RP:To Save An Avian

From HollowWiki

Part of the Vakmatharas' Jar Arc


Summary: Brennia and Vermillion just finish their debate and trouble arises just as Corvo was giving Brennia a hard time about the ring she was wearing of which was given to her by Daermon.

Grand Amphitheatre

The first thing one will notice upon visiting the massive amphitheatre is the amount of detail carved into the stone used to construct it, down to the pillars that hold up the highest seats. The images show various plays that have been performed or may be performed here in the future, along with various musicians and poets, even decorated warriors and elected officials that have come and gone. Stair rails leading to the rows and rows of seats are gilded in gold and the circular stage below is illuminated by a series of small gold lanterns floating overhead and a few more fastened into the stone floor. The stage appears to be set, and elaborately costumed men and women begin moving toward it from behind the painted backdrop made specifically for the play. The audience gathered goes quiet. It looks like the show is about to start.



Daermon was on extra super special alert today as Brennia had a public appearance. She had been growing support at a steady pace, along with the attempts on her life. None had succeeded or come close. Corvo was here, though when the vampire met his gaze, all he found was disapproval. He smirked but let his eyes pass Corvo and continue to scan the crowd as Brennia spoke. He had been the avians idea for a bodyguard, yet, the man did not seem to care for him one bit. It was...peculiar. Perhaps he had thought Daer, like he had hoped Brennia, would fall under his thumb? Instead both had proven to do things their own way, often leaving Corvo to scramble to keep up. Corvo on the other hand, was busy analyzing every word said as well as who was present to hear it. Something kept catching his eye, those sharp, predatory eyes and he finally spotted what it was. Some kind of ugly ring glittering on Brennia’s hand. What was that doing there? He made a note to speak with her about it after.


Brennia and Vermillion made very good points on each side of their debate, but it seemed Brennia got a bit more reaction after her inputs. She is rather charismatic and when others engaged in conversation with the bard they were captivated by how important she made everyone feel. The crowd gathered for this event seemed normal enough and not overly crowded, it is nighttime after all. The candidates split to their respective sides of the platform to join their running parties and Vermillion gives a sneer back to Brennia - thinking himself rather victorious. Of which earned no reaction from Brennia and she joins Daermon and Corvo, “well?” She wanted to know how she fared and looked to each for their input which she knows irks Corvo, but she didn't care because she does want to know what her lover thinks - always. Daermon and Brennia have been inseparable, but probably insufferable as well with their lingering touches and looks. While waiting their answer her thumb played with the inside of Daermon’s ring which is ill fitted upon her left middle finger as her usual nervous tick; it was something she did when it used to dangle around her neck.


Daermon smiled to Brennia as she approached. “It was good. The crowd seemed moved and riveted and I think you actually swayed a few members from Vermillion’s side.” her love responded with a secretive smile. Yes, they were somewhat insufferable in their honeymoon stage, but Daer didn’t care any more than Bren did. Likely even less. Corvo sniffed dismissively. “It was alright. You faltered a bit, and that hideous hunk of rock was distracting.” he says, pointing to the ring. It was more feminine than it had been on the necklace, but only just. It would take a real jeweler to reforge into something truly her and they hadn’t had the time. “Your outfit also looks…” he made a face, “Tight. Perhaps we should have some area’s let out.” Brennia and Daermon didn’t know it, but Corvo had intentionally had them sewn tight as a way to watch her weight. He knew stress could cause over eating and no one liked a fat candidate. Daermon growled dangerously low in his throat and took a step forward. “We have been over what you can, and cannot say if you wish to keep those wings pretty. You seem intent on pushing it Corvo. And I think we both know how that will play out. I’m sorry you don’t like my ring, but it’s her choice to wear. If you make another comment on her weight, I will break something of yours. Maybe a finger.” the vampire threatened in a cold voice.


