RP:Wild Card

Part of the Once Upon a Midnight Dreary Arc

Summary: Lhyrin comes to visit Quintessa for a very unusual reason... What's in the box??

The Blackwell East Vhysian Company

Opulence is the name of House Blackwell and their headquarters here in Elimdor lives up to this expectation. In true Vailkrinese fashion Quintessa has resurrected the "Art Draco" architecture of her homeland, modified slightly to make use of local resources and artisans. Sleek geometric walls of fused black stone rise high like a small castle, adorned with multitudes of redundant arches that seem carved from the very walls themselves. Inside is no different, with absurdly high ceilings decorated in silver-gilt, the pale light from the green-glowing braziers reflecting from it with an eerie luster. While House Blackwell uses this building as merchant offices and storage, here in the nave visitors are free to browse at their leisure. Many curios and strange objects from around Lithyrdel end up here and are on display, but for those wanting a custom design from Black Pond Boutiques they will need to contact Quintessa directly with a request. A depository where letters addressed to her can be found here at the east end of the room.

It had been a normal day of checking in on some businesses in Vhys. And it had been normal all the way up until they’d finished at the harbor and had been standing there staring into the abyss. And then it had been interrupted by an extremely cute curious cat courier. Who showed up with a box. It had been wrapped like a present, in some of Lhyrin’s favorite colors. As if that hadn’t been baffling enough, it was the contents of said package that sent Lhyrin’s mind spiraling. Which was rather difficult to do, may I add.

And so, with these thoughts in mind, they exited the harbor and stopped in the middle of the Ardent-Drakenheart intersection. They stood there for a time until they looked to their left and saw the new shop, built there specifically for one Countess Quintessa Blackwell. The usually unperturbed elder vampire let out a ‘hm’--something that they had already done several times up until this point--and then wandered into the Countess’ place of business. They would not announce themselves, but if there were any customers about, they’d likely notice the Chancellor’s presence and start in with their whispering, as gossipy high society folk often did. Unsure if the changeling was busy or not, Lhyrin would take to looking over her merchandise for the moment.

Countess Quintessa Blackwell, as she was well accustomed to being referred to as, was casually observing her gallery of strange objects when Chancellor Lhyrin had arrived, always adjusting things, muttering under her breath as she practiced the lines she would speak when she presented these items to the public. It was less a shop and more a place for her to put the curiosities she had collected over the years on display, a place she could brag and put an overpriced tag on her personal memories. An old platinum crown here, a magic ring there. Bits and pieces of mummified undead stuffed into amulets that she attached sutras to and promised they could boost a wearer's vitality. It was all pageantry meant to hide the Countess's true reason for being in Vhys, whatever that was.

Quintessa could sense the elder vampire before she saw them, like a dark cloud slowly covering the sun on a clear summer day. The locals that had come to gawk at the new fae arrival soon had a new curiosity to observe as Lhyrin arrived, the murmurs of her guests announcing them even if they did not themself. Soon her own shadow joined Lhyrin's, her dark-gowned form looming like mantis behind them. "Ah, I see something has caught your eye." She coos, moving around them to practice her lines one more time. At present Lhyrin just so happened to be standing by a silver decanter, a black skull emblem adorned on the front stylized in the image of Vakmatharas. "That's no simple cask. You see this decanter is filled with Larket Water– but not just any Larket water; This container was filled during the time of The Great Accelerated Aging Curse of Larket. It is said to contain a fraction of the mysterious curse that affected even the Price of Larket himself. But what caused it? Perhaps those secrets are contained within... Perhap those secrets are long lost as Vakmatharas was said to break the curse in exchange for their Kingdom's devotion." Quintessa smirks as she looks away from the object to gaze at the vampire. "What do you believe, Chancellor?"

Still holding that package, Lhyrin allowed a brief smirk of their own as they listened to Quintessa’s spiel about the decanter. “I think it wise for people to remember that Larket was not the only one afflicted by the curse--all regions of Lithrydel and Rynvale were. And I also think that the Larketian Royal Family focuses too much on themselves. They give Vakmatharas no tribute and use the Great Skeleton’s name to their own advantage. And see what’s become of it? Their loss in the war against Cenril. Vakmatharas did not help narcissistic ones such as the Larketians and then took their souls as compensation.” They stopped for a moment and thought over their words, realizing that if they didn’t amend what they were saying, it could hurt Quintessa’s business. “That said, I do believe that a piece of a curse could be bottled. I have seen in my dreams a vessel that held untold horrors that was made in Vakmatharas’ name. So, I think it entirely likely that this specific vessel here,” they said, motioning to the decanter with their free hand, “could very well have part of that curse inside of it, in some form.” While they did not look around to see if anyone was listening, there were definitely faint whispers that those elf ears picked up. “Might I trouble you for a short time, Countess? Something… peculiar has come up and I’d like your counsel on the matter.” They offered a nod towards the gift box, then looked to the changeling. “I did not want to disrupt your business here, however.”

