umbralsound-xiv

[umbralsound-xiv]

Checkmate.

The telltale sound of Q'kura's approach sounded down the hallway; two footsteps and the dull thud of wood against stone where his cane met with the floor to steady himself. He pushes into the infirmary a little clumsily, ears lowered for a moment until he'd given a glance at the only other occupant, proceeding inwards shortly after. What hadn't escaped his notice was the chess set perched on a nearby table; the pieces irritatingly disordered and far from where they should have been. Rolling his eyes, Q'kura takes a few steps to the table. "What simpleton set this out?" He'd not expected Saran to reply, merely complaining aloud. "The knights are in the completely wrong place--- And the white king is on the wrong side!" As though compelled by some sense to set things right, he begins moving pieces to their correct and proper locations.

Honestly, are my coworkers so uneducated that they can't even set up a simple chess board? There's not even that many pieces, and if someone owns one, they should at the very least educate themselves on how to play. Ugh.

The door opening catches Saran's attention; prompting her to glance up from the stack of papers before her that she had been sat flickering through, gracing Q'kura with a glance that then slipped back to the papers. At least, until he speaks, and once again gains a look from her. Her brow arches ever so slightly at the insult, yet her lips curl into the slightest of amused smirks as he begins to correct the pieces. No longer interested in the stack of papers, she shoves them aside and swivels around on her stool to face Q'kura, leaning back and planting her elbows atop the desk now behind her. "Perhaps someone simply wanted to irritate those who knew it was wrong." She mused. "So. You know how to play, Q'kura?"

"Obviously." Q'kura retorts, having quickly rearranged the pieces within moments. His bespectacled gaze falls on her, then. "Pff. I shouldn't be surprised, considering the company you keep. At least when you get bored, you merely settle for annoyance, rather than wanton violence." He sighs through his nose, ears lowering an ilm, glancing over his shoulder for a moment, before looking back.

Saran's head tilts to the side, lips curled into an obvious, disingenuous smile - and she makes no attempt to cover that fact. "Actually, I didn't place them incorrectly to annoy others." She hums. "I did it to find someone who could play."

"Hm." Q'kura's eyes narrow behind his glasses; He'd fallen for that one, giving the aforementioned chess pieces a rueful glance. "It isn't hard to learn, when you know the basics." Taking a few paces to deposit a small armful of paperwork on a nearby desk, he raises a brow. "Why?"

Oh, no. I don't like this. I don't like this one bit, actually. She tricked me, i'm never telling her to her face, but... Ugh!

"Simple. I want you to teach me how to play it." She beams, still as disingenuous as before. She corrects the way she sits to straighten herself, settling her hands in her lap. "And you will teach me, yes?"

An incredulous look is passed in Saran's direction in response to her words. "Coworkers we might be, but why would i want to teach Vairg's little lapdog anything?" Q'kura scoffs, looking her over with as much disdain as his words carried.

Saran's gaze lidded, some small amount of malice slipping into that feigned smile of hers as she shoves herself out of her seat and takes a few, nonthreatening, steps towards Q'kura. "Because otherwise this little lapdog will go barking to Vairg that she found someone he can.. play with." She smiles. "You either teach me, so that I can do it, or I will make sure he knows you can play."

Oh fuck you, Saran. All the way to the moon and back. You're going to blackmail me into teaching you by using that bastard as a threat? ...I won't deny it's effective, but... Ugh. You're perfect for eachother.

Q'kura stares at her, and does his best to hold a neutral if not vaguely offended expression, if the pin of his ears hadn't betrayed him, sinking back against his head. A moment of silence is given in response, huffing a sigh through his nose in the next. "Well, you already have the manipulative tendencies to excel." Distaste drips from his words, though he doesn't give much argument, having weighed the potential repercussions already.

Her golden gaze rests atop Q'kura, not betraying even the slightest hint of what thoughts may have crossed her mind. "Thank you." She smiles, likely aware that it was not a compliment. "Besides, it will be.. beneficial for you that he has someone else to play with and remains unaware of your knowledge, hm?"

"I suppose." Q'kura replies, though it's clear that he's far from happy about the situation. He takes a seat beside the chessboard bearing desk, lips pursed into a frown. Though, his brows loft as he mulls something over. "Well, he clearly knows how to play, too. Why are you asking me to teach you, when you have a perfectly good…" He wafts a hand, dismissively, "--Person, who can teach you instead?"

Saran's own steps led her towards the chessboard, eyes trailing across the setup before seeking it's way back to the Seeker, one brow lofting. "I thought you were meant to be smart, Q'kura." She cracked a little smirk. "The simple answer, is that he likely wouldn't if I asked. His patience may be split depending on the circumstances, but.. I sincerely doubt teaching someone how to play chess is on the list."

"Excuse me? You're the one asking -me- how to play chess, Saran. If he won't teach you, how do you know he's even going to want to play with you?" Q'kura scoffs, shaking his head. "All you're good for to him is satisfying his cravings in one way or another, i'm sure."

"I'm not asking." She corrects, flashing another insincere smile. "But, to answer your question. He won't teach me, but he will more than likely humour me on a sun when he's particularly bored." Her head tilts to the other side, gaze resting calmly upon Q'kura. "His cravings for food, yes."

He flicks an ear at her first words, though offers no reply to that, simply nudging his glasses further up his nose. "Anything that keeps him in that stuffy room of his. I honestly don't care. Take notes." Q'kura retorts flippantly, extending an index to the smallest and most numerous of the pieces. "This is a pawn. They move forwards two spaces on their first turn if they like. They can only move one afterwards, and can only capture enemy pieces by striking diagonally, where they will then move into the captured pieces location. Make it to the other end of the board with them, you can promote them to become one of the better pieces, any of your choosing."

"Don't you worry. I don't need notes." She hummed, lowering herself into one of the seats by the board to more properly see what he gestures to. Her usual demeanor seems to become almost pushed back as she listens to his explanations, quite clearly genuinely focused on learning. ".. I see."

"I'm only going to show you this once." Q'kura narrows his eyes as though to make a point, then moves to the back row, pointing to a tower-shaped piece. "This is a rook. It can move as far as it likes in any cardinal direction, though must stop when it claims a piece, or is otherwise blocked by your own units."

Her golden orbs trail up to Q'kura, gaze a little vacant for a moment before that little switch is flicked, and her eyes lid with some healthy amount of cockiness. "You're going to show me as many times as is required for me to learn, lest I can't do what I intend and you get put in that place instead." She reminds, or threatens, who knows. Her eyes trail back down to the chessboard, her focus resettling on what he's showing, and telling.

"Then take notes!" Q'kura states again, half rolling his eyes as he moves to the next piece. This one is more curved; perhaps a horse, perhaps a chocobo. "The knight moves two spaces in any cardinal direction, and then one to the side adjacent. It's also the only piece that can cross over others, be it your allies, or your enemies."

"I don't need notes." She reiterates, not bothering to look up at him this time. Her gaze is locked on the piece as he speaks, putting its shape and ability to memory while nodding along.

All he offers is another flat look in response, and moves to the next piece. "The bishop is the same as the rook, only it moves diagonally, instead of cardinally." He pauses for a moment, hesitating. "---Do you think you'll actually be able to beat him?"

I'd be surprised if she remembers all of this, much less beats him. More to the point, who taught Vairg to play chess? Did he torture them into it? Threaten them? Probably.

Her head follows along in another nod at that nugget of information, his question causing her gaze to peel back to him, head tilting. "At some point. Currently, he is.. definitely more experienced than I am. But, a few games, analyse what I did wrong and should change.. I believe I will be able to."

"I hope for your sake, he isn't a sore loser." Q'kura huffs, though doesn't question her confidence. "The next is the Queen. She can move both cardinally and diagonally as far as she pleases, until she is blocked by an ally, or captures an enemy."

"Perhaps he will consider it a nice change of pace that someone doesn't immediately cower out of fear. As much as he enjoys making people fear him." By no means does her words seem directed at Q'kura in particular, or anyone for that matter. Her eyes fall back to the chess piece, a low hum escaping her. "I see."

Though not directed at him, Q'kura's eyes still narrow behind his glasses. "Look, whatever floats your boat. The longer he's in there with you, playing chess or… Whatever, the less he's out here." His finger moves to the final piece, then. "This is the King. He can move one space in any direction, save for any move that would endanger him. If an opponent makes a move that endangers a King, they call that 'check'. The goal is 'checkmate' - To make it so your opponent's King is unable to move to a safe location."

Saran cracks an almost genuinely amused little smile. "What currently floats my boat is observing people make assumptions about things they have no clue about and spitting their comments in my direction. Half the Compound has it in their heads that Vairg and I are sleeping together, and most almost seem jealous." Her gaze lids faintly, peering at the 'King' piece, nodding along to his words.

"Hah! Jealous. I'd sooner fornicate with the dirt than go anywhere near him. Or you, for that matter -- No offense." Q'kura wafts a dismissive hand, though lofts a brow. "So it's nothing more than… What? Simply bringing him food? I find that difficult to believe."

I can't believe that. Food? She's just bringing him food. Really? As though he can't get up and go get it himself! ...Though, the less he's around the mess hall, the better.

"None taken. You're not on my list, either." She flashes a smirk, one that seems.. surprisingly friendly. "I bring him food. We chat on occasion, sometimes he prefers that I just leave immediately."

"And… What? You want to talk to him?" Q'kura's nose is half wrinkled in disgust. "And you're having me teach you chess to play with him. What are you hoping to gain out of it, Saran? Surely there's better people to spend your time with…?"

She settles an elbow upon her thigh, rising the hand to sink her own jaw into her palm while her head tilts, gaze locked upon Q'kura as she seems to consider her answer for a moment. "Sorry to disappoint, but you don't know me nearly well enough to pick my brain, Q'kura." She muses, keeping an amused expression on her features.

"I know you've got piss poor taste in men." Q'kura states, looking to her flatly. "If you're not sleeping with him, you clearly want something else. I think you're trying to… Well, i won't say befriend, because i don't even think he knows what one is. Impress him? Get on his good side, not that he has a good side to get on?"

Her smirk grows a little wider. "And is your taste any better? Could you point out a single person here that would be considered good taste? Trying to get with anyone outside of the Compound is unlikely." To his questions, she merely grins - offering no response to them otherwise.

"My taste is better because i know there's no one here worth my time." Q'kura rolls his eyes again, moving to stand from the desk. "As much as i don't know you well, you barely know a thing about me either."

"I can assure you that I would have an easier time finding out about you than you would me." Ominous? Just a touch. Her head tilts a little further, a laugh in the form of an exhale making itself known. "Eitherway, nothing is going on so. You don't know if my taste in partners is awful or not."

"Perhaps, but i don't particularly care enough to do my research about you." The cane meets the floor again, as Q'kura begins to make for the door. "For what it's worth, i hope you win."

Saran straightens her head, flashing a smirk. "I will let you know." Is the only thing she adds, gaze settling on the chessboard again - inspecting the various pieces.

Q'kura doesn't offer much reply to that; Simply sparing her a glance, before departing through the door from which he came.

I hope she wins, only because she's a lot less insufferable than he is. And it might wipe that smirk off his face for a little. The less it has to do with me, the better.

[umbralsound-xiv]

For Bexy: What trait does your OC value most in a person? (from @tsukinoxiv)

OOC: Above all things, loyalty.