Brennia took a sidestep away from the pair while thinking to herself, ‘yup - this is it. This is where I watch my love beat up my campaign manager in front of all of these people and then that’s it… Goodbye Schezerade. It was fun while it lasted,’ but it was rather cute watching Daermon defend her honor. She watched as Corvo not only didn’t back down or back up to taking a step in towards Daermon as he did. He’s probably saying something about ‘if we are going to win blah blah blah,’ but suddenly none of that mattered as a rather tall and large avain grabs hold of Brennia’s wings to yank her back. As Daermon knows this hurts like hell and he would feel that through the bond. She was trying to reach back and poke out an eye or something while two assailants run up on the platform at Brennia with weapons drawn, but by now all eyes were on the scene - some crying out to unhand Miss Smyth! Vermilion and his entourage look on pretending to be surprised or horrified by the scene that was starting to play out. He knows what is happening and either Raven will have to expose herself or her little vampire boy toy will have to expose himself for the monster he is.


Daermon thought that he was about to kill Corvo as the man bristled his wings, stepping up to the vampire rather than backing down. Good. It had been a while anyway and the handsome avian had been pissing him off anyway. Things seemed to slow as he saw the large avian grab Brennia from behind. Corvo fell from his mind as the screams start. The two assailants rushing the stage with weapons drawn grabbed his attention first. Faster than an eye could follow he whipped out one, then a second dagger, both aimed at the men as he moved to Brennia and the struggling avian. More men were appearing by the second. Corvo was fighting one now Daermon delivered a downward chop to the avian holding Brennia’s wing. The mans forearm broke with a sickening crack as he released Brennia. Yet, one of the assailants hadn’t died and was close enough to stab Daermon in the thigh. He roared, punching down, another loud crack as his fist struck the man’s head. He dropped, no longer moving. He pulled the dagger from his thigh, dropping it as his blood rolled down his leg. The man with the broken arm was stumbling away. Daermon went to go after him when something heavy hit him in the back, staggering him. It was a thrown axe that hadn’t been enough to penetrate his suit, though it tore the fabric. He turned back in time to see the glint of thrown steel, stars it looked like, spinning towards Brennia. Time seemed to slow as he threw his own dagger back towards the attacker, though he was already moving. His speed was so great that it lifted his coat like a strong wind, allowing both stars to sink solidly into his chest as he blocked Brennia with his body.


Brennia felt helpless for she had been stuffed into this suit and couldn’t properly counter any of these attacks and the crowd was growing by the second so she didn’t know which was which. She’s released and it all comes rushing back to her while the body count was growing around her, but she continued to feel useless as her hand almost rose to the tattoo lock which hides Raven away. More distractions as she noticed Corvo in action, surprising, but this was cut short by Daermon roaring in pain. Attention drawn to the knife in his leg she had no view of the axe headed to his back which sent a panic through their bond even though he turned out to be okay thanks to their specially crafted suits. More confusion and she had started toward the exit, but she saw a dagger fly out the corner of her eye to someone in front of her and then she saw the back of Daermon’s blocking her view. Time slowed for her and she felt the pain that he did through their bond and how solid they had landed, but by now the schezerade guard had taken action and stopped anymore attacks from happening while detaining the wounded attackers for questioning later. Fear, agony and anger ring out over the crowd as Brennia’s powerful bardic voice screamed out, “Nooo!” Corvo looks worried, probably for her image mostly. Everyone stops once more and focuses on Brennia who was holding her human seeming body guard as he fell back into her from the blow. “Daermon… Are you okay?” It might be pointless to ask, but she cannot check for a pulse and his skin is always cold. Tear rimmed eyes glance up at Corvo with worry as she gently set Daermon to lay upon his back, set on a stage for all to see.

Daermon gasped in pain as she moved him, the shining stars stuck in his form. Blood leaked around them, and a bit from his mouth as he didn’t seem to be poisoned. The bond thrummed with pain and almost...an odd sensation. Like the weakening thumps of a heartbeat. Daermon was dying. “P-poisoned.” he gasps. “And blessed.” he says, able to feel it inside. “S-stopping my h-healing.” he gasps out with another torrent of blood bubbling up. His thigh was bleeding bad, a hit artery no doubt. Corvo was glancing around, likely trying to decide what to do. The man had saved her, had likely saved him, but he was a vampire and their plan didn’t call for him to reveal himself yet. “Can we move him?” he says. He was hearing calls for a doctor. He swore. “We can’t let him be found out.” he hisses, grabbing Brennia roughly.