Quintessa finds herself grinning like a Cheshire cat when Lhyrin sets the record straight regarding the Curse of Vakmatharas, Larket's involvement, and how they were really just a small piece of a grander picture. "Ah! A student of history, I see! Yes, you're right. Other regions were affected in various ways but only Larket managed to propagandize the tragedy to attain political capital. But stability built upon a lie only ends in one way..." Mismatched eyes gaze around, taking note that they were casually being observed by her customers, likely overhearing their conversation too. When her gaze returns to the elven vampire it lingers on the gift box for a moment before she slowly nods her head. "Yes, of course," She reaches up to touch the communication crystal on her ear, speaking the names "Thistle" and "Dimglow" before giving the pair of pixies instructions to watch over the gallery for a bit while she spoke to the Chancellor. "Please, come to my office. We can talk there."

Quintessa's Office

Quintessa's office wasn't properly set up yet, with wooden crates strewn haphazardly about. Only a desk and leather armchair to sit on had been brought up here– her desk didn't even have a chair yet, so when they enter the room she of course offers the armchair to her guest before she leans her rear against the edge of the desk, placing a hand on her hip as she eyes the box again. "We can speak freely here." Blue and golden eyes flicker up to look them in the eyes now, a curious tilt of her head accompanying her words as she parts her lips to ask. "What's in the box? Something... peculiar?"

The gift box in Lhyrin’s hands was given quite the perplexing look as they took a seat in the offered chair and sat said box on the desk. “I’ve just had either the pleasure or misfortune of receiving this from a courier. It is from the vampire known as Lita, the very same from Port Rynvale. I’ve only met her once, and while she seemed alright on the surface back then, I am unsure of her motives at present.” The vampire opened the box, revealing six different meat pies, each one adorned with an eyeball from the creature that was cooked in their designated pies. “It did not take me long to discern what was in those pies, without even tasting them. I have… a “hobby” that’s carried over from my days amongst the living. And perhaps, as a vampire, it would not seem so out of place, but I have only revealed it to one soul so far.” The usually emotionless vampire leaned back in the chair somewhat, their storm-colored line of sight shifting away from the package and towards the changeling. “Before I continue, I need some sort of proof from you that I can fully trust you and that what is said here will not leave this room, unless I bring it up first. And that’s not to say that I -don’t- trust you at all. Merely that I require more.”

Quintessa leans forward to peer into the box, her mouth watering as she gazes at those delicious looking eyeballs dotted on each pie. "Oh my. Are those...?" She doesn't even have to ask, she can also tell the truth about these strange meat pies just by looking at them. "Lita sent these?" The question comes out as an instinct before she tilts her head at them, her brow slowly raising as she straightens her posture. Lhyrin wanted assurances but she wasn't sure what would satisfy them. "Of course," She begins, her smile widening, "Did you have something in mind? A blood pact, perhaps? A seal? Or perhaps I shall curse myself to suffer the pain of hot needles being shoved through my eyes if I utter a word of this to anyone– Whatever you desire, my Chancellor."

The Chancellor let out a ‘hm’. “No, nothing quite so drastic. A blood pact will do just fine.” They were certain Quintessa knew how dangerous they could be, should things come to it. They hoped it wouldn’t, as they certainly wanted the Countess as a full ally. They had so few. Really, it was just Kanna for the moment. The elf reached into a pocket on their tunic and pulled out a small skinning knife, and removed it from its sheathe. The blade soon found itself digging into the flesh of Lhyrin’s left palm, deep enough that the wound would not start to heal right away, before they handed the knife over to Quintessa. “This pact can apply to anything that we wish to keep between ourselves, not just this, as there may be times you also wish to divulge things to me as well. The only actual closest friend I have is the one you know as Kanna Tsuji. I do not speak of personal matters to anyone else, so you can be assured that no one would be told a thing.” When she was ready, they held out their bleeding hand, waiting to shake with hers.

Quintessa had no interest in betraying Lhyrin. On the contrary, the Countess's plans to reclaim her position in Vailkrin heavily relied on her having a stable foothold in Vhys. Trying to blackmail them was far too short sighted for her aims, so for this she would do whatever it took to appear cooperative. "Of course," She takes the skinning knife without hesitation, but before she runs it across the flesh of her left palm she pauses to smirk in Lhyrin's direction. "You didn't set all this up just to get me to cut myself, did you?" She teases before slowly splitting open her skin in a long, crimson line across her hand and reaching out to shake theirs, clasping it tightly. "Good. Kanna Tsuji is already tied to me through my marriage pact with her sister Karasu. This keeps things nice and contained for me." She flips the knife around, holding it by the blade as she offers it back to Lhyrin. "We are bound in secrecy and blood now, my Dark Sibling, a pact I do not take lightly. Now please, tell me what it is you came here to tell me."

