RP:The Reluctant Witch and the Eager Assassin
Part of the Rest in Pieces: Vailkrin! Arc
Summary: Aerlithe becomes another victim in Larewen's desire for power, unable to choose the outcome of her own life after a chance encounter while leaving the Hanging Corpse. Blut reminds Larewen of their deal and she alters the arrangement. Talene watches from the shadows.
The Hanging Corpse
Aerlithe for the moment makes sure to keep to herself, the cloak worn covering her head while Steadman was approached. In a practiced movement, a handful of coins which were partially stained with blood were then turned over, exchanged for bloodwine so she could depart.. unless halted.
Talene 's bottle of bloodwine sat half drained on the table before her, chair back leaned against the wall behind her. Facing the main door, emerald eyes would be able to easily track any who entered. Scarlet cloak was left undone, casually draped over her lap, one leg crossed over the other. Even indoors, her cap remained donned, save for that one pesky random lock of hair peeking out behind one ear. Raising the flute to her lips, she'd drain the remainder of her drink before reaching out to pour herself a fourth helping.
Blut walked into the tavern dressed in his black assassins garbs. He had his hood up and his mask on so noone could tell he was of the liveing untill he took down his hood. Blut didn't order any food or drink he just read the carrion crow before takeing a seat next to the fire. Blut had sent a letter to lady Dragana about his intentions to meet he had already paid her now it was her turn to pay him. He walked Talens table on the way there but noone really garnered his attention. He crossed his arms as he waited being sure to be aware of any 'surprises'.
Larewen nearly collides with Aerlithe upon her entrance into the establishment and the witch is met with a cold stare. Wait, no. That’s not right. The witch will find her gaze meeting a blind, brown eye and an empty, corruption oozing left socket. Larewen’s right eye is trained on Aerlithe by its augmentation: she reads the other’s magic and this gives rise to a curl of the necromancer’s lip. “You, come with me,” the elf nearly snarls, her tone an underlying threat: she is not giving the witch a choice in the matter. Larewen sidesteps Aerlithe and a burst of magic fills the room, re-familiarizing the blind elf with its layout. A table is selected, one that is hopefully empty, and she seats herself, gesturing to a vacant chair for the witch. Her nostrils flare soon after, picking up to familiar scents: the woman whose path she crossed the other night and Blut. Talene will notice a change in the elf, most notably that missing eye, the strong stench of corruption, and more injuries upon her scarred flesh. Her nose wrinkles, both at the noble and the assassin, before she addresses the latter without looking to him. “Blut.”
Aerlithe reacts by dropping one of the bottles, startled as she was by Larewen's unexpected arrival. For only a moment is the loss of a meal lamented, before the words to her are heard, which had the witch preparing to refuse and return to her hiding spot in the forest. The authority of the order, and knowing departing would lead to bad things, ensured she instead did as told, the seat claimed as the remaining two bottles were cradled with care.
Talene's emerald eyes lifted from her drink, towards the order barked at the woman trying to depart the establishment. A dimple forms on one cheek as she half smirks; it would seem her acquaintance from the other night is used to speaking to others in such a manner. The foot from her crossed leg continues to tap a rhythm as she resumes sipping from her bloodwine, the darkly garbed man noted from his position, even regarded with a longer examination to see if maybe they were cut from the same cloth or not.
Blut rose from his seat and with a short bow "my lady I see you read my letter." Bluts body rose from the bow as he started to walk towards the necromancers table to claim a seat. "I do hope your personal delivered them successfully to you I worked hard to get them for you. Now I assume your here to honour your side of the agreement." Blut asked he didn't get a good look at the necromancers face even if he did he didn't show any change in his voice and it would be impossible to tell through his mask. He spoke in his regular calm manner. Blut looked at the two woman that she signalled to "and these..." Blut paused for a moment to consider what to call them "assisstants of yours should I know anything about them or not." Blut asked tilting his head his eyes glowed crimson faintly from behind his mask.
Larewen curls her lip at Blut and though she’s unaware of Aerlithe’s thought process, the witch’s choice is a smart one. “I did, but your gift was never received. Perhaps they were too weak to survive the horrors of the Dark Forest? Regardless, I have another proposal for you,” the elf replies, her words dismissive at best. As for Aerlithe and Talene… the necromancer snorts. She dips her head in Talene’s direction, though it is quite likely that, giving her blindness, her angle is not exact. “That one has yet to show that she is worth my knowing and this one,” she pauses to gesture to Aerlithe, “is about to take a more exciting role in this city and its politics.” Her face focuses in the witch’s direction. “I sense your magic. Are you aware your kind are persecuted in other areas of this world? You are fortunate. Let’s make others of your kind similarly so and you stronger. Do you like the sound of that?” She waits for the cost to be questioned as she pulls out a cigarette and lights it.
Aerlithe dares not say anything, still recovering as she was from the more formidable woman's aura, even when her life was being decided for her. Not even protesting she just wanted to stay in the forest, unbothered while learning new branches of witchcraft, the vampyric woman only asks, "Do I have a choice?" even knowing the answer would be a likely enthusiastic 'NOPE' by Larewen. Meanwhile, Blut and Talene are both watched warily, fearful either had something else planned.
