RP:The Gift of Beauty

Frostmaw Fort Main Room

The entrance room of the fort is massive in size, with flooring of stone and walls of gargantuan logs linked together snugly. Upon the wooden walls lay various trophies obtained by the generations of Jarls to have ruled over Frostmaw. A wide variety of creatures' heads are mounted, from dragons to mammoths, even giants and a few humans, in clear display of Frostmaw's victories big and small. Among these trophies rests a tapestry of masterful craftsmanship that draws the eye of most visitors. The woven image depicts a small, vulpine fiqure atop of the Gray Dragon, Ishataulak, a blade poised to thrust into the dragon's eye. Around the dragon and in support of the sword-bearing figure stands a skeleton knight and a black-clad swordsman. The tapestry conveys a sense of danger and death weaved within the image, caught paused just before the final strike, showing the destruction of the murderous Grey, and imparting the despair Ishataulak felt moments before death was driven home by the Queen of Frostmaw.

Hildegarde was conversing quietly with a frost giant woman, who seemed to be kneeling down so she might chat with the knight far more easily. The knight offered a sympathetic pat to her arm, gently pressing the coinpurse into her large hands. "Take it, Johanna," she urged, "I need not my gold for rations," she smiled warmly. "I shall survive, I must protect the people and you are one of them!" she grinned, offering another pat as the woman dried her eyes; rose to her feet and began to leave the fort. The Silver watched her go for a moment, flexing her fingers around the shaft of her halberd before turning to see if anyone else required her attention here in the fort.

Tyler :: As Hildegarde finishes her exchange with Johanna two elven guardsmen arrive in at the entrance to the fort. Between them bound by heavy shackles stands a raging Orc who is crying out with rage sending a nice mix of saliva and blood flying from his open maw as he attempts to escape the grasp of the two weak minions. The duo bring the beast to Hildegarde and explain that he was found in the streets threatening the locals and proclaiming damnation to the queen. They push him and the beast falls head first to the floor, and upon impact his skin shatters. Thousands of small specks of blue mana escape upon the floor before fading from sight and now laying before Hildegarde is a slightly bruised Tyler. Squinting his eyes and pulling at the shackles he grunts trying to catch the wind that had just been knocked from his breath. Caramel hues appear as his eye lids are peeled back and a toothy grin is provided as he stares in Hildegarde's direction, "Angel." He mutters beneath his breath. "I couldn't find you and I don't know my way around. I figured I'd find an escort." He bites at his lower lip as he fights the urge to laugh while his lungs still try to recover from the blow, a trickle of blood escaping down his cheek as the two elven kin look on in shock at their deceiver.

Hildegarde turned at the sight of the guardsmen, wondering why on earth they had shackled an orc! Why there was a raging orc here in the first place, she didn't understand but she wouldn't stand to see him abused as such. The knight attempted to reach down and soften his fall with her hands, but she was much too late: the head cracked against the floor, skin shattering to reveal Tyler beneath! The knight is awed, surprised and far more concerned than anything else. "M'lord," she murmured, "You need only ever ask my name around these parts, all here know me and know exactly where to find me!" she offered him a smile; hands gently attempting to grasp at him so she might pull him upright. "You are relieved," she said to the elves, dismissing them so they wouldn't attempt to arrest Tyler again due to the misunderstanding. "Let us get you free of these shackles," she said, moving behind him to break the shackle with only her might. "I can break the rest off or find a key later, if you like?" Hilde offered him a champion smile before finally asking, "But why were you looking for me?"

Tyler smirks as Hildegarde helps him to his feet and handles one of the shackles, though the acknowledgement of the rest of them is ignored as he instead proceeds to converse about his method of finding her. "First, I don't like your real name. Second, I don't like your title. Third, this was far more fun. And fourth, maybe I just missed you." Shaking his boots, the binds on his feet rattled madly as he kicks at them, dancing about. His attention returning to Hildegarde soon thereafter. "Though, maybe I also need to talk to you. Something a bit personal, if you don't mind." He nods around the room signaling to all the patrons of the fort, clearly unwilling to discuss his true purpose for being here in front of others.