There’s a very brief smirk at the mention of Lhyrin having a possible trap just to get Quintessa to bleed. “Ah, no. While your blood, the very flesh of you, is entirely enticing thanks to your fae ancestry, I have long since decided to not partake.” They can see where she’s going with this, with the whole keeping things underwraps, and nodded in agreement. They took the knife back, removed a black handkerchief from another pocket and cleaned the blade, then their own hands. The wound had healed in those few moments, and when they offered the cloth to Quintessa, she’d too find that her hand had healed, thanks to the contact with their blood. Then they get straight to the point. “You’ve probably already guessed at this point, but I am a cannibal. You yourself have the same tendencies. I don’t know how much yours extends to, however, but I am well versed in the catching, killing, preparation, and eating of several of Hollow’s races. But this is not public knowledge. My murders are not public knowledge. The cannibalism has of course carried over into my undead life. And while it is likely not as frowned upon being what I am now, it is still not something I wish to fully divulge to the world, and I wish to continue regardless of my position in this region. I do have several rules for myself, which I follow strictly. But, these are not important right now. What is, is that this Lita has sent me a box of meat pies, each one filled with the meat of a different race. From what I can tell by smell alone, there is half-elf, dragon, orc, dryad, fermin, and giant. My concern comes from the fact that I know full well what kind of person her, and Leo, and their friends are. And I wonder if they have used their skills to figure out what I do in my free time or if she just so happened to get lucky in her purchasing. And that’s not even including the fact that she sent a vampire dragon meat. She of all people should know that it’s toxic to our kind. In her letter, she has asked to meet to set up trade agreements. But I am unsure of her at this point. All of this together feels like mixed signals to me.” They pushed the box, and the letter closer to her to fully inspect. “What are your thoughts on it?’

Quintessa gazes down at her hand, somewhat amazed at how quickly her wound had healed. "I may yet offer my blood, voluntarily, but not at the cost of my own life, dear sibling, but I appreciate not being considered one of your prey." She smiles only slightly, the corners of her mouth turning up like fishhooks as she cleans her hand and passes the handkerchief back. "Yes, I had gotten the impression you were a connoisseur of the finer flesh, a sort of sixth sense I suppose. It's a trait you recognize in others when you see it in yourself. I didn't realize you were such an accomplished hunter, however... I-uh, may have need of your skills one of these days, but let us stay on topic..." Quintessa peers inside the box Lita had sent again, recognizing now based on the eyeballs which was which. "Is she... Pulling some kind of prank?" Quintessa looks back up at Lhyrin with a raised brow, a look of bewilderment on her face. "Some kind of Rynvale Roulette, I suppose. Eat the wrong pie and–" She makes a motion across her throat indicating death. "But why? Lita is a strange person, even by my own standards. A wild card. An Agent of Cire. But I do not see why she would try to assassinate you... Or how she would come to know your secrets. It is just as likely she doesn't know you are a cannibal and has sent you the meat of sentient creatures as some sort of depraved joke. It would be just the thing Lita would do..." She reaches forward to grab the letter, her eyes scouring over it for clues. "...I hope this gift finds you well. I offer it with apologies that I have had yet to reach out sooner. I would like to meet to discuss extending trade agreements between Vhys and Port Rynvale. We can meet on neutral grounds if you'd prefer it, or if you'd feel more comfortable on familiar ground, I can come to you. Either way, enjoy the pies." She lets the letter fall back to her desk. "Well this letter certainly doesn't make it seem like she's joking. Perhaps this warrants further investigation..."

The Chancellor wondered if Quintessa would call them ‘dark sibling’ if she knew what they had done to their own siblings, and then wondered the same about Kanna as well, as she too called them a sibling. They did not seem aghast or something similar at being called that, however. There’s almost even a vague sense of a smile there, mostly in the look in their stormy eyes. “Master Hunter, culinarian, and treasureseeker, at your service, Countess.” They gave her a flourished half-bow, which looked a little awkward from their seated position.”Whatever it is you need, I will do my best to provide.”

Lhyrin listened and watched as Quintessa became quite baffled by the whole of the present. “And thus, you see why I have asked you for guidance. Your knowledge of the political world and the like is far greater than mine, I can only assume. The fact that you’re just as bewildered as I am makes me feel a bit better about this,” Lhyrin said, letting out a rare audible sigh. “Unfortunately, espionage is not something I’m gifted with. That requires people skills that they did not see fit to teach me, in my schooling as a child nor in my dark ranger training. Is this something you can help with? My only condition is that whatever is done is kept as secret as possible. I cannot afford to have a war started with Port Rynvale. We may have an organized military and the strangeness of the region on our side, but I’d like to keep as much neutrality for Vhys as possible.”