Brennia crumpled on the floor next to him feeling all of it and it is almost too much to bare as tears immediately rim her eyelids. She isn’t thinking straight and she tries to gently remove the jagged stars from his flesh, but quickly stops when she feels the sharp pain it caused because they are anchored to the bone. He doesn’t have time to be moved and she knows the only way to help him his to rip the objects from his chest and then have him feed immediately, but all she could think was ‘I refuse to allow you to leave me.’ When Corvo suggests moving Daermon he is met with a glare, “no time.” Brennia shakes him off rather violently, “I do not care about that!” Fear laced in her tone and Corvo probably felt it, but she said the only thing that would make sense to Corvo, “if we lose him… We will lose me and lose Schezerade to evil.” A serious look came over her, “it is how this,” indicating their bond with the motion to her heart, “works.” If he died and she felt every bit of it she would not have much of a life left, herself. She started to roll the sleeve of her blazer up as she spoke slowly and low to Corvo so only he heard, “I need you to rip the stars out and once you do he needs to feed from me.” She gently set Daermon’s head to rest upon her lap and if Crovo doesn’t stop her then two secrets will probably be known today as the crowd is silent and frantic at the same time when a doctor comes rushing over in attempts to help, but he cannot get through some of the stunned crowd. Some of the closer ones mumble, “are those fangs?” They all look on in horror.


Daermon was not looking so human anymore. The mask of humanity was slipping as he bled out. He was already weak and fading, his mind a jumble. He could feel Brennia’s pain through the bond, stronger and greater than the physical he was feeling. His hand reached up, feebly, finding her cheek and inadvertently smearing blood there as he touched her. “My birdie…” he whispers, eyes fluttering closed. Time was running out. Corvo swore again, grabbing Brennia’s arm. “Stop. Just...just stop.” he says, breathing fast and heavy. The crowd was seeing it. Things were already spiraling out of control. “We could recover from him being a vampire, but perhaps not him being a vampire and being your...whatever.” he says, meeting her gaze. “I’ve got this.” he doesn’t give her time to protest. He yanked both stars out, which caused Daermon to jerk in Brennia’s lap. Corvo pressed his wrist to the vampire’s mouth. “Feed you bastard.” he whispers hoarsely. Instinct took over for Daermon as the warmth pressed to his cool lips. He parted and pulled back his lips, baring a mouth of shark like fangs and sunk them into Corvo, who shuddered, then gasped softly to himself. As the hot blood hit Daermon’s tongue, his eyes opened. Blood slowed, then stopped as the wounds began to knit together. A greenish liquid pushed out as the poison was expelled from his healing body. There were gasps around the crowd as Corvo looked to Brennia, still feeding Daermon. “Say something. Turn this to our favor, our agenda.” he says, reminding of how they had spoken of using this later. Well, as good a time as any. All those assembled had seen a vampire risk his life, then nearly lose it to save her.


Brennia could have lost it right then and there as she whispered back, “my vampire,” but was distracted from waiting for Crovo to rip the stars out when he pulled her arm away and called Daermon her whatever. How she wanted to slap Crovo and possibly the image of that was shared between her and Daermon if he was still conscious. When he yanked the stars out finally it took all she had not to yelp in pain, but her heart did ache with worry. Even though she does a great deal not to look so surprised at the actions by Corvo she was quiet for the duration until she saw the poison leak out of where his wounds used to be. A sigh a relief, but this is when she finally noticed the crowd of shocked faces around them before she gently slipped herself from under Daermon’s head. Liberty blue eyes look from one face to the other and some are riddled in disgust, but in the back of her mind she is reminded of the night they came to this very theatre and enjoyed a show together when she was no one and they still got the same looks. “Many years our ancestors have fooled us to think Vampires are lesser. Filth. Diseased,” a shrug given as she paces slowly before them, “I’m not saying they are all so noble as my bodyguard, but neither are we. Are we all without flaws?” By this time Vermillion had made himself and his entourage scarce, but when she glances to where he was so did the crowd. A seed was all that's needed to allow doubt to fill the remaining crowd, “I say we should not be making assumptions on others just for their race or skin and let us put this racism to bed for we are all in this together. A vampire risked their immortal life for an avain today… An elder vampire at that and his name is Daermon Nae’Baer.” Some of those disgusted faces turn in their favor while some do not, but not all are going to be swayed…. A slow clap turns into a roaring applause and celebration of that just happened.