Hildegarde heard the clinking of Tyler's chains, prompting her to look down at his bound feet and blush in embarrassment: how could she have not noticed? The knight gently placed her hands at his shoulders, "Beg pardon," she murmured, "but keep still," she urged as her booted foot stomped down between the chain and cleanly snapped it. The knight was far more powerful than her appearance let on. "Well, perhaps you ought to explain that to the people next time," she smiled, "rather than disguising yourself as a mad orc!" It was clear she was amused by it; no harm was done. The Silver nodded, ushering him out of the main room of the fort and into the hall, occupied by none - as all were busy with duties or the main fort room - and allowing them their privacy. "Speak your mind, my friend," she said kindly, "I am all ears."

Tyler is taken by surprise at Hildegarde's brute force, the human feeling a bit weak in her presence considering his muscle mass was that of a thirteen year old girls. As she moves him into the hall Tyler finds himself staring at her and his teeth bite at his lip once more as she addresses him as a friend. A moment hesitation is given as he begins to second guess his travel here, but finally decides to push through. A swallow is given to do away with the lump in his throat as his voice comes out in a shaken and worried tone, much like the night they met. "I, uhm, I... You..." He sighs and leans against the wall of the hall way, closing his eyes to balance his mind before proceeding. "The other night. I, might be mistaken, I tend to do so, I-I'm something of an id-id... idiot. But, when I com-complimented you." He eyes the scars and other disfigurements upon her visage. "You seemed to grow upset..." A moment of silence ensues as the human rubs his hands together nervously before focusing on Hildegarde once more, an index finger pointing to her complexion. "Do you not find yourself beautiful?" His final tone is far different than previous, almost blaming.

Hildegarde gazed at him curiously, obviously growing more concerned with his hesitation. Was he in some kind of trouble? Did he need her assistance? But as he finds his courage and begins to speak, the knight grows nervous: tensing immediately at the mention of a compliment, even more so at the mention of her becoming upset! "You are not an idiot," she answered, albeit bashfully. "I find myself to think unkindly of myself, Tyler," she answered truthfully, "and it is not a habit that is easily broken. I am burnt, scarred, cut and bruised. I have seen many cringe to gaze upon my face, more so when they see my… my eye," she offered a meek smile. "Some find me unsightly," she answered more firmly, "and that is not their fault. I have been mistaken for a man before, too!" she chortled. "But no. I do not think myself beautiful."

Tyler keeps a stern stare set upon the knight before him. His eyes bouncing about her features before slowly shaking his head. "Then you are the idiot." He pulls himself off of the wall and crosses his arms as he stares directly into Hildegarde's single eye. "You are beautiful. Despite what any imbecile could possibly say, you are one of the greatest creatures I've encountered in my time here." Tyler finds his words in truth, though his mind does think of Skylei's jealous running rampant if she ever heard him say such things to another woman. "Not just by sight, but by soul. You stand before a man of little respect, who speaks ill of your life choices and actions for a -worthless- kingdom in the snow, and instead of putting your boot firmly up his ass, you offer him water and kindness." The human jaw begins to flex as he becomes clearly emotional over the issue at hand. "You don't deserve to wear such scars..." A slender digit is presented as he pokes Hildegarde's chest just above her heart. "For one's complexion should represent what dwells on the inside." He retracts his hand and offers a deep breath before reaching to his belt and unfastening a single pouch. Sliding his hand in, as it retreats a sterling silver chain is wrapped around his fingers with an odd round locket swaying heavily from the end. The locket holds a steel star decoration in the middle, while a glass circle rounds the star filled with crimson blood that glows faintly from the mana residing within. Tyler doesn't allow Hildegarde anytime to question the artifact, rather he unravels the chain and reaches up on either side of her neck and fastens to the amulet to her. His stern expression slowly evolves into one that holds a sly smirk. His hand falls back to his belt and a small handheld mirror is produced, he turns to face it to Hildegarde. As she looks upon her reflection she will not find her wounds of battle but instead her face transformed into one of flawless complexion. No wrinkles, crows' feet, blackened eyes or even a single blemish. But above all else, her eye would be replaced and so long as Hildegarde believed it to be, she would be able to see from the once lost optic. He doesn't speak. Instead, the human simply stands in awe, admiring his project at work.

Tyler gave 1 Amulet of Flawless Complexion to Hildegarde.

