RP:The Killing Type

Part of the Through The Looking-Glass: Return To Wonderland Arc

This is a Devout's Guild RP.

This is a Necromancer's Guild RP.

Summary: Khitti seeks out Bradyn Mahara, a former associate from the Necromancer's Guild and all-around not-very-nice vampire guy, to ask when he knew Vakmathras was calling him. Khitti gets her answer and realizes that, perhaps, Vakmathras and Delisha has been calling to her all along. And Bradyn... joins the Devout's Guild...? (Khitti's still thoroughly baffled by this and likely will continue to be for some time.)

Dimly Lit Reading Room, The Black Library, Vailkrin

Khitti || Off and on lately, Khitti’d been to Vailkrin, but it’d been mainly to torment Larewen from afar with various anonymous scribblings on the tavern’s board. And then suddenly, the elder vampiress had disappeared yet again, this time with Elioyahazer, and the redhead found herself lacking in reasons to go there. But, that was before Khitti’d started going to the Shadow Plane again. -Now-, she was finding herself in a bit of a dilemma. It’d likely be some time before a trip to The Nameless Desert was made with Zahrani to scope out the temple of Vakmathras there, and she didn’t quite feel like heading to Larket and it’s Chapel of Pleasure just yet either. And with the leader of House Dragana gone--and apparently some new blood claiming it for her own (it -really- took Khitti a lot not to approach this new vampire; Khitti knew full well what Larewen was like and leaving her place to someone else seemed rather unlikely)--then… who else would Khitti talk to about Vakmathras? Only one name came to mind--and no, it wasn’t anyone from the Larket monarchy. After a lot of inner arguing with herself, Khitti’d eventually find her way to House Mahara… only to be told that Bradyn wasn’t there. So she headed to the Black Library, House Mahara’s pride and joy, and found herself stepping into the recent past. “Bradyn,” Khitti said quietly, politely, as she stepped into the doorway of the reading room. And it’d be all that she’d say for the moment. He likely smelled or heard her coming, or even sensed that weird mix of light and dark magic in her, but Khitti knew better than to just waltz in much more than she already had--Bradyn had ever been the type for formality.

Bradyn Mahara was exactly as Khitti would recall, probably much to her dismay. It had been some time since the two had crossed paths, and it was understandable as to why. He was never exactly one of her favorite individuals, though he has never really minded her company. Well, at least he did not back when she was a vampire and a member of the Necromancer's Guild. His tolerance for Khitti might have changed just as much as she has..but the Maharan is adept at least tolerating those that he does not like, Vailkrin politics have taught him that much. Take his interactions with Larewen, for example...he never truly cared for the woman and does not miss her in her absence. If Bradyn were truly concerned about Khitti's arrival in a room that he often spends his time, the vampiric necromancer would have surely managed to make himself scarce...for Khitti is right, he is well aware of her arrival before she verbally announces it. Why wouldn't the Maharan have spells and wards to warn him of guests, friendly or foe? The fact that Khitti was now amongst the living made her presence even more prominent to his senses. How mad would she be if she were to become a vampire again he wonders, as he flips from one page of the book to the next. That thought is not far from his mind when she locates him sitting in an armchair within the reading room. "Khitti," Bradyn responds, only barely resisting the urge to greet her with a charming 'what do you want'. Only barely.

Khitti did her best to resist her own urge, though hers was smirking. There was also a twinge of jealousy right now, because goddamn did she miss this library. How often had she spent her time here researching for things about the Shadow Plane or her necromancy or even her vampirism cure? Surely, she’d kept count at some point, but now that was all gone from her mind. It was clear he was busy, and so she’d not even ask if he was--she’d just get attitude, after all--and didn’t even offer an apology for disturbing him, for she would have none in return if he ever approached her for anything (not that he would really). “I need to speak to you, about Vakmathras--and to a lesser extent, Delisha.” A few more steps were taken, but still she chose not to infringe on his personal space (that of which she assumed was a LARGE bubble), “Some things have transpired recently and I’m not quite sure if I’m crazy… or if I’m being called.” The last time they’d seen one another, Khitti’d informed him that she’d lost her dark magic, thanks to Facilier, and so now, as proof that things had indeed taken a strange turn, she summoned up that once familiar purple and black shadowfire. She of course had no idea why he was thinking about her just now, but she was not so stupid as to not show up in Vailkrin unarmed--Tenbatsu Kaji was in its place on her back and her new gladius, Embershard, sat against her right hip.