Whether it's loyalty to an ideal, or a cause - She respects someone upholding what they believe in, even if it's not something she personally agrees with.

Loyalty to a partner is of utmost importance. To betray that is to invite her ire, even if it's not her you've personally wronged.

Loyalty to her... If she's trusted you enough to call you a friend, and you break that, it's far worse than even the more grievous wound you could physically inflict. With time and patience, she might forgive you... But she won't ever forget.

[umbralsound-xiv]

Little Victories.

He's halfway through rearranging the flowers in the vase for the third time, half bought from the market and half plucked from the garden, when he hears Sayuri's approaching footsteps. Immediately, Eir's attention darts to the door, pulling away from the table to stand in the middle of the room. Even now, he gives an anxious rock on his feet, shifting his weight from one to the other…

Sayuri lightly massages her temples as she walks through the garden, a heavy sigh that she had no doubt carried for quite some time now escaping her. Her steps lead her to the door, that she slips open just enough for her to pass through before it shuts, mismatched eyes fluttering faintly as they swiftly find their way to the Viera in the middle of the room. She greets him with a weary little smile, brows a little furrowed.

...She had been to Thanalan. To speak with the woman who claimed to be her Mother. There was no telling how the meeting would go... But i would do everything i could to ensure she had nothing but peace and comfort to return to.

"Welcome home, my Moon…" Eir greets with almost a quiet hesitation, though gives Sayuri a warm smile all the same. "How… Did…" He starts, before dismissing the sentence with a shake of his head, taking only half a step forward. "…Are you okay…?"

".. My head feels like it's going to explode, but..." She trails, taking the steps to close the distance between them - aiming to gently wrap her arms around him. ".. I'm fine, I think."

Eir gathers her gently in his arms in a single sweeping motion, giving her a loving squeeze as he simply just… Holds her, for a little. "Good… Fine is good…" He murmurs, before adding. "…Did you get the answers you wanted…?" Before she can reply, he adds; "…The house is clean. And i made more unadon, in case you were hungry. I… Did not bother with a bath this time, but i can run one all the same if you wish. I fluffed the pillows, too…"

".. Not entirely. Some answers.. made questions disappear. Nothing could have prepared me for anything she told me.. I had to leave earlier than intended because there was just.." She pouts weakly, tilting her ears back. ".. It was overwhelming. I needed a break, said I'd find her in a few suns.." Her gaze trails to the table. ".. Some food sounds nice, actually--.." Eyes settling on the fresh flowers, her ears flatten and she looks up at Eir, almost looking as if she'd cry - even if it's definitely not for bad reasons. ".. You got me flowers..?"

"If you want to speak of it, i am more than happy to listen. And if you would prefer not, that is fine, too. I am here, no matter what." Eir gives another squeeze, loosening his arms slightly, but not entirely releasing her as she spoke again; Even the mention of her wanting to eat has brightened his otherwise worried features. "---Of course i did. You were… I know this last little while has been difficult for you, so… I want to show my appreciation however i can. However small…" He casts his gaze over to the small bouquet; blue lilies and white carnations, peppered with baby's breath. "…I hoped they would make you smile…"

She leans her head forwards to press it into his chest, arms squeezing tightly around him. ".. Thank you." She half-whispered.

"Of course." Eir leans his head down to kiss her crown, humming faintly. He wouldn't move away until she did, content to keep her there as long as she wanted to stay. "Take a seat at the table when you are ready to eat, hm? Would you like anything to drink?"

Her ears wiggle softly at the kiss, head pushing up to give him a nudge as she gave him a final squeeze before beginning to let go. "Mmh.. Do we have any juice..?"

"Mhm. Orange, or elderflower, or rolanberry. I made sure to stock up." Eir releases her gently, making way to the counter where two bowls of unadon sat. Notably, one had much more eel than the other, and there was no doubting who that one would be for.

"Elderflower, please." She murmurs, stepping over to the table and slipping onto a chair. Her gaze trails to the flowers, a small smile settling on her lips as she raises a hand to delicately run a finger along one of the lilies' petals.

Just to hear her happier. To hear the joy in her voice was... Everything. It eased me more than she knew, feeling her arms around me, holding me tight.

"Elderflower it is." Eir chimes. Two glasses are taken, filled with the floral liquid, before he brings both of them to the table, returning to fetch the meal and utensils soon after. "I bought the eel earlier. To the point the fisherwoman who caught it sought me out when she saw me in the market…"

Sayuri arches a brow, a soft chuckle following. "I suppose she recognizes one of her most recurring customers.." She smiles.

"I would catch it myself, if i had any talent for fishing…" Taking the seat opposite, he sighs; Clearly, the first proper rest he'd had since her departure. "…But alas, my talents are limited. Mostly to the stage. And to the kitchen." He takes a forkful of eel and rice.

"And to being a good husband." Sayuri adds, fishing up a piece of eel that swiftly disappears between her lips.

He beams proudly at that compliment, though his expression soon softens. "…Anything for you. I… Try my very best, in any case." He considers a few moments between bites. "…I had a thought earlier, when i was cooking. Have you ever tried other eel-based dishes…? I was thinking to learn some. Even you perhaps would not eat unadon every single sun…"

".. You do more than try. However rough a sun I'm having, I always find comfort with you." She offers a small smile, tilting her head. ".. Not to my memory. I know Yasu has made some before in hopes I'd eat it, but.. considering how my appetite was when I was little, I often.. did not." She pauses, scooping up eel and rice with her fork. "I'm not opposed to trying them, these suns."

"Then i will endeavour to learn a recipe or two. I am growing quite fond of eel, myself…" Another few forkfuls and a drink, Eir sighs peacefully. "…It is so good to see you smile. You said you would seek her out again, soon. That is to say… Your meeting wasn't so terrible that you never wish to see her again…?"

Sayuri's smile almost turned a little pained, fork digging at the eel and rice as a small sigh leaves her. ".. If what she told me is true, she.. really is my mother, and.. did not know until long after I was already gone.." Her voice trails, fork pushing into a piece of eel a little more firmly.

"…Which means she always wanted you, Sayuri. She spent so long looking, did she not…?" Eir thins his lips a little as her smile falters. "---We need not speak about it if you do not wish to."

To know that her Mother did not just leave her to her fate. She looked. Twenty cycles later, and she still kept searching... There are good parents. Sometimes. I hope she is one of them.

".. So she said, when I asked.." She shook her head slightly, forcing her smile to brighten. ".. It's not really a happy subject, but.. I'm okay speaking of it." She does her best to sound reassuring.

"Only when you want to. I am here, always." He reaches to take her hand, if only for a moment, in the limited display of affection that he could from where he sat. "…And i love you. Always. No matter what. No matter how terrible of a time you might have, whether it be suns, moons, or cycles, i will be here, ready to at least… Try and make it better."

A soft smile settles on her lips, hand gently meeting his as he reached for her. "I love you too." She murmured softly, eyes shutting briefly as she takes a deep breath. "She.. told me that I was switched. That I was taken from her and given to X'thynira.. while she in turn gained X'thynira's stillborn. I.. assume I was born a couple of suns before.."

"…It explains how she never knew. It… Makes sense. I could not imagine her grief, to be told her child passed so young, to have held her in her arms…" Even speaking the words sees Eir's gaze shift slowly away. Facing away from the front door, his attention settles on a shelf, before it darts away, settling in the quiet. "…But you said you will speak with her again?"

...But i could imagine it. Lilya was born sickly. Her first week was... I must have worn the stones thin with all my pacing. I could do nothing, save fetch food and medicine and anything we could need. There were other times we almost lost her, too...

".. Yeah. And.. continues to draw up just how utterly awful X'aoki is." She frowns weakly, her thumb gently caressing his knuckles. ".. Farraia is the only person from the tribe who cared for me, even thinking I wasn't hers.. And gods, the fury in that woman when I told her what X'aoki did.." A soft sigh escapes her. "I.. don't think I got to cover all bases, some things.. certainly caught me off-guard.. So I'd like to gather my thoughts and speak with her again, yes."

"…He is a failure of a parent." Eir focuses on the small sensation of her hand against his, a flicker of a comforted smile at his lips as he continued to eat with his fork, listening. "…I am glad that… It was an amiable meeting, even if the things spoken of were difficult. If i can help in any way… You need only ask, yes?"

".. I was angry when I first arrived." She admitted. ".. Angry, and hurt.. But seeing Farraia's own pain, and the guilt she felt.. I couldn't stay angry." Her gaze lowers to his hand, gently trailing her thumb along his knuckles once more, head sinking into a gentle nod. "I.. found something out, that I.. wish I asked a little more about, but.. It wasn't even a thought in my head that it could be a possibility, and I just felt a desperate need for a break after it."

"Is it… Something we should be worried about…?" Eir asks with hesitation. He'd paused eating to turn his attention fully to her, brows knitted in concern.

"No, no. Nothing like that. Just.. a part of me I didn't.. know I had, because I'm fairly far removed from it, judging by the brief explanation I did get." She pauses, brows furrowing a touch. "I am apparently.. part Keeper."

Eir's gaze doesn't move from her. But his eyes narrow a little, before widening, giving a long, slow blink as he processed her words. A laugh jumps out of his throat, short and sweet before he stops it, holding her hand tighter as some apology for any small offense caused. "Well, that…" He quietly clears his throat, and takes a few more forkfuls of his dwindling food. "…That explains the teeth…"

...Just like B'nhara. It is an amusing coincidence... I have always been fond of Miqo'te, but... For such a specific trait...? If there are indeed Gods, they must find some humour with it. I am just thankful to them that they brought them to me.

Sayuri's brows furrow a touch at his reaction, but inevitably returns a smile. ".. Hah." She huffs, squeezing his hand. "My.. great-grandmother is apparently a full Keeper." She pauses. "..And apparently has one hell of a mood if she's angry, so.. There's a chance that.. my anger isn't from X'aoki."

"Perhaps you were lucky and skipped all his traits. Even if it is otherwise, the anger you have now is yours. I have rarely ever seen you point it at someone who does not deserve it." He finishes the last of his meal, settling the fork in the bowl.

She offers a small pout, scooping up the last bit of eel that managed to survive long enough to be the last piece - it swiftly disappears. ".. One can hope."

"We can. At least you have some answers… Even if you have plenty more questions, besides." He drains the rest of his drink, leaving him to simply gaze ahead to her opposite the table. "…Plenty to think on. What would you like to do for the remainder of this sun, hm?"

".. Cling to you and never let go?" Sayuri huffs with amusement. ".. I feel less upset, at least.. So I'll take it."

At the request, Eir simply outstretches his arms for her to come join him on his seat, opting not to waste a moment in fulfilling her wishes. "…Less upset. Little victories, if nothing else…"

I would have been happy to hold her for the rest of her cycles, if she had asked it of me. She is home. Happy, within reason. And we must enjoy these moments of peace whilst we are able.

[umbralsound-xiv]

An Unexpected Friend.

Idle steps wander down the hall, Vex idly tapping her fingers against a cloth wrap she had woven around an item she was carrying, gaze trailing along the doors of the hallway before settling upon the one leading to the infirmary. With a small flick of her ear, her steps lead her to it - a hand settling on the door's handle and pushing it down to open it up and slip by, letting it close behind her. ".. Helloo?"

