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FF14 Swap Write Day 9: Beat Around the Bush

He'd been avoiding it for a long time. Years even. Mostly successfully.

Well at least till more recently. A second dangerous head injury had made it harder to avoid. His luck was finally running out. His family was getting more stubborn and letting him avoid the topic less.

Lance gave the helmet a disdainful look. He really hated the things. They bothered him. His usual headgear was usually a metal circlet. The damn thing kept appearing though. And the others were threatening to send the kids to pester him. If he had to explain to the little ones why he wouldn't wear a helmet... He didn't think he could do it. Worse if someone went to Kyna to recruit her to their side too. Heavens above he was doomed no matter what.

Rescuing his brother from the paid kidnappers had ruined things. Of course he would have gone to rescue his brother as many times as needed. The head injury was unexpected though when his shield had shattered on a blow he blocked. He'd been knocked down and knocked out. The second head injury he'd taken in the last several years. The first had left him missing memories.

With a heavy sigh, he picked up the helmet. Maybe he could take it with him and just not wear it. But his luck Tara and her siblings would still find out. Especially since Bran was playing body guard for his little brother. Someone was bound to find out if he didn't wear it. He really didn't need the thing to patrol in Coerthas.

Grumbling, he put the helmet on his head with a grimace at his appearance in the mirror. "I hate it." Trying to adjust it but not finding a way to make it better. Sighing in defeat as he headed out wearing the helmet.

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FF14 Swap Write Day 9

Today's Word is: Beating Around the Bush

Meaning

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FF14 Swap Write Day 8: Identity

Note: More AU shenanigans. Back to Ronove and Elijah. Going to use the tag 'Break the Chains' for the AU.

Jesse gingerly touched fingers to the black liquid along the side of his face. Was that his blood now? Everything hurt but he was surprised at how well his body was healing. It was much quicker than he expected. Probably the only bonus to this terrible situation he was in.

Taking deep breaths to avoid trying to empty his stomach into the sink in front of him as he remembered what he'd just been through. He'd killed a man and been beaten shortly after by the one Alberich had called Keres. All while Elijah watched.

What had happened to him? What kind of monster was his now? Jesse looked into the cracked mirror in front of him. Who was he now? He forced himself not to cry. Weakness wasn't going to get him out of this. It wouldn't solve what had been done to him. He needed to get out of this first and he could break down later.

Jesse turned with a snarl at the sound of someone approaching him, afraid it was Keres back for more. Only to find Elijah there with a pained expression.

"Jes-" Elijah began but was interrupted.

Teeth barred in a snarl as Jesse pinned Elijah to the wall behind him. "No! Don't. You. Dare." Emitting a low growl. The monster he'd become wanted to tear out Eli's throat. But he kept his hand on the wall next to Eli's head. "Don't you dare call me that name. Frankly you don't have the right to use it now. You will not utter that name in Their presence. Names have power."

"Of course... I'm sorry, Ronove." Elijah closed his eyes and looked away from Ronove. "You got dragged into my problems... I never meant for this to happen to you. Alberich learned about us..."

"So you did nothing to stop him? You let him make me into some kind of monster?" Ronove accused.

"I didn't let him!" Elijah looked at Ronove now with a hurt look. "I have no power to stop him. What he did to drag you closer... He has that power over all us. It's a magic curse. He places them on us to control us. To defy him means death. And I... I don't want to die."

"So you'd rather live as a slave? Killing people? Including the person you say you loved? What kind of life is that?!" Ronove snarls softly.

"Love not Loved. My love didn't die. It's... Complicated. But I wasn't lying when I said I love you. I began to have hope after I met you. I wanted to live for a future where I might be free..." Elijah looks away and down.

Ronove could see the tears being held back in Eli's eyes. Part of him wanted to call Eli a liar. To push the other man away. How could he trust someone who had lied to him for months? How much had Eli lied about?

Instead he took a deep breath before bringing his forehead to rest against Eli's. Fen would be disappointed in him if he let his anger control him. Sure he was angry and hurt. But Eli's feelings seemed genuine. Things had seemed to be going well enough between them before this moment. Maybe Eli really had been hoping to find a way out of this before Ronove had been dragged into things. Didn't Eli deserve a chance to escape what he had been forced into? They both deserved that right.