Bradyn :: Giving Bradyn a large bubble was probably a wise idea for the vampire was not known to be as overtly bloodthirsty as Larewen was, but he has never claimed to be lawfully evil either. The book that Bradyn was reading is closed gingerly when Khitti confirms that she is in fact here because she needs something. It's fine, it's not like the vampire was exactly pressed for time. Not like the human in front of him. In truth, he had not really bothered with continuing his reading since he flipped that page but as Khitti is already expecting...Bradyn does have an attitude and it does not usually manifest with insults and name calling. The normally monotone vampire heaves a sigh, an act that is entirely unnecessary in itself...as he did not require air to pass through his lungs, but it was still done...because how much more of an imposition can Khitti be? Intrigue is perked when the Maharan observes something that typically is not so. Had Khitti not confessed to him that she had lost her dark magic? At first the Maharan had half a mind to send Khitti back out onto the streets of Vailkrin, but instead she is eventually met with questions. "Do you believe that they are calling to you because you are able to utilize your dark magic again? Or is there another reason?"

Khitti || That aforementioned smirk of Khitti’s finally made itself known once he sighed. Mmm, yes. Her presence alone was enough to bother Bradyn and honestly… she found it entirely amusing. Her unlife had been taken away, but her personality had not. “According to an entity in the Shadow Plane, the dark magic had never been taken away from me in the first place. Just suppressed. Clearly, Facilier--the high priest of Vakmathras you met briefly before my second death--had been utilizing more of his tricks. That’s not really the problem, however.” Khitti paused for a moment, and removed her katana, setting it on the nearest table before taking any further steps towards Bradyn. Once she stood just enough near to be able to hand him something, she reached into her coat and withdrew a book. “But, first, because I’m certain you’re wondering just what the hell you’re going to get out of this conversation--” The tome was not quite as thick as some of the others in the Black Library and nor was it as old. It wasn’t old at all, in fact. Newly bound in black leather, the title ‘The Plane of Shadows’ as well as ‘Compiled by the Prophet Emeritus. Translated by Khitti Herzegler.’ was etched into the front cover and the book’s spine and colored in silver leafing. Regardless of its newness, it was still passed to Bradyn, her line of sight ever fixed on the vampire. “--I’m going to give you this. The very first time I went to the Shadow Plane, I was given a book and the means to translate it. This is the only other copy of the translation. The first, as well as the initial book, are kept elsewhere. It has everything I know about the Shadow Plane in it--including how to get there--and room for more information should I acquire it. While I imagine I don’t have to tell you, I’d keep it somewhere where people like Raevyn or anyone else untrustworthy can’t get to it.” She meant pretty much everyone, Bradyn.

Bradyn rises when Khitti approaches, if only to accept the book that she is trying to present to him. Given her instances that he be careful who gets hold of this particular book, it does briefly cross Bradyn's mind that perhaps Khitti has omitted sections. That would have been smart of her, to keep certain sections of it to her own knowledge. Bradyn would not be able to fault her, it would be a very Maharan thing to do. One way or another, this information was information that the red head before him valued dearly and it was information that Bradyn did not have at his disposal before. HIgh valued items are only offered up for high cost requests. "I am still not entirely clear what it is you are wanting from me..." But at least Khitti was slowly convincing Bradyn to be more cooperative. For example, it did not escape his attention that she was without her katana. Now would be a great time for him to see how angry Khitti would be if she were to become a vampire again. Or what would happen were that weapon on the table to vanish. No, Bradyn mostly minds himself. He returns to his seat and begins to slowly skim the contents of the book Khitti has presented. He is trying to see if this information is even worth his time or consideration. "What are you wanting from me?"