Talene was decidedly not blind, unlike the woman so blatantly gesturing in her direction. Neither was she deaf, which is why her half smirk widened to a smile. Worth her knowing. That was for Talene to decide or not as she saw fit, and the fact that this seemed to bother Larewen gave her a perverse pleasure. If only she knew, and the thought made her chuckle softly. Adjusting her belt, hidden by the cloak draped across her lap, it was made certain that her usual small and discreet pouches were in place, and her usual items at the ready should they be needed. The change in Larewen's appearance had been noted, and the oozing of her missing eye did look quite painful. The rogue could sympathize only so far, however. The ego of the other limited that notion. Should any of them look her way, they'd be met with her enigmatic smile, and a toast of her wine flute in their direction. Blut shook his head as he he looked the woman in the face. " My kind would be persecuted regardless of how strong we would be. And whilst I do like the sound of it great I also know far to well that great power comes at a great price. What exactly would the cost be." Blut asked in his regular tone looking at her subordanates one seemed terrified of the woman whilst the other not as much but she still knew her position. "And I'm going to guess that the cost involves these two women that you brought." Blut noted as he looked at each of them ignoreing Talenes toast and smile after takeing note of her.
Larewen offers Aerlithe a toothy, fanged grin. “Sure you do, but why would you have to think about it? I would only ask for your loyalty in return. Certainly that is something you can manage?” Really, Aerlithe’s suspicion is right: Larewen has no intention of taking no for an answer from the witch. While the others might see Talene’s smirk and the hoisting of her glass, Larewen does not. Quite fortunate, given how easy a fuse Larewen’s temper can sometimes be. Blut’s words arch her brow, for she had been speaking to the witch. She says as much, “I meant the witch, Blut. For you, and your aid in my plans, I will teach you what you wish to know of shadows. If you choose to do so, you can even relocate here.”
Aerlithe has her attention turned back to Larewen the instant the necromancer spoke to her, ensuring the toast from Talene was only caught in her periphery. For a long few moments there were no words said from the witch, silence broken as she responded, "Anything can be managed with the right ingredients and skill," to repeat what she'd been told every day of her initial apprenticeship. After that, again she said, "Do I have a choice?" even as her right arm was stretched out to be branded, grasped, or whatever it was Larewen intended to do.
Talene finishes her fourth glass before plucking up her bottle. "Cheers.", to the barkeep before rising from her seat and refastening her cloak. A coin is flipped to the barkeep as she passes the bar, bowing at the shoulders as she passes the party at the table by. Boot heels thump a soft cadence as she makes her way out the door, and disappears into the street with a soft hum.
Blut raises a eyebrow at the shinanigans as he shakes his head. "My appolagies then. As for your offer in exchange for those leasons I will happily take that deal. However I will never relocate I travel all around hollow." Blut sets down a raident blue crystal "This is how I get in contact with my clients. Speak directly into it and crush it it will relay the message to my crystal. I do hope we can start these leasons soon." Blut enquired as he crossed his arms again "Do you have a job for me right now or do you wish to wait for a bit?"
Larewen smirks at the witch, the magic woven into her essence allowing the necromancer to see her extended arm. “You do, but I think you’ll choose wisely,” she replies. There is no brand for her to place upon Aerlithe, and so she settles with shaking the woman’s hand. “You smell of the forest. If you need a place of rest, the manse you have undoubtedly seen is mine. You are welcome to what lies within,” the elf says, her tone sweeter than wine. Her eyes close briefly as she hears Talene’s farewell, pointed ears listening to the tapping of her boots as she makes her departure. In a city where Larewen is used to respect, reverence, and fear, Talene fails to fall into the norm and this does bother the megalomaniac. Clicking her tongue and huffing on her cigarette, the necromancer speaks to Blut. “Very well. Soon, then. I have debts I must collect, but soon you shall learn.”She takes the crystal and with a wave of her hand it vanishes from sight.
Aerlithe is still mindful not to say any more than what she had, for one wrong word, and she'd surely wind up controlled, her body no longer own thanks to the magic which Larewen wielded. Once the necromancer had concluded the business here, and while she was quite intimidated indeed, all the witch said was, "I'm used to the forest," since the discomfort and danger kept her alert even while asleep.
Blut nodded as he stood up "very well then if our business is concluded for the day then would you mind informing me of who it was that was supposed to collect my payment. I want to ensure that they did die of terror and I was not robbed because if there is one thing that I do not forgive it is betrayal. Once I've concluded my investigation I wish to execute them with your permission if not I'm breaking some bones." Blut asked with his regular calm voice almost as if what he was asking was the most normal thing to do in the world.
Larewen nods quietly to Aerlithe before responding to Blut. “My servant, Sigmund, was to meet with whoever was delivering them. They never arrived and he returned empty handed. I would check with your own men, Blut. Until next time,” she ends with a wave of her fingers. Her attention returns to the witch soon after. “Good. Gather your things from your hovel then and bring them to House Dragana. It is south of the Black Pond.” Another order issued, the elf rises to her feet. “I will see you there, soon I hope.”
Aerlithe dares not to leave just yet, for fear of some unforeseen repercussion from an inadvertent slight. With the order, rather than protest, she just chose then to stare, unhappy that her attempt at maintaining some independence had been thwarted so easily.
Blut nodded and without another word he disappeared from sight. Useing his illusionary abilitys to become completly invisible as he walked out of the tavern he had some investigateing to do.