He stiffened a moment when he felt Eli's arms wrap around him in a hug. Slowly he relaxed to hug his boyfriend in return. "I can't say I trust you right now... I need some time for that. We need to find a way to deal with this. Find a way to Fen. He'll know what to do. For now we play whatever parts that this asshole wants us to play. I'm very good at playing the long game if we have to. I'll be damned if I'm lay down and die. But you need to make sure you call me Ronove."

"I truly do regret getting you tangled into this world... Alberich is a monster. He uses me like his unpaid assassin. All because I am a part of the Vanguard family. Which gives him more power over me than anyone else he's got in his claws." Eli sighs softly as he rests his head against Ronove's chest.

"I need to know more. What is this crazy man's goal? And you're a Vanguard? Aren't they a underground crime family?" Ronove raises a brow before moving to rest his chin on the top of Eli's head. "And just what was done to me?"

"His goal is power. As much as he can get. As for the Vanguards... They are indeed the rumored crime family descended from a long line. I'm sure the rumors are true about us descending from powerful and dangerous mages of the past. As for you..." Eli takes a deep breath before sighing heavily. "They turned you. Made you into a creature called a voidsent. Though I don't think you've come into your other form yet since awakening from your death."

"Ugh... So I have yet another form besides looking like a monster already? Wonderful... Just what I need." Ronove huffs softly. "At least now that I know, I know some people that can help. Once we figure out how to get out of our current situation. What about the viera lady and the one in the shadows?"

"Keres is Alberich's muscle. Also the one that will kill you if he deems you too much trouble to keep alive. Even with the death spell he has built into the spell collar around our necks. Normal people can't see it. Mages can if they know to look. As for the one in the shadows... That is Atropos. Though she prefers to go by Attie. She's his information gatherer. A bit of a ninja that one. Probably how he learned about you. Attie is... Well she's not as cruel as Keres can be." Eli explains.

"Lovely. We definitely need Fen then." Mumbles Ronove as he begins to feel weary, sagging into Eli now. "I feel like crap."

"Probably because you're still newly turned so you're not adjusted yet. Plus Keres really beat on you out there for his amusement. It was very hard to watch that part without reacting. Especially since he would have made it worse for you if I had reacted. Just to make me suffer. I am so sorry. You should probably rest. I need to go do the job I was assigned before he decides to punish both of us again." Eli pulls back away from Ronove before reaching up to cup a hand against Ronove's cheek. "Get some rest. I promise to answer anymore questions I can when I get back. Just... Survive. We'll figure things out. Together."

"Okay..." Ronove nods as he moves away from Eli. "You better survive too." It had been so easily to fall back into the way they had been before all this. He had to silently remind himself that he couldn't fully trust Eli. Just in case this was all some ploy by Alberich. But working together was still the logical choice in this scenario.

Ronove watched Eli turn an leave before he sighed heavily. Gods he was weary now. The monster in him wanted to go hunting for another meal. But just the thought of having to kill another person... That turned his stomach.

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FF14 Swap Write Day 8

Today's Word is: Identity

Meaning

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FF14 Swap Write Day 8: Free Day

Note: This is part of the AU I started with Aryn/Cedrik. Setting up some more stuff for further in the story. I promise this will all come together in time. I have plans. :D

Destiney took a seat at the table, a smug little grin on her face as she eyed the pair across the way. That look instantly made Stefan scowl at her. He knew his sister was up to no good.

"I see we have the competition visiting again." Destiney teased as she smiled at Sahji sitting beside her brother.

"Just because you're both florists, doesn't make Sahji your competition. You both work in different cities." Stefan sighed heavily at her.

"Oh he can still be competition. Including competition for trying to steal away my twin." Oh yes Destiney knew that would make the pair blush as she rested her chin in her hands. She found the two of them so adorable together.

"Don't you have a husband and child to go bother?" Stefan mumbled as his cheeks were bright red.

"Not today. Syl took Evelyn out to make more nature videos. She wanted to go with her daddy while he made another outdoors shelter video to share." Destiney shrugs before stealing Stefan's cup of coffee to take a sip from it, earning her a 'Hey!' for this action.

"Fine. Go water your flowers or something." Stefan grumped as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"I came over to see you. And to put up a flyer on the community board of course. I also seen you had one on there for adventurers to find you another rare book for your collection." Taking another sip of her stolen coffee. "Not going to go looking yourself this time? Too busy swooning my competition over here?"