Khitti || “I wasn’t going to just show up empty-handed to ask something that most might consider of a personal nature--especially when -you’re- the person that’s being asked,” Khitti said, that smirk of hers reappearing. She heaved her own heavy sigh finally and shook her head, finally getting to the point, “Look, the thing I want to ask is: when did you know that Vakmathras was calling to you? Was it a feeling you had? Did you just sort of… default to worshipping him because you were a vampire and a necromancer? I’m sure that’s how -some- of the people in Vailkrin are, but you don’t seem to be that way. I’ve only been in this “business”, for lack of a better word, for two years now, so some things are still new to me. Cyris was a lot more obvious when he all but smacked me in the face with a sword in Craughmoyle and the sprite inside it started trying to communicate with me. But, the bloodthirst I had when I was a vampire has returned--and I don’t mean the physical need for blood. I mean the want to kill for revenge… for justice. I’m starting to wonder if Vakmathras and Delisha have been calling to me this entire time and I’ve just not been wanting to see it. Even if I’d had an inkling of it when I was a vampire, I would’ve still ignored it considering most people outside of Vailkrin don’t take kindly to vampires or the gods people seem to consider “evil” and Larewen had decided to banish me from Vailkrin. Not that that stopped me from coming here anyway, but I digress.” Crimson brows knitted together in annoyance, her attention shifting away from Bradyn finally, olive-green eyes looking around the room, “How did you -know-?”

Bradyn issues a rare smirk when Khitti actually asks if he was the sort who defaulted to worshipping Vakmathras by default...but she was not wrong when she goes on to point out that he never struck her as the type. "It has been so long..." The vampire admits and then there is silence, for Bradyn has to think back and recall. "When I was a human and in my teenage years...I first studied to be a doctor. Except the more I studied, the more I found that I did not have this urge to help people....to nurse them back to life from sickness." Yes, he is saying he wanted to kill them. It's probably a good thing that he never really got patients of his own, and it obvious why he never got far with his studies. "It was around that time that I started to become more keenly aware of Vakmathras." It made sense, most kids don't really care too much about the gods without the influence of their parents. Bradyn would have been coming into his own as a teenager, as most do. "It was also at that time that I changed career paths and became a mortician." Well, that was probably a nice way to put the fact that even his teachers began to become concerned if it would be the right career for him. It's a good thing too they had some senses, Bradyn does not need to be trusted with peoples lives. "I would say that it was actually Vakmathras that influenced my decision to be a vampire and to study necromancy, and not that I defaulted to him because I was a vampire with a talent for necromancy." Bradyn pauses. "But he calls to us in different ways....and it is hard to deny that death is all around us, in everything. Even you...right now...slowly dying with every breath made." Bradyn makes no effort to speak of Delisha, he thinks it obvious as to why. "But if they are indeed calling to you, does that put you at odds with your current god? Or perhaps even some of your fellow guild mates?" Yes, Bradyn is going to make the assumption that his type is not welcomed.

Khitti || There doesn’t seem to be an ounce of judgment on Khitti’s face as Bradyn revealed a bit of his past. She’d had to tell many in recent months that she was not a squeaky clean individual, so to have some sort of opposing opinion when it came to his various career paths, it’d make her quite the hypocrite--if she’d had any thought of the sort that is. But, she didn’t. “Whether or not Cyris would “approve” of it was definitely the first thing that came to mind when I had the realization that maybe they’ve been trying to get me to listen for some time now. But, I’ve spoken to someone that’s gone much further down the path of the devout, when it comes to Cyris. She’s a paladin--something of which I knew early on I could never become because Cyris holds them to such high standards--and even she says that she finds herself favoring Delisha at times. Cyris hopefully won’t decide to smite me someday, so long as my reasons still align with the things he holds domain over.” And by that she meant the whole freedom and independence thing. Khitti shook her head, shrugging somewhat, “The rest of the guild? I don’t care what they think. I’ve been trying to teach them all about the fact that death and pleasure have their own places in this world. For someone like me to preach otherwise… well, I might as well have never attempted to run the guild in the first place. There’s still some that are not keen on the idea. I almost had a two separate people, a follower of Vakmathras and another of Delisha, join the guild before they both decided to take their leave of Lithrydel and there’s no telling how that would’ve gone. But, regardless, it’s their choice to do so.”