Sat on the bed at the most distant part of the infirmary, Q'kura's breath catches in his throat at the sound of the door, and a voice he'd not expected; Neoma's gentle tone he'd grown used to, and any other had immediately set him on edge. This voice, however, he knew. "…Hello…?" He calls back, nerves threading his tone, slowly closing the book he'd held in his hands.

Neoma? No... No, it doesn't sound like her. But then, it doesn't sound like Bexy, or Sayuri, or... ...Vex?

Vex's ear flicks again as it picks up Q'kura's voice, her steps leading her further into the infirmary to find him. "Just me." She tries to reassure, leaning against the wall with her shoulder. ".. How are you feeling?"

He seems to relax a little as Vex pulls into view, and upon noting there were no other footsteps with her, gives a small sigh. "As well as i can be, considering. I'm practically confined to an infirmary either here or back at the compound, and people seem fit to yell at me in either one." His words are a little sharp, but he swallows back, a little jittery. "…But it's quiet here, at least. And the food is better." Glancing down, he almost murmurs; "The people, too…"

".. Yeeah.." Vex exhales a small huff, grimacing slightly. ".. I mean. At least it ain't yelling at you without cause. Like Eanwin." She snorts. "..She's one loud, mean fuck." Her gaze sinks to the wrapped up item in her hand, which she slowly extends over to place it on the table, in Q'kura's reach. ".. Speaking of food, I brought you some. Y'know. If you get hungry later. Or now. Choice is yours."

"Gods, i could be a hundred malms away and i swear i can still hear her damned voice…" Midway through his complaint, he spies Vex as she nears, sitting a little further upright to nudge his glasses further up his nose. Though as the bundle of food is settled down with a little explanation, his lips part to say… Nothing. Instead, they downturn to a little frown, looking back up to her. "…That… Answers a question i have had for a little while…"

...She brought me food? I... Why would she... ...It was her. Wasn't it? When Bexy let me free, and i woke in the shade with my pockets full...

"I mean, I swear I've heard her in the arena while she's been in the infirmary. Wouldn't be too surprised if I heard her all the way here from the Compound." Vex flashes a little grin, only to tilt her head curiously. ".. What question?"

"When i--- When she--- When they let me go. I walked out of the cell, and then it all went dark, and i woke up propped against a tree in the shade. My pocket---" He takes the small bundle, ears lowering as he looks up to Vex, eyes a little wider. "…That was you. Wasn't it?"

Vex pauses, but offers a nod in response. "Yeah, gathered up some scraps of things to, y'know.. Make it seem like you scavenged things in a hurry, if you were found before you woke up." One ear tilts back a touch. ".. I would've given more otherwise."

"That was… Kind." Q'kura replies, words spoken carefully with a waver. Taking the fabric, he slowly unwraps the bundle to reveal a sandwich. The very notion of it brings a flicker of a smile to his lips, before he brings his attention to her more fully, then. "…Why? I, of all people. You know i don't deserve it…"

"I have my moments. And-- I wasn't sure what you like.. but I like cheese, so there's cheese." Vex grins, tilting her head. "Well.." Her voice trails, grin fading a touch. ".. You're far from the worst one. And I.. believe you want to change. Hard to change if no one gives you a chance, though."

Her little proclamation about her favoured food brings a small huff of a laugh out of him, though it's quick to fade away. "…I still don't deserve it. The others--- The Distrusted. They want nothing to do with me, and who can blame them? Bexy, Sayuri… What i did…" Slowly, he shakes his head. "…It was wrong. I know that… Not just because it all blew way out of proportion, but…" He sighs, swaying only his good leg. "…Thank you, Vex. For… At least giving me a chance…"

"Well, you're getting it." Vex pouted, almost childishly. "Hey, half the Distrusted didn't want shit to do with me either, and I am one." She snorted with some slight amusement. ".. They have their reasons to be mad, I won't deny that.. But if they can see that you're really trying to be better.. I think they'll be more willing to listen." She pauses, ears tilting back. ".. I'd suggest trying to apologise to Eir but I really don't know how that'd go, and Sayuri might get pissed about you being close to him.." She half-mumbles, furrowing her brows. ".. Hey. You're not as bad as I thought. So, uh--.. I'm sorry I said you had a shitty personality."

"…I always thought you kept your distance on purpose. Can't hurt you if you don't care about anyone, hm?" He raises a brow over the frame of his glasses, before quietly shaking his head. "I… Still don't know what to do. I can't show i'm trying too much, or the others will catch on. But not enough, and they won't think me sincere…" At the suggestion of an apology, Q'kura thins his lips. "…What am i supposed to say? Sorry for orchestrating your kidnapping so we could use you as bait for your wife?" Cringing, the expression mellows into some muted sadness as he sighs again. "…But you're right."

The whole thing is just... Such a mess. And it's my fault. If i'd not had that idea... If i'd not done what i did... No, no there's no use thinking about it now. I just have to use this head of mine to... Try and think of a way out. Not just for me, but for the rest of the distrusted.

".. I did. All the trouble I caused made folks avoid me, which was what I wanted. Couldn't hurt anyone because they weren't my friends, hurting me directly was nothing new." She gave a small shrug, then paused. ".. If you can get Matoyan out to meet me, I can talk to him, vouch for you.. He'll trust me." Her head leaned against the wall, crimson eyes resting atop of Q'kura as a low hum escaped her. ".. If being around Matoyan make folks suspicious.. D'khoreh can be a middle-man. He's a fellow healer, afterall. Nothing weird there." She paused. ".. If he dares, anyway." A grimace took to her features at the apology, shoulders drawing into a shrug. ".. Fuck, I don't know."

"I don't know him well enough, but i wager he'd go if he knew it was you. D'khoreh…" Q'kura's features soften at the name. "…It's not that i don't trust him, but i worry if he's caught. No offense to the boy, but… If this is what's left of me…" His bespectacled gaze darts to his wounded leg, a little pained in his features for doing so, "…There'll be nothing left of him, if Vairg gets hold of him."

Gods, anyone but D'khoreh. He's a sweet kid. He doesn't deserve it.

".. I mean. Matoyan stepped in between me and Ariq more than once, so. And tried to keep me quiet on more than once occasion when I was about to get myself into shit." She drew her shoulders into a small shrug, grimacing. ".. Don't know if Vairg would go directly for him, or target D'nhehli. Chances are he'd fuck both of 'em up.. But D'khoreh is good at keeping a low profile." Another pause. "… When he doesn't overheal patients he isn't allowed to." Her gaze trails to Q'kura's leg, a small frown growing on her features. ".. Fuck, Vairg sucks."

"I don't think you need me to tell you how terrible Ariq was. A brainless imbecile, yes, but at least you could see him for what he was. Vairg is…" A shudder dances down Q'kura's spine, tail writhing beside him. "…He's got a brain, and knows how to use it. And a mean streak a malm wide. It's just…" Q'kura sighs, wavering a little as he turns his gaze to Vex again. "…If i didn't have to go back i… I don't think i would."

"Oh, I got pretty familiar with how shit Ariq was." She grimaces, arms rising to fold before her chest. ".. Starting to think I should've waited with killing Ariq until after Vairg was dead." She lofts a brow at him, but sinks her head into a small nod. ".. Can't fault you there. Sadly, they're not fond of.. quitters."

"…The only way you get out is through some immense stroke of luck, or in a bodybag. And there wasn't nearly enough of Ariq left to put in one, after what you did to him." The words leave with another grimace; Likely, Q'kura had seen the aftermath firsthand. "…No, it was deserved from you. Better you got to him before someone got bored and decided to stir things up. I… Have an awful feeling Vairg would have become left hand, one way or another…"

".. Diiid leave him a bit crispy. And sliced." Vex muttered. ".. He deserved what he got, would've made it worse if I had the time to." One hand raised to idly rub her nose, retreating back to its folded state. ".. Getting as chummy with Grym as he was, chances are he'd aim for it even if Ariq wasn't dead yet." She wrinkles her nose. "..Someone has to like him, I guess."

"Grym, Sukh, and whoever else in those halls who's devoid of taste." Q'kura's nose wrinkles so pointledly he has to adjust his glasses to keep them in place. "…At least it was you." A long, almost awkward silence passes, as Q'kura glances down to his sandwich. "…Vex?" He asks, a little quietly. "…Do you think… By the end of all of this. If… I somehow make it through…" His words trail, hushed, as though anxious to speak them. "…Do you think she'll truly let me live?"

It had crossed my mind more than once. What if it's just a ploy to use me, then kill me when i've done what i've been asked...? ... I'd probably deserve it.

Vex's own nose wrinkles in unison with Q'kura's, head shaking slightly. ".. Well, it was the least the universe could grant me after everything." She huffs, lifting her gaze a touch as he speaks her name. ".. Well, Bexy left your fate to Sayuri, and while she's mad at you.. I think she'll let you live, as long as you do your part."

"…Mist didn't seem so sure." Q'kura replies, a little uneasy. "…Her Husband, Vex. I orchestrated his capture and whilst -- Yes -- I did keep him from death's door, and ensured he could walk, which is more than i'm capable of doing for myself… If it wasn't for me…" Q'kura allows the rest of his sentence to hang, feeling as though he didn't need to finish it.

".. I know. I was at the wedding." Vex's lips thin. ".. You cured her aether troubles, too. Sure, most of these things.. probably wouldn't have happened, but not even that can be sure considering.. They had already been seen, and I think the entire Compound knows Grym has a fucking obsession with Sayuri, they'd still be hounded."

Q'kura sighs. For a long moment, he doesn't reply, but a small flicker of a smile tugs his lips regardless. "…You know, Vex…" He picks a little at the bread of his sandwich, before he raises it to take a bite. "…You're a lot smarter than you're given credit for."

Vex pauses, giving Q'kura a prolonged stare before she cracks a grin, a faint laugh passing her lips shortly afterwards. "Thanks?" She grins. ".. To be fair, people usually assume I'm an idiot because of how I am, but I'm not actually that dumb."

"Smart enough not to leave in a bodybag. You're… People smart. You seem to know who to trust, who to make allies with, and who to keep as enemies. So…" Taking a deep breath, as though some important announcement would shortly follow, Q'kura continues. "…I trust you when you tell me Matoyan will trust me. That… Sayuri won't kill me when this is all over. I don't… I… Don't really have anyone else in this world i can trust, but… If you can trust me to try and be better then… I have to trust you. Right…?"

".. I mean. Did try to get 'em to kill me, but.. They wouldn't." She mutters. ".. It ain't the easiest to figure out, who you can or can't trust.. A lot can be seen through actions, if someone's willing to stick their neck out for you, or if they just said they would and left you to the shit on your own." There's a small pause, as a surprisingly genuine smile settles on Vex's lips. "Matoyan knows I don't trust easy, so having me vouch for you should be enough. He may be suspicious, at first.. But he'll warm up to you. Ain't as scary as he looks." Her ears wilt a touch at Q'kura's words, the smile fading. ".. I will argue it, if Sayuri starts getting other thoughts. I don't think she will, but fuck knows what'll happen." There's a small pause, her tail tucking a little closer to herself. ".. You don't have to trust me, trust ain't a thing that can be forced.. But I'd like you to."

"I'm… Choosing to. Thank you, Vex." One half of the sandwich is offered to her, as some kind of cheese flavoured peace treaty for them to eat in solidarity. Though, soon after Q'kura sinks his teeth into another bite of his own, his head tilts. "…You… Tried to get them to kill you? So that you could leave…?"