"Not right now. I need to hire another part timer to cover the shop while I'm gone. Books and coffee don't sell themselves without someone here to sell them. My job doesn't depend on the whims of plants." Stefan rolls his eyes as he gets up to replace his coffee with a new cup since he clearly wasn't getting the first one back.

"So you think you'll end up with another one that can't tell the difference between Shantotto and Shatotto?" Destiney laughs softly at the memory of Stefan telling her this adventurer bringing him the wrong book seven times. Seven!

"Maybe you could get your friend to back off about my book collecting." Stefan shoots his sister the side eye as he finishing pouring his new cup.

"Kari? I can't help you like ticking off the local University's Antiquities and Histories Department. Your love of dangerous and ancient tomes is going to get you in trouble some day." Destiney shrugs casually.

"You act like I visit the underground market often. Rare tomes are harder to find anymore out in the wild. Only in the furthest reaches. So very few ruins exist completely intact. They've all been raided over pretty well. Unless you leave this continent and go traveling further." Stefan returns to the table with a new cup for himself and a fresh one for Sahji. Extra cream and sugar like his date preferred.

"Just be careful, brother dear. Don't let this love of the mysteries of ancient magic get you into real trouble. Karigan is only a mild problem compared to the trouble you could get into. And know you... You'll manage to find that trouble." Destiney cautions.

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FF14 Swap Write Day 7

Today's Word is your choice. Or if you wish you may choose to complete the previous entries:

Bond Jaws of Death Meal Monstrous Shell My Cup of Tea

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FF14 Swap Write Day 6: Cup of Tea

Ronove tugged Elijah along by the hand. He was starving and it was past the time he was used to eating dinner. They had gotten a bit distracted in Radz-at-han doing a little shopping. Sure they could have stopped to get something in the city. But Ronove wanted to eat at the Troupe.

His stomach was craving one meal in particular today. Sushi! Eli often grimaced at his devouring of anything spicy. Not that Eli had tried most of the foods Ronove picked.

The pair went through the dinning hall to where the buffet style communal meal was waiting to pick out their choices for the evening. Ronove naturally loaded his plate with sushi and a large helping of wasabi to go with it. The amount of wasabi he took probably made people wonder about him. Not that people in the Troupe judged him for his quirks.

Elijah picked them a table to eat at since he'd gotten his meal quicker. It was definitely more average than Ronove's choice. A simple beef stew and some pixieberry tea.

"You really should try some sushi. It's really good with wasabi." Ronove chirps happily before popping a piece into his mouth that had a heavy dollop of wasabi on it.

"No thanks. I'm glad you enjoy it but those spicy things you love are not for me. I may try the sushi without that green paste you love though." Elijah grimaced as he watched Ronove devour that piece.

"Okay. I'll leave the wasabi off a piece for you then." Ronove takes a drink of his chai before picking up a piece that he hadn't layered in wasabi yet. Offering to feed it Eli with a grin.

"Cute." Eli was being sarcastic but he ate the offered bite anyways. After all he didn't hate the idea of being fed but he was definitely blushing about it being done in such a public setting.

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FF14 Swap Write Day 6

Today's Word is: My Cup of Tea

Meaning

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FF14 Swap Write Day 5: Shell

Nebula walked along side Gwyn on the beach, west of Yedlihmad. Their partner held and umbrella to shade them both as they strolled. A basket hung near the crook of one elbow. It was empty so far but they hoped it would not be by the time they were done.

"How much longer do you think we should take before we move on again?" Gwyn asked as she adjusts the umbrella she was holding.

"I think we should linger a little longer unless another emergency calls us to our people. Again." Nebula sighed softly before smiling. "Seeing as our work is never done. But I wish to learn a little more from the alchemists of Radz-at-han while Cedrik is still recovering out here. Not that he needs me present anymore. His healing is coming along well enough since he's listening to the orders the healers are giving him."

"That's surprising from the way you've talked about him in the past. I expected him to misbehave because he didn't want to be bed bound." Gwyn quips as she lets go of Nebula's arm to allow the viera the freedom to collect the sea shells they had come across.

"I agree but I think Marcy's presence and being that Aryn is in the area, are reasons he is behaving himself. Not that Aryn and Cedrik are really speaking much. They seem mostly polite to one another but there is no sign of their previous closeness." Picking up the shells to put into their basket. "I hope time will eventually mend things between them. They were a good pair before things went wrong."