Bradyn falls silent. The vampire is giving much contemplation to the words that Khitti has spoken, well...more the tail end of it all. If Cyris would or would not smite her was really her own personal problem at this point. The will of the gods could be such a fickle thing. What he finds curious is that Khitti has entertained two other followers of Vakmathras before. Why would they have considered joining? This question internal question tugs as Bradyn's curiosity and for a moment his gray eyes falls down to the book that rests upon his lap. No, not the one that he was reading prior to Khitti's arrival, but the one that Khitti just gave him. Knowledge is power, what else could he possibly be missing out on? "I should like to join," Bradyn states flatly, which is really about the norm for the vampire. It would be more worrisome were he suddenly jovial.

Khitti couldn’t help but blink. And then she blinked a bit more. Anyone that did not know the personalities of these two individuals might have just assumed that there was something in Khitti’s eyes--maybe both of them. There’s likely to be some dust here and there in the library, after all. But, the blinking wasn’t because of that, of course. It was because Bradyn just said a thing that Khitti wasn’t sure if she heard right. “You--wha-?” It isn’t very often she lost the ability to speak--though it’s for certain that there’s plenty of people that wish it was a permanent thing, Bradyn likely included in that list--and for a few moments she sort of just looked like a fish out of water, with her mouth agape and then closing and then reopening and rinse and repeat, albeit without the flopping around (though if she were anymore shocked, there probably -would- be flopping around on the floor). “You want to join… my guild?” Khitti quickly pushed the shock aside for now and attempted to resume a more business-like frame of mind. If she made too big of a deal about it, he’d likely retract his statement and never say such a thing again. “You can join, so long as you realize that there unfortunately -will- be opposition towards our way of thinking, as I said. I can’t stop them from having those thoughts, or even voicing it, but if it escalates, then I will certainly step in--and that applies to everyone. I already know you can be civil with people you don’t particularly care for, but there’s others that worry me at times.” For the moment, Largakh came to mind, but Khitti wasn’t going to voice it. Bradyn likely had neither heard of the half-orc and nor did he likely care. “Give me your hand,” she said, holding out her own, palm side up and showing that alchemical symbol for putrefaction that’d been carved there a month or so ago. “It’s nothing weird and no light magic. Just a rune spell to let you into the guild hall. There’s a passageway from the Vailkrin headquarters to the main one in Kelay, via the former’s storeroom, should you wish to go there but not actually deal with people outside of Vailkrin. I made it a point to put a library in there. It’s certainly different from yours, but I imagine you’d probably like it just the same. If there’s anything about the two of us that are alike, it’s definitely the love of books.”

Bradyn might delight in Khitti's reaction, but none of it is outwardly displayed. Unsurprising. The feeling is definitely mutual though, Bradyn does also find it enjoyable to get these reactions out of Khitti. The Maharan issues a shrug of indifference when Khitti thinks to mention that some will not care for his way of thinking, and that is just fine. He would be lying if he said he truly cared for most others way of thinking....but caring about something and understanding that something are two very different things. He could be civil but even he had his limits, so hopefully Bradyn and Largakh never cross paths. It is only once Khitti explains what she will be doing that Bradyn offers over his hand at her request. "Understood. I will mind myself within reason. It would be foolish of me to not expect opposition." It was sort of the way of things. He was not a nice man and he sometimes does not have nice ideas....but Khitti knows this already, surely. Perhaps not to the fullest extent, but he'd certainly like to keep it that way.

Khitti summoned up a bit of shadow-ice, using a frosty finger to “etch” the rough sketch of the guild’s sigil onto the top of his hand. The action was quick so as to avoid further encroachment on his personal space and his hand released soon after. Unlike everyone else’s runes, however, Bradyn’s glowed black before disappearing. “I’ll leave you to your book then. I appreciate what you’ve told me and I’ll be sure to let my assistant Camina know to tell the others give you your space whenever you’re there. There’s plenty like us that like our privacy and quiet spaces, but… you know how it is when new people show up and seek to interrupt that.” Khitti turned to leave, moving to grab her katana. Once she hit the door’s threshold though, she spun about to face him again, “Oh, before I go…”, and proceeded to ask him if he wished to be known as anything special within the guild. Something something fancy title that was unassociated with his rank in the guild. You know, the usual. Whatever he’d decide, Khitti’d nod in acknowledgement, then would leave him to his own devices.