Vex flashes an appreciative smile as she accepts the offered half, pushing herself away from the wall to instead approach the nearby chair and, in a fashion most common to the Seeker, seats herself and yanks her legs up to fold them. She took a bite of her sandwich half, tilting her head at Q'kura and giving a nod. "Never asked to be there, no matter how many times I ran away.. Gala'ra and Burwenna always found me and hauled me back. I riled up Ariq as much as I did because I hoped he'd snap and just kill me." The words are spoken significantly more casually than they should be, accompanied by a small shrug.

Q'kura gives a pointed frown, mid-sandwich bite at her words, ears lowering atop his head. "…I've… Seen your infirmary record, Vex. I know you've been in plenty of scrapes, but…I never thought that was your intention, that you'd just…" Shaking his head, his skin prickles at the chill that dances down his back. "…I… Can't decide if it's more brave, or more… Sad. But for what it's worth i'm… Glad you got out in a kinder way."

...That's terrifying. She's been just a kid through most of it. To have such dark thoughts to escape all of this... ...I'm a coward, and even i'm too afraid to consider it. ...Fuck, Q'kura. What the hell were you thinking, joining these people, being a part of... This? I... Never wanted this. Too blinded by power, i couldn't see what i'd done... Too high and mighty even to care. ...I'm going to be different. I'm going to change.

".. Stupid, probably." Vex offers a small shrug. ".. I was prepared to jump off the cliff at the Burning Wall when I got cornered that sun, only to discover it fucked with my collar and I could fight back. Then Bexy and one more found us, helped me." She manages a small smile. ".. I appreciate it, Q'kura. And I hope to get you out, as well."

"I… Hope so too. I'll try. If nothing else, i'll promise you that. Mist says i can come here so long as i have an escort -- That is, someone can bring me through the aether to lessen the chance of me being followed. I'll bring news to Matoyan, and… Hopefully, he'll trust me enough to follow me and talk to you."

Vex sinks her head into a nod. "That's good, at least. I know you won't be able to be here too frequently, partially because of Eanwin.. But it's still nice that you can get away from that for a bit." She smiles faintly. "Well.. Matoyan hasn't seen me since Eir and Sayuri's escape, since Grym locked me up afterwards, where I stayed until Ket let me out. So here's hoping he won't ask too much, and will just go for it."

"Here's to hoping…" Q'kura trails, finishing the rest of the half sandwich he'd been given. "And… Trusting, too. Neoma wants to look at my knee a little longer, but once she's done, i shouldn't stay too much longer. Suspicion and people coming looking for me is the very last thing i want, for a vast number of reasons."

Vex glances over to Q'kura's knee, ears folding back. ".. I hope it can be fixed. And yeah, that's.. fair. Really don't need that."

"…I hope so too. But i…" Q'kura sighs, trailing his fingers over the wounded knee beneath the fabric. "…I doubt it. Improved is perhaps the best i can hope for."

Vex frowns weakly, forcing the expression aside shortly thereafter to flash a small grin instead. "Well, if I ever get the chance to, I'll return the favour."

"Hah! I should like to see that!" Q'kura gives a smile of his own, but that too fades just as fast, ears wilting at even the prospect of it. "---From a considerable distance away, perhaps…"

Vex tilts her head, grinning widely. "If anything, hear about it later when another healer has been thrown at the task to fix it."

"…That too, but i'd prefer if neither of us had to encounter that bastard at all. Still, he's likely going to want an explanation for my absence. I'd be tempted to tell him i was avoiding his ill temper, were it not for the backlash i'd undoubtedly get."

"I'll fight him one day. I hope." Vex hums, idly drumming her fingers against her calves. ".. M'yeah, maybe… not say that. Hm.." She lightly rocks from side to side, head tilting. ".. Take a detour to Ul'dah, get some medical supplies?-- If you need them. Fuck do I know, I'm not a healer."

"You know plenty, just not about healing. But yes, perhaps i will. I'm of rank enough that simply telling them i was attending to some personal matters should be enough. None of them bother to ask much about my life anyway. I can use that to my advantage."

Vex offers a quick nod. ".. Sometimes, folks not knowing shite about you is pretty good."

Q'kura nods. "…True enough. I learned a little about you, at least." He makes an attempt to offer a friendly smile. "…You're smarter than you seem." He pauses. "…And you like cheese."

"That's about all there is to me." Vex grins, ears twitching. "I'd like to get to know you better, too. If you're willing."

"…For all my smarts, i can't say i'm terribly interesting. I could bore you to death detailing the inner workings of arcanima and the like. Hm." He nudges his glasses up his nose, once again. "…My favourite colour is green. And i… Also like cheese..?" He's trying.

This conversation is... I don't know. It doesn't feel like i'm trying to justify myself, or she's trying to learn anything to hurt me, it's just... It's... Nice. It's like i have a friend in this world, even if... That's probably a stretch...

His attempt is enough to bring a wide grin to Vex's lips, clearly appreciating it. "Can't say I get much about arcanima, I'd probably barely know how to use aether if it weren't for me learning a little to control my condition better." She hums. "Green is nice, and hey! Liking cheese is very important information."

Q'kura lightly rolls his shoulders. "I like all food. Cheese is one of the better ones." He says with an awkward, faint smile, before he glances over Vex again. "…Condition. You're… Aspected, as it's called in the occasional journal. Others call it misaligned, tainted, corrupted, or cursed. Where i've seen the damage it's done to Bexy and Sayuri both, you seem to get along with your aether… Just fine."

"I haven't found a food I dislike yet either." She pauses, thinning her lips. "… Unless I don't peel oranges but no one told me that." She huffs, but grins. Her head tilts, then sinks into a nod. "Many names for it, most of them negative. And, well.. I guess I haven't reached a point in using it enough. Both Bexy and Sayuri use theirs often, like when they fight.. But I avoided using it for the slavers, and only really started using it against them.." She pauses, shrugging. ".. No clue if it's connected or not, to be honest."

"…It could be. It's not exactly a field people have had much chance to study, considering the ethics of testing." Q'kura gestures vaguely at Vex. "I only know as much as i do because of helping Sayuri. Fascinating subject… If not a little terrifying."

"Yeeah, I don't think most of us would enjoy being tested on.. and judging by all the negative names for us, chances are that many are.. distrusting." Vex idly taps her leg, body swaying in a faint rock from side to side. ".. I was lucky, to land be born to people who still loved me, and thought to teach me to control it better. I know.. Sayuri wasn't." Her ears droop a touch. ".. It'd be interesting to try to find the limit what we can do, but.. I'd also worry about it hurting the one doing it."

"People fear what they don't understand. And… Well, suppose i do understand it and that makes it somehow that much more frightening, but you get what i mean." As she speaks of her family, his ears wilt a little. Rather than speak on it, he simply offers a small, slow nod. "…It would be interesting to observe from a distance. Perhaps--- Perhaps if i'm ever free, if i ever get the chance to become a doctor again… I could try to specialize…"

"..Frightening because you understand it, or because you know that someone with that power is pretty mad at you?" Vex tilts her head. ".. Hey. You're on the list of folks I want to get out. You're getting out." She flashes an awfully confident grin, which slowly fades as she mulls over her next words. ".. Why did you join 'em?"

His ears wilt near immediately. "---Gods, you don't have to remind me. But both. Aether that should by all accounts be deadly, but to people like you it proves anything but. But even then… It alters aspects, be they more obvious like colouration, or less so, like the inner workings of a body." Realising he's half rambling, Q'kura clears his throat, nudging his glasses upwards once again. Though Vex's question seems to have him less at ease. "…I… Well. They… Saw what i could do. For once, i was valued for my knowledge. They offered me a place to live, regular food - I'd never have to miss a meal again - And… Power. Back then, that's all i could have wanted…" "-- Wasn't meant as a reminder, sorry." Vex grimaces. ".. I don't always word things the way I should, but.. I'm working on it." She huffs, one ear lifting as he speaks. ".. I don't even know if I've been altered in any way, kinda hard to tell when you've always had it and it ain't obvious, y'know?" She pauses, tilting her head at Q'kura's answer to her previous question, ears tilting back a touch. ".. For once." She echoed. ".. Were you not.. before? You're, like.. Probably one of the smartest ones in the Compound." There's another small pause, before she continues. "..Granted many of them are real fucking dumb, but.. Even next to those who aren't, you kinda stick out." Her fingers idly drum against her leg, nodding slowly. ".. Not starving is nice. And.. I guess power does have some appeal to.. most, in different situations."

I remember the sun they asked me. My stomach had growled like a coeurl the whole sun, sitting empty for almost a sennight, it was a wonder i could stay conscious. I was... Desperate, but i was hungry. For food, for power. They offered both in spades... How could i have ever refused?

"Perhaps… Though it's not like there's exactly many people to ask. I know Bexy and Sayuri's element is the same, but there even still plenty of differences between them, besides." A small, pained expression brushes over his features, clear discomfort taking his expression. "…No, not really. My tribe, my family were…" He doesn't really finish the sentence, merely crinkles his brow in recollection, before shaking his head. "My mind is all i've ever really had. I wasn't… Just --- Strength is all that mattered, and there was no room for someone like me. When you've spent your whole life answering to people like that, and someone offers you a sliver of power… It was hard to resist. I couldn't."

".. I know there's someone with lightning, but I haven't met 'em myself. Only know that Grym knows of her. Don't know how willing she'd be to chat." Her ears wilt at Q'kura's expression, and then words, head lowering a touch. ".. I'm sorry that's the kind of shit you grew up with. I.. get why you struggled to resist."

Q'kura seems to brighten at the prospect of others to speak with, to study… Before he seems to simmer, somewhat reluctant. "…I don't know. But i think it's best if… I don't drag anyone else into this mess. I already didn't mean to come here. Perhaps if…" He glances to Vex, then. "---When i am free." A small pluck of his shoulders, then. "I knew it was wrong. But i didn't care, back then. I was drunk on power, on authority. I'd not blame people if i was never forgiven. I don't deserve it."

".. I mean. Grym sent folks after her. She's in this mess whether or not she wants to be." Vex shrugs lightly. ".. But, yeah. I haven't met her yet." Her head tilts, and nods sharply at the 'when'. "..If folks weren't deserving of being forgiven, we wouldn't need forgiveness to be a thing. You're far from the worst, and you want to change." She pauses, lofting a brow. ".. Some people are beyond forgiveness. Like Grym, Vairg, Ariq.. But I think you can be forgiven. With Sayuri in particular, it.. will take time. A long time."

"…I do. I didn't think there was a way out, before. Just to keep climbing, and climbing, to ensure i'm not at the bottom. But you escaped; So have others. And i just…" Taking a deep breath, he calms his nerves, some. "…I want to just… Be a doctor. Or something, or someone useful. I want to help, just like i always did." A weak smile is given to Vex, then. "…Thank you for not just… Seeing me like all the rest."

"I did, but not on my own. Neither did the others who got away. Eyja ran into Bexy, who helped her fight off the ones chasing her. Haldahct and Hongorzul fled before the second wave of folks ran after Eir and Sayuri when they escaped, having been a part of the first." She leaned forwards and settled her elbows on her knees, gaze resting upon Q'kura. ".. Climbed, to make sure no one could step on you. Or, well.. A very limited amount of people could." Her head tilts, a small smile settling on her lips. ".. Knowing more about you is helping. I don't think you're a bad person, just.. that you made a stupid decision. And hey, we all do those."