"Aryn is a bit energetic." Gwyn huffs softly as she looks off to the side to see a couple crabs. "I am tempted to take some crab back for dinner."

"You'd be stuck carrying that thing." Nebula politely reminds her as they pick up another seashell that looked in good shape for what they planned to use these for.

"True... It's a bit warm today for lugging around a big crab shell. Besides I'm sure the Troupe either has some or Aryn knows where I can get some."

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FF14 Swap Write Day 5

Today's Word is: Shell

Meaning

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FF14 Swap Write Day 4: Monstrous

Notes: Mentions of blood and vampire behavior.

This is part of an AU (which was mainly meant to be Cedrik/Aryn AU but has evolved beyond it XD) I started last year during the FFxivWrite. We last left off with Aryn and Cedrik leaving Nebula's shop. So now we'll pick up with what happened to Jesse/Ronove. This is more of a Modern Fantasy kind of Etheirys than the current MSQ.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 (In case anyone wants to read what has happened prior to this point.)

Ugh his head hurt. In fact all of him hurt but the head was the worst. Had he gotten wasted or something? Why couldn't he really remember what happened that he was unconscious? He sure didn't remember going to sleep. Something had to have happened to him. It just wasn't something he could recall.

Jesse slowly pushed himself to a sitting position so he could assess himself. The last thing he could recall was the concert where he was playing a backup dancer for Valentin. He rubbed his head as he rapidly blinked a few times to try and clear his vision.

This was definitely not the concert venue. Or the apartment he shared with Elijah. This place was dark and practically foreboding. A shiver ran down his spine as he climbed to his feet off the floor where he'd awoken. The lighting was dim and red tinged as he shuffled his way towards a sink he spotted.

What the hells?! The eyes staring back him were not his own. They looked practically demonic. The whites of his eyes were black and his pupils were vertical slits. Oh gods... His eyes drifted lower as he touched his face. His skin was no longer a golden tan but near black. And his teeth! He ran a finger over the sharpened points including the now longer canines that looked like fangs. A pair of horns that curved along the sides of his head.

Jesse stumbled away from the mirror in shock. Surely this was a nightmare. There was no way he could possibly look like that. Right? Right?! He turned and stumbled further into the building and it's smokey dimmed red lit interior.

Flashes of memory came back to him as he stumbled about. The alley and the flash of pain. Something had attacked him when he'd left the venue after the concert. He'd felt the life draining from him but his captor's hold was too strong. His shock and panic had frozen him to the spot. Oh gods... He'd been with Aryn! What happened to Aryn?!

"Ah seems my newest prize has finally awakened."

Jesse's footsteps halted as he slowly looked in the direction of the voice that had spoken. The dim lighting made it almost impossible to make out the details of a man that sat reclined in a chair and the several people in the shadows near him.

"Who are you? Where am I?" Jesse tried to remain calm but he felt the tremors his own emotions were causing.

"Tsk. You haven't earned the right to ask questions." The man in the chair scolded as he raised a hand and made a pulling motion.

Jesse yelped as it felt like he was yanked forward towards the man. He grabbed at his throat as if he would be able to find whatever was there pulling him. But there was nothing. It had to be something magical that was yanking him like a dog on a leash. He fell to his hands and knees in front of the seated man. He looked up at his captor with a glare as he resisted the urge to spout curses at the rough treatment. Sadly he had a feeling it was only going to earn him pain right now.

"I am your master now and you answer to me only. I am The Elder. I am Alberich. Being that you are freshly turned... I bet you're starving. Elijah. If you would be so kind to feed our newest pet." Alberich's deep voice beckons to one of the dark silhouettes near him.

Elijah?! Surely not the same Elijah. Had to just be a coincidence.

Only it wasn't. Jesse would recognize that face anywhere. He'd been seeing the man for months now. But Elijah wouldn't look at him as he hauled a squirming person forward. A disheveled man who had clearly been beaten at some point. The man was tossed down beside Jesse.

Jesse could have sworn he saw a glimpse of sorrow and regret in Eli's eyes as he stepped back into the shadows. Was his beloved a prisoner too like he was now? Surely that had to be it. But Elijah still looked the same. Maybe whatever had happened to him hadn't happened to Eli. Jesse swore silently to the heavens that he would get out of this and free them both if that was the case. All he needed was to find a way back to the Troupe and Fenryr. Surely they would be able to sort this out.