Daermon was awake enough for the speech, listening as he fed. He fed until his wounds had sealed shut, then, as a courtesy, he sliced his tongue and sealed up the bite mark, leaving Corvo’s flesh flawless. Glacial hues turn up to that eagle gaze and he nodded in thanks and respect. Corvo nodded back, rising to his feet a tad unsteadily, then, offered a hand down to Daermon. There were the center of attention now. As her speech wrapped and the applause broke, the vampire Daermon Nae’Baer rose shakily to his feet, looking a tad embarrassed at all the attention as he raised one hand and waved a little. He looked worlds better already as he turned to Brennia and bowed. ‘Well done my love.’ he compliments. The next little bit was a tad hectic as they had to push their way to leave. Soon enough they were with the guards and giving statements, then off alone again. Corvo had been uncharacteristically quiet, shooting looks at Daer and Bren. “Well...that was certainly interesting.” the vampire commented, seeming in good spirits for a man who almost had died.


Brennia may have blushed slightly at the compliment, but it only showed on the tips of her ears since she was wearing cover up. Corvo had handed her a kerchief to wipe the blood from her face and it took tremendous effort to not tackle Daermon in a hug then kiss for she thought she lost him for good. She put a fist over her heart and bowed to the vampire, “thank you for saving my life.” A lot of the crowd follow suit in showing Daermon respect as Brennia did and she reached out a hand to shake his, but through their bond she was doing so much more. After giving their statements and pointing out their assailants they made their way back to the college and she was idly wondering if Daermon and Corvo are now bonded… How awkward and awful that would be for the pair until it dwindles away. She couldn’t help the smirk when she thought of that though. At least when they argue they could do it in silence, but she realized she was staring too long at Corvo now and he has been rather silent. “Hey… Corvo. Thank you for what you did back there and I am sorry you were put in that predicament. If I did or said anything that was harsh in the heat of the moment, I am sorry for that too.” It was all a blur now, but she did remember wanting to seriously slap Corvo for his ‘whatever’ comment.


Daermon had merely smiled inside as he caught the blush, then had returned the gesture of respect. He wanted to kiss her, hug her and more, to affirm and celebrate being alive, but he, like her, held back until later. The pair of men were not bonded, the intention having not been there, nor Daermon strong enough to forge it at the time, but it was still an amusing thought. Corvo seemed to jerk to himself as she spoke, and he nodded. “Yes well...you’re welcome. And it’s fine. I understand stress of the moment and will forgive the harsh words by you both.” he looked to Daermon, then away, flushing slightly, wings doing a funny little quiver that only someone well versed might notice. “It’s fine. I couldn’t very well just let him die after that. They would have learned he was a vampire and had sacrificed himself for you and then we let him die? Our whole base would have eroded.” he explains, using far too many words, far too much explanation.


Brennia couldn’t wait to be alone with Daermon, it was like her whole body felt hot and she was wearing far too many layers. The whole ‘near death’ experience bringing loved ones even closer is sooo cliche, but that doesn’t make it any less true. Something was off when she saw Corvo’s body language. Then the over explaining. The wings… Was he embarrassed or newly infatuated? She wanted to grab all over Daermon and mark him her’s before Corvo got any ideas, but she settled for the subject that was taking place just before they were attacked, “I am sorry if you do not like it, but this ring isn’t going anywhere. Someone very special to me gifted it and it is not going anywhere, just like they aren’t.” Her timbre was calm cool and collected as they finally reached the college and were inside. She had made up a nice bachelor pad over the warehouse for Corvo to which he is always welcome to stay, but she knew where Daermon was going. She watched Corvo casually to catch his reaction to her words and whatever he did or said next to clue her in, but if he was crushing on Daermon that would explain a lot.