"Oh, and someone did step on me, in a much more literal way than i really, really would have liked…" He takes a sharp breath, which leaves in a disparaged sigh, finally culminating in a nod not too long after. "…No, they didn't escape alone. And… You're already helping me. I'm not alone." Q'kura nods, though his ears are still wilted. "…A catastrophically stupid decision, but… Yes. I… Want to be better. And i'm trying to be…"

".. Yeeeaah.. Vairg just.. really fucking sucks." She huffs. ".. But hey, that's.. someone Sayuri's more mad at than you..? Did bite off two of his fingers.." Vex flashed an almost hesitant smile - she's definitely trying to put a positive spin on it, but has no idea of she's wording it in a way that truly does. "Damn right, you're not alone. And once I've gotten to talk to Matoyan, you'll be even less alone." The grin she gives to this is significantly more confident. ".. I mean, yes. But a worse decision would be not wanting to change, and you do - and you're working on it. Everyone ends up doing something stupid that we regret at some point in our lives. It's if we don't regret it that it's a problem."

"Considering i simply got her Husband captured, and Vairg very nearly killed him, i think you might be right. I did heal him, after all! Several times…" He trails, and opts to stop digging that particular hole, moving on. "…Suppose you're right, about the whole… Regret thing. As soon as i'm back, i'll try to find Matoyan. I'll do it in the mess hall - It would be easy enough that it would look like i'm talking to D'khoreh, which is plausible, and Matoyan isn't usually too far away…"

Vex offers a rapid double nod. "Vairg's definitely higher up on the shitlist." She flashes a smile, nodding. "Considering Matoyan sticks particularly close to both D'khoreh and D'nhehli, it shouldn't be hard to reach him."

"Then… That's what i'll do." Q'kura nods, affirmatively. "…And as soon as i have some sort of arranged meeting and time, i'll be back here to let you know. As soon as i can, anyway. You know how the infirmary is, and we're not exactly replete with healers, at the moment…"

Vex nods, and grimaces faintly. ".. Yeeeah.. Sorry about that. Did hear that Saran found her way back. Cahvi'ra was complaining about something and said her name, the sun, uh… Bexy reminded him why they do not touch Sayuri. So.. That's one healer back, at least?"

"…True. And she's competent. And quiet." Q'kura remarks, though his skin prickles. "…I don't trust her an ilm though. She's Vairg's little lapdog, always bringing him food or whatever else she does during her visits…"

Vex's features scrunch up, ears folding back in disapproval for whatever popped into her head. ".. I never managed to place her. Fuck knows she was around Ariq enough that I should've been able to, but I really couldn't figure out what her deal was." She grimaces slightly, shaking her head. ".. Now she's.. around Vairg. Willingly? Because she has to?"

First Ariq, now Vairg. Maybe she just has a thing for Left Hands. Or powerful men. Or assholes. I don't know. She keeps to her business, i keep to mine. Hopefully, it stays that way.

"No idea. Perhaps she just has a thing for powerful men." Q'kura wrinkles his nose in disgust. "She doesn't seem too upset about it when people confront her. But i have no idea. As long as he doesn't come chasing after her into the infirmary, i don't plan to make it any of my business."

".. Ariq sure had a thing for her, but she didn't give any obvious response. But fuck do I know." She thins her lips, drawing her shoulder into a small shrug. ".. I have no memory of ever seeing her upset, mostly just.. blank. But, fuck knows. If she wants to have shitty taste, then that's her business." She pauses, and despite her previous words she immediately grimaces. "..But really? Vairg? Eugh."

"Taste truly does elude some people." Q'kura grimaces. "I'd rather not think about it. As long as she can do her job." Taking another sigh, he glances out of the window, ears lowering a little. "…Hopefully it isn't too long until i can return with news…"

".. Yup." Vex grimaces, shaking her head. ".. I hope so too. I also hope the others will be able to be around you more without raising suspicion.." She pauses, ears wilting. ".. Being alone.. sucks."

"…I used to enjoy it. Or i told myself i did. Now it's just…" Q'kura sighs, a little melancholy. "…I don't know. But… I've enjoyed our talk, Vex. I mean it."

".. Different, if you choose to be on your own. Being forced to be alone, or just.. feeling alone, sucks." She flashes Q'kura a smile. "As have I. It feels good to have gotten to know you a bit better."

"And… You too, Vex. You're a… Good person." He gives her as much of a smile as he's able, which is more than he gives to most. "…Thank you. For the company. And the sandwich."

"I try to be." Vex beams, unfolding her legs and slipping off the chair, raising her arms into the air to stretch. "And you're welcome! I can always come back somewhat regularly to chat while you're here, if you want. For now, I got something to take care of."

"I'd like that, if we have the time." Q'kura smiles, and offers the very faintest twitch of his ears. "…Be well, Vex." He curls a smile. "Try not to get into too much trouble."

Vex flashes a wide grin, beginning to head for the door. "No promises, but I'll try. See you later, Kura." Soon, she slips out the door, and it gently shuts behind her.

No sooner does the door close, than Q'kura simply stares in the direction of it, unseen from the bed he was sat on. He mouths the sound of the word, 'Kura', eyes quickly welling with tears. Still, he reaches to pull away his glasses and rub at his eyes with a sleeve, though he can't quite help but smile behind it.

She... She... She called me... Kura. She dropped the letter. It's such a silly little thing, Seekers do this all the time, even back when i was a child, but... I... ...That's... The first time anyone's ever done that, for me.

[umbralsound-xiv]

Support.

Having wandered through the Lavender Beds in company of Bexy, the two had now parted as they had reached the gate that led into the garden of the Fellfrost residence. Ice yet clings to her arms, little patches of it having been left along the cobblestones in her wake - now staining the grass too as Sayuri made her way up to the door, pulling out her key to unlock the door - cracking it open just enough for her to slip past it, shoving it shut and locking it the moment she was through.

And Eir had been waiting. He'd spent the last quarter bell pacing, thinking what best to do to make the most of his time to prepare for her return, turning to stand in the middle of the upper floor as soon as he'd heard the door. As soon as she turns to face him, he offers a welcoming smile, though the ice that clung to her arms sees his expression fall a hair. "I… Did not know how you might be feeling when you returned, but… There is food on the table. I ran a bath, and fluffed the pillows and…" He shifts his weight from one foot to the other. "…If there is anything else you might need… You need only ask."

Sayuri held her silence for a moment, gaze flickering around the room before finally seeing its way to Eir. The blank expression she had held for quite some time finally cracks, a nigh sorrowful, hurt look taking to her as she began to approach him, with every intention to dive directly into his arms and lock her own around him.

I knew she would be upset. I wanted to do anything... Anything to take some of the pain away from her shoulders, but... I know it is not always the easiest. At the very least, i could try to make sure she was comfortable.

"Oh, my Moon…" Eir coos as he holds her, wrapped up in his arms as he buries a kiss into her crown. There he holds her, for quite some time, gently cradling her in an embrace until he speaks in a quiet whisper. "…I am here. Here to listen, or here to simply be…" Brows knit in concern, he gives a quiet sigh. "…I take that… It did not go well…?"

She buries her face into his chest, shaking it weakly. She holds that position for a while as she gathers herself enough to speak, her head turning ever so slightly to free her face, pressing her ear against his chest instead. "..Neoma brought him there.." She whispers, her tone definitely holding onto the hurt that her eyes shared.

"…Why? She knows, does she not? Who he is? What he did?" Immediately his fingers lace through her hair, seeking to gently comb through her locks.

".. Said she didn't see his mark.." The sentence is mumbled, carrying some amount of distrust. Her embrace tightens, ears flattening against her skull. "..He's going to talk.. Then Grym will know.."

The information sees Eir draw in a deep breath, exhaling in a sigh. It takes a long little while to reply, giving her a tight squeeze for his own comfort in turn. "…If he does… Even if he knows where you are… They will not let you be taken again. I will not let them." He speaks with such certainty, though it's clear he's somewhat afraid. "…Does he know of our home? Or… Is it just the company…?"

A faint whimper escapes her, head pushing more firmly against him. ".. Just the company.. But now they're in danger, too.." She bites back a sob that lodges itself in her throat, only to immediately break free afterwards.

...I understand her fear. She is safe here, but the company? Our friends? They are strong, yes, but i have seen those in the compound... We have every reason to be worried... But that does not mean i cannot try to soothe her.

"Shh… Shh… This is not your fault. At least they know, yes? It will not be a surprise to them, they can prepare. So many of them already offered their help, and i wager they will again." He says all he can to soothe her, sighing against her hair. "…I am so sorry, Sayuri. It has not been the best of suns…"

A weak sniffle is heard, before she sighs a shaky breath. ".. I am.. so tired.." She whines. ".. So tired of things going wrong.."

"I know. I know. But i am here. Even when everything goes wrong, i will be here, with baths, and food, and fluffy pillows and… Anything else you might need. I… Know that does not fix it…" Eir says with a frown, looking around the room. Food sat on the table still; He'd gone out of his way to prepare her favourite, and even done the dishes before she'd returned.

".. It doesn't fix it.." She mumbles. "..But it makes me feel better.." Sayuri's head gently nudges against his chest, a slow exhale leaving her.

"I… Made unadon?" Eir offers, quietly hopeful. "But it will keep if you are not hungry. I ran a bath, but.. Even if you do not feel like bathing, it at least smells nice, with the things i added. Else, i did laundry, and there is a pair of fresh pyjamas with your name on them, if you want them…?" Slowly combing through her hair, he has no intent to release her.

Her eyes trail to the mentioned food, ears drooping a touch as a soft little 'oh' leaves her. Tears threaten to well up, but she swiftly blinks them away, body almost shrinking a touch against him. "..I--.. I think I just.. want to go lie down.." She mumbles, almost guiltily for all the sweet things he had prepared for her return.

"That is okay. We can lie down… We can just lie down, and be cosy. We can always eat later, or tomorrow…" He walks with her, taking the two bowls on the table, to set into the icebox to keep from spoiling. "…Anything you need of me… Please, just ask." He whispers, turning to face her anew.

...Anything. Anything to make her smile. I promised. I vowed...

Sayuri follows, even if the steps doesn't take him particularly far away from her in the first place. At his whisper, she just reaches for his hand, aiming to grasp it gently, frowning weakly at the ice that coats her own. ".. I just need you.."

"…You have me. You will always have me." Eir takes her hand, thumb tracing over her knuckles and the ice that coats it. "…Always." He whispers, stepping in to sweep her into his arms with a cuddle, lifting her with the intent to carry her away. "…No matter how difficult the sun, or how you are feeling…"

Her arms drape around his shoulders as he sweeps her off her feet, head gently pressing against him as he carries her.

Descending into the lower floor, the entire room smells like lavender; likely from the bath that steamed faintly at the edge of the room. Though, he doesn't pay it too much mind, pushing beneath the curtains where their pillow pile remained, blankets neatly folded and pillows fluffed and arranged. A pair of pyjamas settled nearby. "…I am here, my Moon…" Eir murmurs as he settles down, pulling her into a cuddle.