A viera woman with short dirty blonde hair now stepped forward with a blade. The man on the floor next to him whimpered as she made a cut on the man's arm before stepping back. The action confused Jesse as he looked down at the man.

Then it hit him like a fist to the gut. A hunger so strong and powerful.

"Yes I see you can sense it now. I give you your first meal." Alberich would have been grinning if his face had been human. Tentacles where the chin and mouth should have been. His face looked a lot like a squid. "You work for me now. You have no choice because your very life depends on it. As does that of your precious lover."

Jesse noticed Eli looking away at the mention of him. So Eli was a prisoner too. Jesse was trying to resist the hunger that was gnawing at him like a starving animal. It was telling him to feed on the bleeding man beside him.

"Now then... Tell me your name and feed that hunger so that we may begin our night's work." Alberich crooked a clawed finger at Jesse.

Jesse remembered that names had power. It was something taught to him at the Troupe. He would not give this creature the satisfaction if Elijah hadn't outed his name already. Alberich would not be given that power. "Ronove."

He would find a way out of what had happened. He would kill Alberich or die trying. Unfortunately to do that... He'd have to give in to this hunger so that he was strong enough to stand a chance. Silently he begged the gods to forgive him as he lunged at the bleeding man to take his first meal.

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FF14 Swap Write Day 4

Today's word is: Monstrous

Meaning

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FF14 Swap Write Day 3: Meal

(Note: Contains mentions of blood and dead bodies.)

Nebula moved between the tables of their workroom back in the Clan. They had come back when a clan mate had sent word that a small group of people had come prowling too close to their small village in the deep Shroud.

They hadn't wanted to return at the time since they had still been spending a break with Gwyn near Radz-at-han among the Blue Moon Troupe as guests. One of their own was recovering in the Troupe's Halls of Healing. But as the future leader of the clan, when the clan called they had to answer. Cedrik would be fine enough for a few days without their presence. Especially with Marcy hovering so near while Cedrik recovered from his near death experience.

Gwyn and Nebula had returned to the clan to find the trespassers. Of course they were so-called 'treasure hunters' looking for something that would make them rich. Including stealing valuable artifacts in protection of Clan Carina. The clan protected some of the remnants of belongings from the War of the Magi. Both harmless and dangerous. Though Nebula had moved some of the more dangerous items to the safety of the Blue Moon where they could be better safe guarded with the clan's approval.

Nebula blinked and looked up from their work at the sound of gagging. "I did warn you..." Their gaze returning to their work as they ground the pestle in the bowl. A soft growl coming from a corner where golden eyes glowed.

"I know... I just wish I didn't know this is what you decided to do with their bodies..." Gwyn grimaced as she tried not to look at what Nebula was working on as the golden eyes in that dark corner disappeared. Karma floated out of the corner to come pat Gwyn on the shoulder with their little wand.

"Better bone meal and blood meal than wasted. They can nurture the soil for our plants for being foolish enough to trespass with the intent to harm." Nebula shrugs as they toss aside pieces of the body they didn't plan to use into a waste bucket.

"And everyone thinks I'm the scary one." Gwyn scrunches her face and doesn't move further into the work room. "If they knew you, they'd know you're the more dangerous one."

"More dangerous yes. Scary? Not unless provoked. I don't have the gaze that says 'if looks could kill'. That one is all you." Nebula lightly teases as they pick up a cloth to wipe the blood from their hands. "Though you are still dangerous in your own right. I do what I must for the good of the clan. I'll clean up and we can go to the baths back in Radz-at-han to relax for a bit. I'm sorry you had to come along for this."

"It's fine. You'd think dead bodies wouldn't phase me for all that I have done in Lady Iceheart's name." Gwyn shrugs as she rubs Karma's head lightly.

"Killing people and carving them up for fertilizer are two very different things. I don't think less of you for not having the stomach for this part. I merely accept it for what it is. Making use instead of waste. The plants much enjoy it. Don't judge yourself on this situation, my Bellflower." Nebula begins putting things away as they talk. "I'll get one of the others to feed the plants so that we may depart."

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FF14 Swap Write Day 3

Today's word is: Meal

Meaning

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FF14 Swap Write Day 2: Jaws of Death

Esper gave a small huff, fully prepared for his fate today at the clutches of a small child. He'd long since given up resisting after years of this. Besides he really didn't mind it too terribly much. His fur and ears never got pulled. Mostly he had to deal with being dressed up or decorated with ribbons, much to his caster's dismay.