Daermon smiled to himself as Brennia defended her ring and her wearing of it. Realizing he was still a mess, the vampire excused himself to continue on, to leave them talking and go start the process of cleaning up. She knew where he’d be. He decided to check in on Eva too, as the girl hadn’t left their forbidden wing since her rescue. She’d even come back around to Daer, though seemed wary. The axe hadn’t penetrated the armor layer of his suit, but it had split the fabric. Daermon’s ass always looked great, but especially so in the suit pants, which were very visible as his coat was hanging in two pieces. The firm rear really popped while he mounted the stairs. Corvo hadn’t yet answer Bren, though his eyes were following the vampire, a dead giveaway as his wings preened a bit. Was it just the bite? Or had the cause of so much animosity been due to his strange feelings. Finally realizing what he was doing, he blushed again and turned back to Brennia, hoping she hadn’t noticed. “Very well. The ring stays…” he says, clearing his throat. “I should...go to my rooms. It’s been a trying day.” he tells her, turning to go to the room she’d made up for him, if Brennia was done with him that was.


Brennia watches as Corvo did, but is nearly buffeted by Corvo’s wings and she has to hold back giggling. Remaining cool and relaxed as he stammers his way through his reason to depart, “of course. I’ll see you tomorrow when we leave for Frostmaw.” She nods before starting her way up the stairs after Daermon and once Corvo is out of sight she fell into a full on sprint until she found the vampire in the corridor. He of course would feel her before she reaches him and hopes he would catch her in her running into a leaping hug. Then the kissing ensues and if it is possible it’s like three times as steamy as they ever have before, it is as if she’s been the one who hasn’t seen him in twenty years this time. “I was so worried I had lost you today.” Happy tears in her eyes and she crushes him in another kiss while her clutch around him, legs, arms and wings seem as if they will ever let him go again. “I don’t know what I would have done without you,” it hurt to even think about again and she nearly forgot what she rushed to tell him. Her soft smile spreads as she let out that rare raspy giggle, “you will not believe what I just saw.”


Daermon had made it to the forbidden wing, so they were quite alone when she ran and jumped into his arms. He caught her, grunting a little as he was weaker than normal, his blood getting on them both as she kissed him hard. His hands moved to her rear, holding her to him as he kissed her back, possibly the best kiss they had ever had. “I know.” he says as the kiss breaks. “I thought I was going to leave you there for a minute.” he admits, holding her, kissing her again as they stood in the empty corridor, her form wrapped around him. He rested his forehead against hers. “You’re covered in my blood now you know.” he teases, then, her smile brings his own, the raspy giggle getting a growl. He found that giggle hawt. “What did you see?” he asks, looking past her and slowly starting to walk with her, unwilling to set her down, but wanting to be in their space.


Brennia smirked deviously, “all the more to use our own washroom again.” Memories of that first night when he agreed to be her bodyguard flood their bond, but his growling got more giggling out of her. “I think the whole animosity between you and Corvo may be gone because… Now you must keep this secret, my love. He has a crush on you,” once in their room she releases her legs from around him and lowered herself to her feet before dancing around while shimmying her suit jacket off. “Corvo and Daermon sitting in a tree,” she said in her singsong manner and sways her hips to, “K-I-S-S-I-N-G.” She was giggling again and took Daermon by his hand and lead him towards their rather large and private washroom. “Oh you gave him a wonderful view just before he retired to his own room.” She motions to his pants and the fact they are torn a little and reveal his derriere. “Now, the thing is that I do not think he is openly gay, so this is just between you and I, but I think he doesn’t know how to deal with his conflicting feelings.”