She murmurs softly, burying herself against him as they sink into the pillow pile, a soft sigh leaving her. ".. I love you." She whispered.

"I love you too… I know it has been a… Rough few suns. But it will get better…" Eir presses a soft kiss to her forehead, tucking her close. "…We still get to wake up together, mm?"

She flashes a weak smile, dragging herself closer. ".. Only reason I haven't lost my mind yet, I think.."

"I would love you anyway, even if you did." He hums, nudging his head against hers. "…And help you look for it."

A half-hearted, almost pained sound resembling a short laugh leaves her at the comment, head returning a soft nudge. "..I'd need the help, I think.."

"Perhaps…" He smiles against her. Though far from tired himself, save for perhaps being a little weary preparing all the pleasantries, he holds her close to his chest, more than prepared for her to doze off. "…Rest if you need to, my Moon… " He kisses her crown again. "…I will be here when you wake…"

She glances up at him, taking a moment to consider before she shuffles herself around to settle herself more comfortably - something she often does in preparation for sleep. Her ears, albeit low, offer a small wiggle in response to the kiss against her crown, eyes slowly shutting while she nudges her head into his chest. Eir gently lids his own gaze as she settles, knowing sleep would soon take her. At the very least, he can take comfort in that she's relaxed enough to do so. Gently stroking her hair, he waits until she drifts off into sleep, his own mind busy with thoughts. He'd already done everything he could think of to make her feel better, with middling success at best. Perhaps something else would come to him…

A bell or two later…

...She has rested, slept atop me in some much needed slumber. I stayed awake to ensure the nightmares wouldn't come for her, combing my fingers through her hair each time until she settled. I had a... Small idea. Sometimes it helps to clear our heads to go somewhere to escape it all. Even for a few moments. But, there was safety and her energy to consider, and we would not want to be far from home on a difficult sun...

Eir shuffles quietly across the floor in the next room, working quietly on his masterpiece. The boxes they'd used to move their belongings into the house had found another purpose; opened out and arranged to make a tiny circle, he'd borrowed the chair from the desk at the far end of the room to give it a little stability and height at one side. All what was left was to find the biggest of blankets; he'd taken every pillow she wasn't touching for the interior, already.

Sayuri stirs, but doesn't quite open her eyes just yet. A particularly weary, heavy sigh leaving her as she clutches onto one of the remaining pillows a little harder, pushing her face against it.

The sound of the sigh is something of a precursor; Eir knows he's running out of time. He sprints up the stairs as fast as he can, waiting only a few moments before he gingerly descends, as though carrying something. A few moments later, a relieved sigh - And the sound of a sheet being unfurled in the air.

---I am almost done, but i can hear her beginning to stir... Just a few finishing touches... ---And the tea!

The thudding of steps up the stairs is certainly enough to pull Sayuri from her sleep, one eye peeling open to peek at her surroundings.. brows furrowing as she definitely notices the lack of pillows around her. "..Eir?" She calls out, quietly - sleepily.

There's no response for a little moment, but he can surely be heard. Shortly after, Eir bursts through the dividing curtains, clearly a little bedraggled and catching his breath. "My Moon!" He greets rosily, before his smile turns a little apologetic. "…Apologies. I did not mean to wake you…"

She offers him a tiny pout as he bursts through the curtain, her second eye slowly opening to join the first. "..Started waking by myself.. You.. ran up the stairs..?"

"W-well… Yes." He glances aside a little guiltily, and opts to kneel before her, clearing his throat before he speaks. "I… Know you have been having a difficult few suns, so… I thought it would be nice to take you on a date." He smiles, all-too-innocently. "…It is not far, and it is new. It has only just recently popped up, in fact…" He briefly glances over his shoulder, turning back with a smile. "…But bookings are incredibly difficult to come by. Only two at a time are allowed, you see…"

She offers a small squint at him, slowly beginning to push herself up to sit, raising a hand to rub the back of her wrist against one eye. ".. Oh..?" She has, clearly, not caught on.

Eir huffs at the small amusement of his sleepy wife, and somewhat bashfully, opens the curtain to reveal his effort. Though it has no discernible entrance from the size of the cloth, a pillow fort made from various cardboard boxes, pillows, a chair and bedsheets sits in the middle of the room. Glancing aside, Eir quietly hopes it isn't too foolish of an idea…

Sayuri gives him a puzzled look, then leans to peek at his creation. It takes a little moment for her sleepy mind to process, but soon a soft laugh follows, lips faintly curled into a smile. She crawls herself over to him, aiming to gently bump her head against him. ".. Dork." She murmurs, smiling and voice brimming with affection.

Eir gives a faint chuckle, simply pleased with the sound of her laugh, head pushed lovingly against her own as she drew near. "…So… You will go on a date with me?" He asks, fluttering his lashes.

"Mmh.." She murmurs, chuckling softly. ".. I'd love to."

Turning his head, Eir settles his forehead to hers, reaching to ever-so-delicately take her hand. "It is only but a short walk away." He manages, as a grin tugs his lips, before he feigns some sort of seriousness. "Ah… And a dress code…" He nudges the pyjamas closer, huffing in amusement. "But we could probably get away with wearing improper attire for the event."

She leans in to softly meet his forehead with a boop of her own, fingers gently curling around his hand. At the mentioning of the dress code, and having the pyjamas nudged closer, Sayuri offers the garments a long look, as if trying to decide whether or not she had the energy to humour him. Fully aware that he's doing this for her sake, she finally offers a weary little smile. "Ah.. One of those very fancy places, I see.." She murmurs, reaching for the pyjamas.

"Indeed, we want to look the part, no?" He laughs, leaning to grab the crumpled up pyjamas he'd fished out for himself, leaving the neatly folded ones for her. "It is famed to be the height of coziness. And the tea they serve tastes home made." He continues the charade, grinning all the while as he moved to change.

A soft laugh leaves her, her mood definitely having improved since she came back. She smiles at Eir's theatrics as she began the clothes changing process.

Clothes soon pulled away and tossed into the laundry hamper, Eir quickly pulls on the pyjamas with a pleased sigh. Only when she is done changing does he offer his hand again, almost as though he was inviting her to a dance, rather than a hastily built pillow fort inside their own home.

Sayuri's own changing takes a little longer, still a little sleepy judging from the small yawn that follows as she drags the shirt over her head. She reaches to grasp onto his offered hand, smiling a little at the gesture.

As soon as the hand is in his, he raises it up, to bring her into a delicate little twirl, ending with her facing away from him, back against his chest as he swooped to peck her on the crown of her head again. "…And here we are. Fort Fellfrost." He chuckles against her hair, reaching to raise the blanket to create an opening. Within, blankets and cushions lined the floor, piled at the base of the chair to create some kind of incline, intended where they'd settle. Though he'd learned from past mistakes - This fort was a little taller, if not by much. A tea tray settled on the seat of the chair, up and away from the floor.

...Perhaps it would be nice to run a little teahouse sometime in my older age. Only, it would mean talking to people i do not know, which is not a favourite pastime of mine. Hm.

She leans back to press against him after the twirl, ears wiggling faintly as he kisses her crown. "Fort Fellfrost.." She echoes with a chuckle. She peers inside, curiously eyeing the interior. ".. Explains where all the pillows went.."

"…I would have taken them all, but… I did not want to disturb you…" Eir admits. He lowers down, to usher her in. "…But i can always take the rest, if you want me to. And anything else you might want, in here, mm?"

"If you want.." She hums, crouching down to make her way inside before dropping into the pillows. ".. I'm happy as long as I have you with me."

"Well, i certainly was not going to leave you here by yourself…" He allows the blanket to fall and cover the entrance, leaving them hidden, as he kneels and slumps face first into the pillows beside her. "Mmf… It is so cosy…" He murmurs, remaining right where he is, for the moment.

Sayuri snickers faintly, rolling to face him and settling her head on the same pillow, pushing her face closer to smooch the side of his head.

A long, slender ear gives a twitch, as Eir rolls to face her with a hum. "Comfy?" He asks, arms open to draw her into an embrace. "I have tea, fruit and biscuits if you want any. And if you would like something lighter, plenty of kisses." He grins.

"Could be comfier.." She murmurs a half-complaint, only to shuffle herself into the embrace and draping her arms around him. "… Much better." She gently boops her head against him. "Mmh.. I'll start light.."

Eir offers her a fond smile, gazing to her adoringly. A hand slowly caresses her cheek, though he doesn't yet move in for a kiss. "I love you, Sayuri…" He whispers, forehead to hers, before moving in to press his lips gently against hers, retreating after a short moment.

Her head tilts into his palm as it caresses her cheek, nudging against him softly. "I love you too, Eir." She murmurs, pushing her head against his and gently meeting his lips with her own.

He settles against her, head to her own, gazing at her quietly with the softest smile. "Another?" He asks, the arm that curled at her back offering an idle caress.

".. Yes please." She whispers back, pushing her head a little more firmly against his. Despite the poor mood she had when she returned home, all her worries seem to have temporarily disappeared within the coziness of Fort Fellfrost.

Eir leans in once again, slowly closing in on her lips once more… Until they curl in amusement, planting a kiss to the tip of her nose as he quickly diverted upwards. A small tilt of his head against the pillow, then. "Another?" He grins.

She gives a small squint, lips forming into a tiny pout as his lips did not meet hers. ".. Hey.." She whined.

...Even in our softer, sweeter moments, i cannot resist but to tease her a little. I know she pouts, but she smiles, too.

"Mm?" Eir bats his lashes again, though the pout she gives him may as well be a magnet, as he quickly pecks her on the lips. "I gave you another kiss, did i not…?" He adds, all-too-innocently.

She's quick to return the peck, but the pout remains. "Not where I wanted it.."

"You will have to be more specific… " He leans again… And this time, plants a smooch on her cheek before she's able to divert him. Whatever he's doing, he seems to find great amusement in it.

She huffs, her hands reaching up to cup his cheeks in an attempt to keep his head still, keeping a pouty look. ".. You know..."

Eir is grabbed, and all it does is pull a laugh out of him, grinning cheek to cheek. "…Perhaps i do. But perhaps i wanted you to grab me like this, first. Plus…" He leans in, delivering another soft, slow kiss to her lips. "..You are very cute when you pout."

She huffs again, but softly meets his lips to return the kiss. Her eyes squint faintly at his comment, her pout increasing - and definitely not aiding the argument about to leave her. ".. Am not cute.."

"Oh gods, no…" He grins wider, stifling a laugh at the ferocity of her pout. "Now you are adorable!"

Her ears lower almost shyly, a small, red tint hinting at embarrassment creeping onto her cheeks. ".. No…"

"…Gods forbid that your Husband thinks you are cute." At the red tint, he desists with the teasing, bundling her up in his arms again, rolling onto his back with her to snuggle against her. He nuzzles his cheek against hers, giving a loving squeeze. "You are a lot of lovely things besides, too…"

She drags herself closer as he bundles her up, clinging to him amidst the movement to simply lay on top of him, nuzzling her head back against his. "Mmh.."

Eir lays back on the pillows, eyes raising to her own as they finally settled. Raising a hand to her cheek, he gently brushes the hair from her face, as the other settled at the curve of her back. "You are beautiful. And pretty, and hot, and cute, and a whole bunch of other descriptions you will not agree with me about, but… That is not what i admire most about you." His gaze hadn't moved from hers, staring almost dreamily upwards. "…You are loyal. Devoted. Not… Just to me. But to everything you believe in. I am simply the lucky man you chose…"

Once again, her head tilts into his palm with a loving nudge, brow lightly arching at him at the abundance of compliments that she… certainly doesn't agree with, and pouts faintly at being called out. ".. I'm loyal to those who are loyal to me." She murmurs.