Quintessa folds her hands behind her back as she straightens her posture, mismatched eyes drifting off to gaze at nothing as she considers this proposition. "Well, since we are already bound in secrecy there is no use hiding this information from you." Her eyes flicker back to meet theirs before she begins again. "I am already embedded within the criminal element of Port Rynvale. In fact it would be easier to say that the criminal presence and the Port Authority are one in the same. I could very easily spy on them, but likewise this puts my position with them in jeopardy. This trade agreement... It's something that would benefit me personally. Already House Blackwell is independently trying to establish trade networks but if we could work unilaterally then our position would be stronger for it... "

She pauses, her mind trying to work out the best way to move forward, her old ambitions to become Vailkrin's Spymaster suddenly reinflamed. "Alright, I will do this for you, but in exchange I want greater autonomy in the Vhysian seas. I will soon be constructing a fleet and I will need consent from the government to equip my ships with what I need to defend my cargo. It's also possible that in the future I may need letters of marque, or contracted permission to raid and sink pirate vessels that target Blackwell ships. For this I will serve both faithfully and loyally, prioritizing Vhysian neutrality and prosperity in the region. If this arrangement is agreeable, then I already have some ideas on how to move forward regarding Lita."

The forsaken elf thought over the things that Quintessa said, their line of sight fixed on the wall behind her for the moment. “It is agreeable, but I’d advise that we do something to make it “official”, so that it does not come back to bite us in the future. Something that makes it seem like it will benefit everyone here as well. With the Vhysian waters the way they are, it would make sense to have some sort of precaution, now that we have the harbor, and it can be something to be used to your advantage. But, that can be dealt with later.” They stood from the seat that Quintessa had so kindly offered for them, making it known that they’d make their exit soon. “If anything seems off, sibling--” It felt weird for them to say this. It even still felt weird to say that word to Kanna at times. The way the word clung to their tongue and did not want to leave them, it was the same way that the taste of their actual siblings’ flesh had lingered on their taste buds for ages: strange, but not entirely unwanted. “--if you suspect that they might be onto you or something of the sort, then abandon the mission. You will still get your side of the deal regardless. I -do- want trade with Port Rynvale. I was the first to even bring it up with them. It’s just…” They gestured vaguely at the box and the note. “Keep the note if you wish, if it aids you. And lastly…” They paused for a moment, peering over into the box. “Would you like the fermin and dragon pies? Something for you and your beloved? Fermin is not to my taste, but I thought it might be for your Karasu. And dragon, while I cannot eat it any longer, is decent as long as it's slow roasted. You may have one of the others as well, on top of that. And I can taste test one of the ones not taken, -just in case-. I expect if she were trying to poison me, she’d put them in all of them and not just one.” That would be the smart way to go, anyway.

Quintessa nods her head slowly as Lhyrin speaks of ensuring their agreement does not have repercussions, looking back to glance at the Vhysian stained glass depiction of the Blackwell House Crest on the wall behind her. "Yes, something official. Perhaps a provisionary title or contract. Something to guarantee my intentions in the region will benefit Vhys. Details, as you say, that can wait until later." When the Chancellor instructs her to abandon the mission the moment things look dicey, she nods her head again. "Understood. Worst case scenario they will think I am spying for my own means if I am discovered. They will never trace anything back to you or Vhys, you have my word." Finally, when Lhyrin offers her two of the pies, she grins widely, already peering back into the box at the two they had offered. "Oh, yes please! Don't worry about poison. I've developed a universal antitoxin for situations just like this. Thank you very much, my Chancellor." Already she is eager to reach in and grab them.

“Ah, right. I forget you are the mistress of poisons within the Necromancer’s Guild, aren’t you? In another life, you would’ve made a fine dark ranger, Countess,” Lhyrin said with a smirk. Then again, if Quintessa ever decided to follow the same path as her mother and aunt did to learn how to wield a bow, the Chancellor would certainly teach her if she asked. After a moment’s consideration, Lhyrin removed the pie filled with giant meat as well for Quintessa. “Here, take this one as well. If it’s frost giant meat, it may have a bit of a slight minty taste to it. Like lamb, with mint jelly on the side.” The elf considered giving up the dryad pie, but alas, they could not. Being around Quintessa for this long gave them quite the craving for fae and nature-types and the dryad pie would have to quell this craving for them. “With that done, I’ll be on my way. Do keep yourself safe, sibling,” they said as they took what was left of the gift and headed to the door. They even sounded sincere when they said it.