RP:The Witch's Devotion

Part of the Rest in Pieces: Vailkrin! Arc

Part of the In Darkness We Trust Arc

This is a Necromancer's Guild RP.

Summary: Aerlithe and Larewen meet. Larewen bids Aerlithe to choose her form of magic to study and Aerlithe chooses the dark arts, and is admitted into the Necromancer's Guild soon after.

The Dark Forest, Vailkrin

Larewen’s body is settled at the edge of a barrier, keeping a colossal golem at bay. Her body appears just as her image did to Aerlithe before, only it is tangible. She is kneeling, a black ichor seeping from various wounds; from the runes that are carved into her flesh having bit deeper into the skin to be inscribed upon her bones. This is what greets those who come this way. Only there appears to be two of the woman, for the banshee is visible at present, mismatched eyes fixed upon the entity corrupting that golem with distaste. Funny how things come back to haunt a person. Karma. Aerlithe seems to appear from out of nowhere, spontaneously generating next to you.

Aerlithe had intended to just return to the manor and settle in for a prolonged marathon of reading. This plan is ceased at once when Larewen, both versions of her, is seen, with only a momentary display of surprise. Once she's recovered, the witch dares to take only a few steps closer, saying at last, "Hello, Mother," attention ever on the golem lest it wind up stirring.

The ghostly form of the Lady Dragana is the one to turn and face Aerlithe, for her body is uninhabited by anything more than magic and a slowly beating, undead heart. Mismatched eyes study the witch, noting the brief passage of surprise with a faint upward tick of her the corner of her mouth. “House Dragana is not safe, presently,” she says, as if it should be plainly obvious. A moment later, she moves nearer the younger vampire and studies her quietly. The banshee is in thought, no doubt. Her head tilts slightly in regard to the woman before looking back to her body. “Your studies. What type of magic do you intend to strengthen yourself in?”

Aerlithe doesn't register the heartbeat, at least not consciously, while still her attention remains on the dormant construct, alert for the slightest sign of movement. When addressed by Larewen, it's to the banshee that the witch's attention turns, with a look of concern and then ponderance, for what had been said and asked of her. Less than a minute is spent considering the inquiry, before the younger Dragana says, "Anything that will make me a more formidible weapon, be it advancing my skills in using the dead as tools, adapting the magic I'd already possessed so it's more caustic, and creating walls of energy that leave living beings numb with the slightest bit of contact." With the answer, again Aerlithe is quiet, not even breathing for the moment, until Larewen responds.

Larewen listens as Aerlithe speaks, and if she finds pleasure in her words it does not show on those pale, ghastly features. In fact, a startling long moment of silence is allowed to hang pregnant in the air betwixt the two whilst her attention returns to the golem that roams the perimeter of the barrier. “The Dark Arts, then,” the elf says. “Have you considered joining the Mage’s Guild or the Necromancer’s Guild to further your studies beyond what my library may teach?”

Aerlithe , even with her increased confidence, now starts to worry as Larewen doesn't answer for what seems an eternity, out of fear she'd said something that had drawn the Matron's displeasure. When at last that fear proved unfounded, she then takes a moment to calm down, before, "I was not aware such groups even existed," is admitted. After this acknowledgement of ignorance, the witch adds, "Even so, I would wish to remain close to the manor, so that I can be called on in an instant to come to the aid of our house, unless you have other plans," so that there was no defiance of the Necromancer's wishes.

Larewen again lags in her response to the witch, her eyes moving past the barrier and in the direction of House Dragana. The House is without its own magic, having been robbed in a desperate bid to prevent Corruption from roaming freely. “The Mage’s Tower is in Xalious, which is some distance from here. The Necromancer’s Guild, on the other hand, operates out of this city. I have the authority to induct you into either one or both. Each can further your education in magic in different ways.”

Aerlithe is less worried with the second prolonged silence, since there had been no reprimand thus far. With the choice then offered, there was only a moment of hesitation on the vampire's part, before Larewen is told, "Both. To commit myself to only one discipline would be limiting how useful I could be to you." After that assertive answer, again she does await a reply, aware that it would mean no leisure time and necessary trips outside the safety of Vailkrin.. a price she was happy to pay if it meant reaching her potential.

Larewen lifts her chin, mismatched gaze finally fixing upon the witch in a more observant manner - as if she wasn’t quite acknowledging her presence prior to this moment. “I will inform Brenwyn of your desire to join the Mage’s Guild, then,” the necromancer replies, the edges of her mouth curling upward faintly. “I can accept your membership into the Necromancer’s Guild myself. Though what I can do presently is limited.”

Aerlithe is beyond relieved that her replies have all been met with apparent approval, even if she was outwardly as reserved as Larewen, now. When again she spoke, the younger Dragana now says, "I will make sure to uphold the name of House Dragana, and to never disappoint you, if it can be avoided, Mother. I will also do anything else you require, in addition to my studies in both schools," with certainty. That vow made, the ash-skinned woman then waits, attention turned again to the golem, just out of caution.

Larewen inhales an absolutely unnecessary breath in the wake of Aerlithe’s words before she dips her head slightly. “It would do you well to meet with other members of both guilds. Dyraxdiin is an Arcane Steward like myself. There are also several newer members. Within the Necromancer’s Guild, Khitti and Bradyn are Sclerati. Pyde and Goren are the same rank as you.”

Aerlithe continues to say nothing, now so she can remember the information given, after the instructions to mingle with those who were to be fellow students. Once they were all committed to memory until she could write the names down, the witch then says, "Yes, Mother. I will. What tasks do you have for me?" for she was ever the over-achiever.

Larewen presses her pale, translucent lips into a thin line. “Presently, focus on that: meeting your guild mates. Further your studies, particularly in sigils, enchantments, and binding magics. That will be of the most use at present.” With that, the banshee fades from sight. There’s no telling where she’s gone to, but the exchange has finished.

Aerlithe nods only when Larewen has vanished, her instructions committed to her short term memory as well. When that's been done, it's off to the library so she could write down everything and then study until the sun went down and travel outside of Vailkrin was possible.