"…I know that you will be with me, always. That i never need worry about being not… Enough. Not only because you tell me i always am, but… You know me. All my faults and failings, and chose me anyway. Do you know how happy that makes me? How lucky i am…?" Words seemed to burble from his lips, smiling faintly as his eyes became a little glassy. "I will spend every sun for the rest of your life telling you. But not always with words. Sometimes with pancakes in a morning. Sometimes with some far flung picnic that stretches far into the later bells, and beyond. And sometimes… Sometimes it is a little pillow fort in the basement…"

".. I'm not exactly flawless either. Demanding it of anyone else would be unfair.. Besides." She offers a small smile, resting her chin on his chest. ".. Some of the things you consider your own shortcomings, I find charming." Her smile widens a little, head nudging against him. ".. One of my favourite things about you is how gentle you are.. Perhaps because it's a quality I personally lack, but I love that about you."

"I… Am glad…" He smiles softly, and to add to her compliment, gently strokes his hand through her hair. "It… Has always been the case. I have always chosen to be gentle, than fierce. Though that does not mean i am incapable of the opposite, as you know. Just as you are not incapable of being gentle, yourself. You have had to hold so tightly to everything you love, who could blame you for your ferocity? I certainly do not. I love you just the way you are. Ferocity, scars, aether and all. No one person is perfect, but…" His thumb gently caresses her cheek, tracing over her features. "…You are perfect for me."

"To a very limited amount of people.." She reminds, turning her head slightly to peck his thumb. Her ears offer a small wiggle in return to his words, lips curling into a smile. ".. Just as you are for me."

"…I know. I am happy to be one of them. You… Have never really been anything other than gentle with me, barring occasional circumstances. Even when we first met…" The sigh that leaves him at her smile is soft, peaceful, and full of warmth. "…It is so nice, to see you smile…"

A smile. Even on the most difficult of suns, when hardship after hardship is piled onto her shoulders... I will do my best to make her smile.

[umbralsound-xiv]

A Sudden Awakening.

Saran quietly moved down the hall, tray in her hands. For a blessing, she was not accosted by anyone this time - something that had become a slight bit more frequent, but not all too much. Her steps led her up to the door leading to Vairg's room, which she halted outside of and shifted the tray to balance it with one arm, her free hand moving to knock against the wooden door.

From within, there's silence. No sharpening of metal, or the sound of boots on stone; Not even the crackle of a fire. It was known he was at least inside, consider than none had seen him leave… But not even a greeting or order for her to enter is given.

Within, Vairg sleeps, slumped into his favoured armchair, one leg over the chair arm, eyes closed and still clothed from the waist down. Judging from the way a knife scattered on the floor from a loose hand, and a half finished carving had rolled onto the floor before him, he'd not intended to fall asleep…

Saran waits, for quite some time, weighing her options by the lack of a response - halfly wondering whether or not he was testing her. Hesitantly, she pressed down the handle to quietly push the door open and step inside, gaze falling to Vairg's location - as that is where he was usually found.

Vairg lingers in a soundless sleep; The only tell that he's actually alive was the gentle rise and fall of his chest, and a small twitch of his ear. He otherwise doesn't stir, the room of his just as it always was.

She pauses at the sight, glancing down at the tray in her hands before peering back over to the sleeping Viera, quietly pondering to herself before shaking her head. With careful, light steps, Saran makes her way forwards, getting closer and closer whilst holding onto the tray in such a way it wouldn't make any sound while she walked, making her way towards the table next to Vairg where she carefully aimed to set down the tray; forcing her to switch her grip again, making her unable to fully dampen any possible rattle that may emit from it.

---That sound. What--- ---Lijon? Bastard, i'll cut you down, i'll---

The faint footsteps furrow his brow the closer they get to him; Quiet, nowhere near enough to wake any normal person. One eye had begun to open, but the rattle, however little it might have been, was enough to fully wake him. His vision has barely even returned to him, head spinning about his senses as he lunges for the small figure only an arm's length away, grabbing her by the neck to slam her back first into a neighboring wall. Eyes open in a mismatched glare, teeth bared like an angry wolf to the woman in his grasp, he gives a slow squeeze…

Saran's eyes widen as she only truly manages to register being touched before her back slams into the wall, knocking the wind out of her and forcing a gasp. Her hands dart up to grasp Vairg's wrist and hand, legs stretching downwards in some attempt for her feet to find the floor in her newfound elevated state. She stares directly into his glare, a hint of either fear or surprise shimmering in those golden orbs of hers - a slight choking noise leaving her at the squeeze.

...This isn't Lijon. No. I killed him. She's just bringing me food. Just like always. ...Fuck.

Vairg stares, teeth moving away from the mute snarl, back into some angry grit. Eyes searching her own for some kind of reason, some kind of purpose, he's barely even registered the feel of her hands grasping, no doubt able to feel the panicked race of his pulse. The sound of her struggle sees the expression slide from his face, pulling her away from the wall, slowly lowering her until her feet met the floor; releasing her a moment later, head turned away towards the tray of food she'd brought.

Relief washes over her as she's lowered down, feet settling a touch unsteadily on the floor, a deep breath being drawn and exhaled as he releases her throat. "--I--.." Her voice trails, a little hoarse. "..Just wanted.. to leave the food.." She explains, feeling significantly more stressed than she allowed herself to show.

It's a long moment until Vairg himself responds. Still staring at the food, he waits until the situation settles, finally opting to respond. "…You woke me." He states, mismatched gaze slowly moving to settle on hers.

No one has ever been able to get that close while i slept. I don't like that.

".. It was not my intention to, I'm sorry." She shifts her weight from one leg to the other, keeping herself collected. Her gaze rests in Vairg's, not attempting to avoid it whatsoever.

He shifts his gaze from her again. To the door that had hung open a little from her entry; He's quick to move to it, closing it with a firm push of his hand. Slowly, he follows the space between himself, and her. "…You made it quite far into my room before you did, however…" A few heavy steps see him return to her, towering over her as he stared down. "…People don't usually manage to get that close."

She takes a few more steps away from the wall as Vairg moves towards the door, halfly expecting him to usher her out - instead gaining a small pit of dread in her stomach as it's closed and he turns back to her. She quietly watches as he approaches, forcing her head to lean back in order to look at him properly as he towers over her. ".. Most people here are quite noisy, to be fair."

"Most people, yes. But not you." He strides by her, to re-take his seat on his armchair, reaching for whatever piece of food he finds first; a leg of roasted dodo, to his muted delight. "I sleep light, and little. Which means you're quiet. Quieter than most." He takes a bite, gaze not leaving hers for a moment. "Why?"

She turns with him as he walks by, biting back her rising anxiety at the question. ".. Well. I grew up in the Azim Steppe, there are many dangerous creatures there. Considering I have put my abilities in healing rather than fighting, I learned how to move past them without being heard." She half-lies.

It makes sense enough. Someone who can't defend themselves from the beasts had better learn to deal with them another way. With how quiet she is, i can well believe it.

"I don't know much about the Steppe." Vairg states with a huff, slowly working his way through the meal. "Only little things Sukh has told me. Had i found it, heard of it first before i travelled, i might have stayed." Still, he keeps his attention on her. "Why did you leave?"

"You'd probably get along with Sukh's people, at least when it comes to fighting." She notably pauses at his question, chest rising a little as she takes a deep yet subtle breath. ".. I had no reason to stay." In some small attempt to avoid further questions, she tilts her head and offers Vairg a curious look. ".. Why did you leave where you're from?"

"Bored. Lack of challenge. Or enjoyment." His responses came quickly, and didn't seem avoidant, no matter how vague he'd left them. Still, he'd noted her reply, a brow lofted in turn. "Why do you want to know?"

She gave a slow nod in response to his answer, head straightening back up from its tilted position. "Well.. I don't know much about you, and I come see you at least once a sun so the question has been in my mind a few times."

You don't see many Viera outside Golmore and Skatay. More these suns, but still not many. And rarely other men. I always wonder their motives. If they were the same as mine, or they simply were too weak to endure it. Weakness should not be suffered to live. I learned a lot of things as a Wood Warder. But i think that was perhaps the most important.

"When people come to ask me questions, they ask me for their duties. Or permission for things. Or anything else you might think to address to the Left Hand." Finished with the leg of meat, he moves onto the vegetables, cut into long, strips, and roasted; he doesn't seem to regard them with any sort of disdain. "Your inquiries seem a little more… Personal. When i asked you to fetch me food, i'd expected you to do so with a great deal more disdain than you have. But you've been diligent. Obedient. I'm curious as to how much of that is because you'd like to be on my good side. You think being my personal assistant of sorts affords you some kind of greater respect?" He asks, the slow, almost wicked curl of his lips soon following. "I've heard people talking. I know what they say."

"From what I have seen, they also have a tendency to avoid you." She states, drawing her shoulders into a small shrug. "Sure, I'm curious about you, so little is known. And if anything, bringing you food gives me something to do when there are no active duties that requires doing in the infirmary, so I don't mind it." She tilts her head again, emitting an amused huff. "Respect is certainly one of the last things I'm getting, but I can't say I particularly care about what they think. Referring to me as your lapdog seems to makes them happier about their own insignificance."

"Cowards." The insult comes with such disdain, lightly swaying the dangling leg from the sofa. "They avoid me, as though i couldn't find them or summon them to my room at a moment's notice. Not you, though. I could have killed you, just a few moments ago. Pulled you to pieces. Broken your bones. Broken your neck. You didn't even make a move for the door. You don't care about the opinions of others, refusing to stoop to their level." He pauses his meal for a moment, to look over her, giving an uneasily wide smile. "It's interesting."

More people should be like her. To know their worth. To not show cowardice. To not have the endless trample on top of eachother, desperately clawing to the surface so they don't drown. It seems... Beneath her. It probably is.

"They are cowards. And it generally seems like those who avoid you the most are also the ones who insult me, as if it'd somehow insult you. I don't see a lot of logic in that thinking, personally." She gave a small shrug. ".. You could have, and I halfly expected it for a moment." There's a pause. "..And very much appreciate that you didn't." She adds, then. "I'll usually give a comment or two in return to them, but mostly to annoy them rather than that it offends me." The last words that leave Vairg prompts Saran to tilt her head a little further, an unseen dread gripping her at the comment. "Is it?"

"It is." Vairg notes, eyes settling on her observantly. "Most people who dip their toes into the compound aren't. Content to do as they please, consider themselves better than others… Until they meet someone they won't stand up against. Then, they're just like all the rest. But you don't do that." He reaches towards her, a hand slowly beckoning for her to draw closer, then…

".. And the rare few, who try to stand up against the said person… and fails miserably. Lives to regret it. If they're lucky." Her gaze sinks to the motioning hand to register the beckon, to which she approaches. ".. I do not." She confirms.

"No. You don't. I wonder. I had asked this question not all too long ago to someone. He gave me the answer i expected…" As soon as Saran closes the gap between them, Vairg immediately reaches for her, curling his hand around her horn to pull her closer, ilms from his face, mismatched eyes staring at her with intent as he smirked. "Are you afraid of me?"