Today though they were going for a walk in the woods because Destiney and Stefan had wanted to talk plus let Evelyn wear off some energy. Tucker was off running with Syluss's own pack of wolves. Which meant Esper only had Fai to help in keeping an eye on Evelyn. The dragonbo familiar was sometimes as much trouble as the child. How much trouble could a five year old get into paired with a familiar? Apparently plenty...

The two adults didn't seem to be paying a lot of mind to Evelyn. Likely because Esper was padding along at her side. They trusted the little fluffy magical creature that he was. All the pressure in wrangling a child and chaotic familiar.

Evelyn was all too happy to take off running chasing after the smaller magical familiar. With a roll of his eyes, Esper chased after the pair. There was only the quick shout from the girl's mother about not running too far from them. Too late for that.

Esper ran after the pair as fast as his little legs could carry him. The two had eventually stopped to look at something on the river bank, not giving any attention to their surroundings. A Yarzon was approaching them at the river's edge. Esper let out a squeak of protest as he charged the Yarzon with his claws at the ready.

It was a good minute till the yarzon fell to Esper's claws. The fluffy carbuncle giving a sigh of relief. That moment didn't last though as he looked to where the pair had been. Now gone from sight. Sigh...

Esper looked around before deciding to use his nose to try and track the pair down. Thankfully it didn't take that long and he managed to find them. With a diremite looking at them as if they were it's next meal. Here we go again...

Finally with the diremite dealt with... Esper looked to find them gone... AGAIN! This was getting ridiculous. Back to searching he went, worried he'd find them in the jaws of some other foul creature.

Only to find them with Destiney and Stefan. Esper collapses on the ground with a huff. Thank the gods... He was tired and didn't want to have to chase them down again. But his rest was quickly interrupted as he was swept up into Evelyn's arms with the girl giggling and kissing him on the head.

Okay so maybe he could forgive her for the antics. This time.

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FF14 Swap Write Day 2

Today's word is: Jaws of Death

Meaning

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FF14 Swap Write Day 1: Bond

Ronove sighed as he followed after Stefan down into the dark. Despite all they had to keep them busy at the Troupe, Stefan had gotten a bit stir crazy. Something about missing his explorations of the dark and mysterious. Okay so maybe he hadn't quite put it in those exact terms. But to Ronove, he might as well have. Dungeon delving was apparently something Stefan enjoyed. Why? Ronove couldn't say really.

Maybe it was because for the most part, Stefan was left alone to his own devices. No one to bother him and all the treasure was his if he found anything worth keeping. However Stefan had reluctantly agreed not to go alone for now. Certain someones back at the Troupe had given him much grief about it. At least Stefan would put it that way. So now Ronove was stuck tagging along. Especially since they had yet to solve the Alberich problem.

At least it wasn't hard to follow Stefan in the dark even with the torch. Esper was like a small sparkly glowing beacon of magic. Ronove didn't even have to rely on their bond to track his partner down.

Ronove went rushing into the next room when he heard Stefan yelp, teeth and claws at the ready to fight the cause. Only to find Stefan sitting on the ground rubbing his head. With a frown, Ronove looked around to try and figure out what happened. His voidal eyes picked up the remnants of a spell. A trap maybe? Most likely.

"Need a hand?" Ronove offered a hand down to Stefan to help him up. Rolling his eyes as Stefan grumbled and took the offered hand.

Only one problem.

Now both of them frowned as they tried to pull their hands apart. And failed.

"Seven hells..." Stefan cursed as he tried again to no avail.

"Wonderful. I always wanted new jewelry in the shape of a person." Ronove sighed as he tried to lighten the mood of their predicament.

"Not funny!" Stefan grumped as blew out a frustrated breath. "I am never going to hear the end of this..."

"Well at least you can tell them you didn't go alone. I mean I did get stuck too. Bright side, you could have been stuck to something in here instead of me?" Ronove chirped as he grinned. "I'm sure Fen or that witchy person visiting might know how to break this."

"Hmm... Hopefully." Stefan was definitely a bit miffed at this. He hadn't even gotten anything worthwhile. Other than maybe learning a new possible spell trap he could use. Only if he didn't end up trapped to another person. At least he'd research this once he wasn't stuck to Ronove. "Let's get out of here for now. I don't want to try fighting stuck like this. Or see what happens if I borrow your power... That may have bad consequences..."