flashing his fangs at the queen. "Our world needs balance - I am glad she offers that much to us all."
Satoshi's only response to Alahir's words is the ghost of a smile, and a wordless sense of agreeing, that the couatl is indeed just like his father. To Svilfon, she nods, agreeing too with him. "She is pure in a way the self-righteous are not. It certainly isn't a path for myself either, but you are right, her methods keep the balance. Although her doubts sink to dangerous levels at times. It is part of why I knighted her; not just because of her selfless actions in the name of Frostmaw and ourselves, but because to carry that title, you cannot doubt yourself. Questioning and examining one's motives, yes, and I hope she always does, doubting to the point of infecting oneself with that crippling venom, no." The somber words end with a sharp nod. Yet only seconds later, Satoshi's features light up with an expression of delight. A delight so potent she's bouncing where she sits, and only refrains from clapping her hands so as to avoid jostling poor Emielle. "It's because of her that we're hosting a ball, you know! She was in a dress today, one so horribly suited to her. She looked so miserable that I couldn't help but sympathize with her. I promised I would get Iintahquohae to make her a dress a knight could be proud of, and fight in. Such a dress needs a ball so it can be shown off~. And a ball is where certain husbands will have to dance~."
Svilfon nods again to the queen, agreeing with her words as he often does, though he cannot help but add, "I wonder if it's wrong I adopted the title of knight myself, rather than having it bestowed." He flashes a quick wink, "Or rather, the title took me as I took it. Svilfon, Wizard-Knight. It does have a ring to it." He grins again at that; ever is it his way to simply adopt that which suits him most. He acts like a knight in Frostmaw, so he is one. It is just who he is. Even if he is different from the other knights who serve the queen and her country. As Satoshi's features brighten, so too does his own; her look is infectious, and he has no desire to restrain it. "Her... in a dress?" He laughs, the sound rich with good humour, "I'd have walked through a blizzard to see that!" Still snickering, he shakes his head. He cannot imagine the dragon in anything other than her armour. "And I do so agree. Too long has it been since I've danced, and too long still since this place had an excuse to celebrate something other than battles... even though, that is the favourite thing to celebrate here." As he knows well with the giants intentions for him to drink with them after the tournament. "I believe, still, I owe your husband a lesson in dancing... if I can find my goat, I may hunt him down to give it to him. I have something else to give him, also..." The wizard's smile grows brighter, then. "Teaching Kasyr to dance... why do I feel like it will be a lifelong commitment? Perhaps I'll buy a sword, and teach him that way."
Satoshi resists the need to comment that, like Svilfon, her title was one she adopted and embraced. No one had declared her Frostmaw's queen. She had simply taken it upon herself without truly realizing until the crown was on her head. Some titles must be bestowed by this no confident enough to claim them, others are adopted and excepted, because their wearers never doubt the authenticity. Amused by this as always, Satoshi grins all the more, an expression that's worsened by Svilfon's laughter. "Wizard~, if you can teach that kensai of mine to dance, I will tell Emielle to pass into your mind the sight of Hildegarde in a dress, for you to cherish always~." As if this were any proper deal, the magus extends her right hand out to the wizard--palm softly aglow where the Death rune resides.
Svilfon snickers at Satoshi, even as he extends his hand; upon it the rune of fire rests as an unhealed wound which seems to almost give a glimpse into whatever flames reside within the vampire. But he hardly notices it, and the pain it causes is bottled away deep within as a reminder of who he truly is. "We have a deal, Satoshi queen. Though, I cannot help but wonder whether the price I'll pay will be worth the reward..." He grows silent for a moment, before laughing again, "No, Hildegarde in a dress... that is a harvest I would plant many seeds to gather. A deal, Satoshi." For a moment as his hand is retracted he eyes her rune, before his pale gaze returns to her own, even as Alahir emits a sense of great joy. It seems Emielle shared with him the image of Hildegarde in a dress, though he would never share it with the wizard. Svil grins at this, even as he tips his hat in an unconscious gesture. "I'll get on it right away... as soon as I find that goat. I have little desire to walk all the way to Vailkrin; I never really understood how tiresome it is." He nods vehemently at that.
Satoshi, like the wizard, had lingered to eye the rune of Fire on his hand. Where his smouldered beneath the surface, hers carried an unnaturally blue ice. Everything about the marks are unusual, however, now that Satoshi thinks about it. She shouldn't be surprised that they seem to develop their own traits as the days go on. Shaking her head at this, the magus sits back and pretends to busy herself with straightening a pillow. The pillow's fringe is toyed with as the kit glances up furtively through locks of her hair. "You know," she keeps her face and voice carefully neutral, "there's always Trebel, if you can't find your goat." Because nothing says wonderful disasters quite like letting the wizard and house-sized puppy gallivant off to Vailkrin in search of Kasyr.
Svilfon was thoughtful for a moment as he watches Satoshi; like her he thinks the runes are unusual, yet they are suited to those they were given to perfectly. So different, they all are; the noble knight, the mighty queen, and the once again jovial wizard. So unique, yet bound together by blood, suffering and joy. What will come of those runes is anyone's guess, but surprised would be Svilfon if they were the same. He joys in what makes them all unique, even as he joys in what they all share. This line of thought is broken, though, by Satoshi's suggestion, and the look which flashes into the wizard's pale gaze is rich with the thought of wonderful trouble. "Oh yes, lady icicle... oh yes. Trebel would do just fine~!" He grins, even as Alahir shifts almost uncomfortably at his side. It's not shame he cannot take the wizard himself; he doesn't mind that at all. It's just the thought of Trebel and the Wizard causing trouble together.. though the shift soon becomes happy. ~I'll come too.~ he decides, and this makes Svil grin all the brighter. Trebel, Alahir and Svilfon together... it will be glorious.. even though he's sure Satoshi will be glad they won't be in Frostmaw together... the frozen kingdom might not survive it.
Satoshi pats the pillow firmly, as if sealing another deal. "Trebel will be ecstatic to hear~." Something in her words make the comment sound like a warning, which makes sense, considering hyper-happy giant anghas are potentially dangerous. But hey, that'll be Kasyr's and Vailkrin's problem soon, not hers!
Svilfon grins at the queen. "I'll leave you to tell him, lady icicle. I may rest a day or two more here in our library, and speak again to the Knight. Then I'll travel... just... don't tell Kasyr I'm coming. I think he'll enjoy the surprise of seeing us all." There's an entirely mischievous glow to the wizard's words... but he's sure they're true. He cannot understand anyone not being excited to see a wizard, a couatl and a giant angha all coming to pay them a visit!
Satoshi holds a finger to her lips, followed be a wink. She won't breathe a word~.
Svilfon responds to the queen with a crooked grin. How exciting this will be!