Hildegarde had seen that stern look before on many faces: Satoshi's, Dami's, Eliason's, Aela's. Countless faces, all with the same expression, a stern look to chastise the dragon knight who thought so poorly of herself and yet had endless faith and pride in everyone else. "You are not a man of ill respect," she said quietly, as if defeated, "for everyone is worth respect. Especially my respect," she said much more firmly. At the poke to her chest, the knight is taken aback: few dared to poke a dragon, let alone poke a dragon who was sworn to protect such a hospitable land. But everything that happened next was much like a blur to the dragon: there was suddenly some kind of necklace about her neck - the first piece of jewellery she has ever owned or been gifted - and it has changed her face. At her own reflection, the knight is struck silent. Struck into shock by her visage. Oh how she looked before she began this quest: a bright eyed girl - both eyes - and so happy to serve, so happy to help everyone. Unburdened, unmarred, never faltering in her confidence. And now? She was a mess. Burns, an eye missing, scars everywhere and more muscle mass than the average man. Her fingers extend for a moment, as if to touch the mirror, for she is so lost in her shock she can hardly believe that it is her who looks back. "I…" she isn't sure how to react. Part of her misses that flawless demeanour, yet another part of her cannot help but think of all her sacrifice. It was something she had done to protect so many, to lose some and to mourn them. Those scars reminded her of these losses, reminded her of victories that soured over time in her mind. So truly, she cannot think of what to make of it. Her fingers reach for the amulet itself, gazing at it for a moment before ever so shyly - truly, you'd think a woman so strong would never be so shy - asking him, "Is… Is that your blood, Tyler…? I… I hope you did not hurt yourself."

Tyler keeps the smirk plastered upon himself as he watches Hildegarde take in the work of the artifact. As she questions the crimson liquid within the amulet he offers a single nod. "Yes, it is. I'm not like other magic users. I cannot speak some stupid words and enchant an item and then la-de-da be done with it." He raises his right hand to reveal multiple pricks, cuts and other piercing wounds. "I have to use blood enchantments. But, it... it doesn't really hurt per say." His hand falls back to his side and he finds himself staring at Hildegarde once more. "As said, ones appearance should reflect their soul... You carry the kindest heart I've seen in my life." Despite his initial resistance, he finds his finger moving to brush at Hildegarde's cheek, the smooth surface only causing his grin to widen. "I still don't know why you stand here and fight for a banner. I don't know what... idiocy must've been preached to make you feel like fighting under anyone is a good idea. But despite your mind being set on this frozen wasteland, I think your a good person." His eyes narrow as he now stares into both of the dragon's eyes. "A beautiful -woman-." He proclaims before allowing himself to take a step away from the knight. "I won't keep you any longer, Angel, and if you decide the amulet isn't for you, simply toss it in a river... (If you can find one that isn't frozen)" He mutters. He doesn't make his leave just yet, allowing himself a moment more to take in her new appearance. It was her choice of what to do with the gift, but Tyler felt he had made his point quite clear.

Hildegarde frowned slightly at the sight of his hand, obviously feeling a tad ashamed for having caused him some harm in the production of such a marvellous and beautiful gift. "You are much too kind," she said, the easy way of dancing around a compliment while neither agreeing nor disagreeing with it. "I fight for the innocent," she said gently, "and Frostmaw gave me a home when others would not. Most looked upon my raggedy armour and broken sword as if it were dirt, but Frostmaw gave me the chance to prove myself worthy. I owe much," she said, as way of a short explanation. At the words 'beautiful woman', the knight's cheeks blush a deeper red than any burn she bore, entirely embarrassed by it. Compliments never came easily to the dragon! "I shall be honest, I know not what to make of it! I shall think on it, though. Perhaps save it for when I am feeling at my lowest, for then I can think upon you, my friend, and feel a bit stronger."

Tyler would shake his head in disagreement as Hildegarde spoke of Frostmaw and her dedication, the human unwilling to understand why she would serve a banner. The mention of innocents only drawing a small laugh from his lips before she finishes. Upon her consideration of the amulet Tyler would nod, "Do with it what you will, Angel." Then, he speaks nothing more. Instead, promptly turning on his heel the human begins to make his retreat from the fort and into the frozen night of Frostmaw. As he leaves, his heart hangs heavy as he continues to think on Hildegarde's poor opinions of herself and of her choice of fighting for Frostmaw. Then, the images from the night prior flash in his mind. The entity on the beach of Chartsend as Tyler blindly signs his life into contract with the creature, giving into his greed. The golden needle resting in his pocket causing him a deal of bliss and regret all at the same time. The human had no idea, that he now served under a banner too. The banner of Vuryal, and the Risen Dominion.