I wonder. If she is, she excels at hiding it. And if she isn't... It doesn't happen often.

Saran staggers at the pull, a hand reaching to settle against the armchair's armrest automatically in an attempt to keep herself from falling - despite the fact that she wouldn't, brows furrowing ever so slightly and gaze locking upon him as she had once again been placed in a position so uncomfortably close to him. She simply stared at him for a moment, a slow exhale leaving her nose. ".. Is there a correct response to that question?"

Her question in kind has him bark a laugh, a genuine laugh, furnishing her with a grin at his response. "And in your question, i find my answer." He doesn't yet let go, gaze lidded in amusement as she stared. "I don't think you are."

She didn't even flinch! She knows i could snap her like a twig, break her neck, at yet... She's not afraid. She isn't like the others. Perhaps i chose my "lapdog" well. Though i suppose i'd find some fun kicking around some pathetic weakling who cowered from my every look, i'd grow bored eventually. No, this is much, much more interesting.

She'd tilt her head, if she could. ".. I respect you." She opts to say. "I don't necessarily fear you.. but I am also incredibly aware that you could kill me with ease, if you wanted to."

"I could." Vairg confirms. His fingers trace over the curve of her horn, eventually releasing her with a sigh. "You respect what i'm capable of. But you don't let that frighten you." He tilts his head to her, leaning close. "Interesting."

Her gaze shifts over to the hand that traces along her own, peeling back to his own before pushing herself up to stand upright once more as he releases her. Her head sinks into a nod at his words, tilting. ".. Am I interesting, or are the others simply not interesting enough?"

"Both. You're interesting, and the rest are dull in comparison. Power hungry idiots desperate to get a slice of authority, trampling over eachother like frightened buffalo. There's the occasional person that doesn't subscribe to it, who stands out from the rest, but…" He lightly drums the fingers of his good hand on the side of the sofa. "…Not many."

".. I will take that as a compliment." There's the smallest curl of Saran's lips to suggest a smile, before her head shifts from side to side. ".. They do have a tendency to batter each other in an attempt to prove points to others, and leave the healers to patch up their stupidity."

"I suppose it gets tedious, after a while. When i bring someone to harm, it's for a reason…" He moves onto dessert, a slice of sugary tart, which he eats with some indifference. "…Usually."

"Considering the amount of people who doesn't know when to keep their mouths shut, I don't doubt that." A small shrug is given, Saran is well aware that some poor bastards are definitely too mouthy for their own good.

"A few too many." Vairg remarks, sighing once he'd finished the slice, reclining back into the chair. "If i don't answer the door in future, leave my food outside. Better for both of us, wouldn't you agree?"

Saran sank her head into a nod. "I will keep that in mind for next time."

"Good." He watches her through heavy eyes, slightly swaying his foot. "…You can leave whenever you want."

Saran flashes a small smile and sinks her head into a nod. "I will leave you to your rest." She speaks, before beginning to head for the door - hoping to sound a little bit more considerate than make her seem a touch too quick to pick up on the offer to leave.

"Mm." Vairg murmurs, watching as she departs. As the door closes behind her, it isn't long until sleep finds him again.

Interesting.

[umbralsound-xiv]

Bonds And Brothers

"I'd got back to the company house after a job, and figured i'd go see if Auro'usk or Gyordon had made something to eat, when i saw a familiar face in the basement!

It was Dusk again, the same man i'd met a little while ago in Buscarron's Druthers, and a fellow adventurer... And so i found out, he actually worked here, too!

I guess we missed eachother, but y'know, we're always a busy lot, here! We caught up, and got to learn more about eachother, and he told me of some of the adventures he's been on!

It was fun! I hope we bump into eachother again, sometime!"

[umbralsound-xiv]

Innocent Mistakes.

Hunched into a ball, the rain pelts down onto the coat of a curled up Seeker, one leg outstretched as he rested his head on the knee of the other. A staff settled on the rock nearby, ears wilted as he barely moved save for uneasy shudders as he bit back sobs. Not even seeking shelter from the torrent of rain, he seems far too defeated to contend it.

[Q'kura] It never gets any better, does it? Even when i try to find some kind of... Peace, something always ruins it. The rain, my knee, or that bastard that broke it in the first place. Everything feels like a punishment, but then... After everything... Don't i deserve it?

With the dangers associated visiting the eastern parts of Thanalan, Neoma had made sure to gear up for any potential threats, even if she hoped she could avoid any confrontations. She made sure to stay clear of the area where Grym's compound was located, keeping close to the road that lead back to the Shroud. Thankfully what she was looking for was not difficult to find as the desert marigold flowers were so vibrant against the sand. While bending down to pluck some, she noticed the shape of someone sitting by the water. It caused her to be somewhat wary, but at the same time curious. She decided to carefully approach, getting concerned that perhaps the person was wounded. "Hello? Are you alright?"

Q'kura Tia pulls his head up with a gasp, blinking back tears, which he quickly raises his arm to wipe away from beneath his glasses; Though his sleeve is just as sodden from the rain as the rest of him. "H-hello? Yes. Yes, i'm fine, i'm…" He squints, trying to make out the woman who called to him. His face is red. He doesn't look fine, ears pinned flat against his head.

The way the man was acting along with the unsteady way he was speaking only made Neoma further concerned. She started to carefully make her way down the cliffs that had gotten quite slippery because of the rain. "Don't be alarmed, I'm coming down. I'm a healer, I just want to make sure you're okay."

[Q'kura] ---What? I... I didn't expect company out here, on a sun with miserable weather like this. What... Is she planning to do?

Q'kura Tia blinks as the woman approaches, shuffling back a few ilms to take his staff in hand. "N-no! I'm fine, i'm just… It's just…" His lower lip trembles, but he swallows back the expression. "A… Healer?"

Neoma Eltanin continued to carefully slide down the cliff, giving him a soft smile to try and further ease him. "Yes, I am. I was collecting desert marigolds when I saw you, and got worried." Finally she reached the rock he was sitting on and she carefully got down on her knees next to him. "You're completely soaked… Have you been sitting here a long time?"

Q'kura Tia: "I---I…" Q'kura wrinkles his nose beneath his glasses, nudging them upwards as his eyes well again. "I came to read, to get away for a little and it… It just started raining--- And i can't walk fast because of my -stupid- knee, and the cold makes it worse, and i'm just… I can't fix it…" The more Q'kura babbles, the more it's evident he's only just hanging in from breaking down completely. "I came to read, and then the blasted rain came and soaked my book, and now i can't even do -that-!"

Neoma Eltanin gave the man a worried look, clearly he was distressed. "Hey, hey…" she softly tried to soothe him and scooted a little closer. "I'll help you, okay? Is your knee wounded? I could have a look at it."

Q'kura Tia: "Unless you're a better healer than me, i… I don't think there's anything you can do. It… Was damaged badly." He lightly lifts the cane. "…I tried. This isn't just for decoration. Or walking…" He huffs, quietly.

[Q'kura] It's nice of her, it really is, but it's not often i meet a healer who can surpass my talents, least of all out here in the wilderness. Still... What harm could trying do? ...At least she's kind. I don't think she's up to anything suspicious...

Neoma Eltanin glanced at the cane, then the leg that seemed to be the one with the injured knee. "… I take it you have already examined it. Is it an old injury?"

Q'kura Tia: "…Less than a moon, but… Yes. Suppose i should be lucky i can still walk…" Q'kura utters bitterly, though he frowns. "It still hurts, yet no amount of aether seems to soothe it. Like a constant, niggling ache…"

Neoma Eltanin studied his expression before her gaze fell to his leg again. "… May I have a look? Perhaps if I knew the extents of your injury I could do something to help… Is it alright if I feel it just with my hand?"

Q'kura Tia clutches the staff a little tighter. "…Why do you want to help me?" He asks, more than a little guarded. "I don't have anything to give you."

Neoma Eltanin: "You don't have to give me anything," Neoma said with a warm smile. "I'm not a healer because I want to gain. I want to give. And right now, you look like you are in more need than me… So may I help you?"

Q'kura Tia gives a small, almost defeated sigh from his nose, looking away. "Just… Be careful. It really does hurt. I… Repaired what i could…" He swallows, anxiously. "…What was left."

Neoma Eltanin nodded. "I'll be careful. I'm going to feel around your knee with my hand, it probably will cause pain and discomfort. I'll try make it quick." She then reached out her hand and gently placed it upon his knee, getting a feel of the injury through the cloth by moving her hand up and down and carefully squeezing now and then. "… Missing bone fragments…" she mumbled, mostly to herself.

Q'kura Tia hisses in pain, wincing, but he doesn't pull away nor ask her to stop. Still, although she's able to feel the extent of the injury, she's also likely to feel the extent of the repair, too; Clearly talented, though unable to repair that which no longer existed. "…It was broken bad enough that bone left skin. I had to concentrate on stopping the bleeding, first…"

Neoma Eltanin: "Gods… I understand why you have been unable to repair it." She lifted her hand and rested it back in her own lap. "It is an extremely severe injury, but I can tell you did what you could to fix it. It would probably require surgery to lessen the pain and improve your walk quite a bit…" She lifted her hand to pinch her chin as she considered her own words. "… Ah, forgive me, I have yet to introduce myself. My name is Neoma Eltanin. What should I call you?"

Q'kura Tia: "Just call me Q'kura." He answers, brow furrowing. "Well, it's not exactly like i can simply cut open my knee and start poking about in there with a scalpel! Or, well, i could, but…" A grimace takes his expression, wincing at even the thought of it.

Neoma Eltanin: "Ah- no no, not here..!" she stressed. "Do you… have someplace to go? Somewhere you know you can get help? I could get you there if you like."

[Q'kura] No one would help me, there. I'd be a waste of resources, even with my position. I can walk. That's all that matters to them. And no one would risk pissing off Vairg even further by mending my injury...

Q'kura Tia: "Oh yes, because performing surgery in damp clothes in the middle of the desert is a -wonderful- idea…" He trails, rolling his eyes. Though, a small pang of guilt rises in the back of his throat. "I… Sorry. I've just had… It's been a really, really bad sun…" He dips his head in apology, shaking his head. "…Hah, no. No… No one that wants to help me, there. I… I'll be fine. I walked here, didn't i?" He adds, in a touch of optimism that falls a little flat.

The comment only made Neoma more worried, evident by the way she was looking at him with compassionate eyes. "I see…" She got quiet for a moment, glancing again at his knee as she pondered her thoughts. "… Then, would you like to come with me? I have access to an infirmary I work in. I understand that you probably do not trust me as we just met… But right now you look like you are in need of someone, Q'kura. We have exchanged names, at the very least."

Q'kura Tia: "With… You?" Q'kura asks, a little unsure, and almost bewildered. "Are you -certain-? You have a whole infirmary? What, all to yourself? I… I couldn't--- I mean…" At the comment of him needing someone, his ears lower, admission writ plain on his face. "It.. It… Would be nice to have somewhere quiet, f-for a change…"

[Q'kura] It sounds like a joke. Like a trap. When is anything ever this good, for me? ...Though, i can't imagine it could get much worse. Sure. Why not?

Neoma Eltanin smiled reassuringly at him and nodded. "I am part of a staff of healers, but I tend to be one of the more frequent users of the infirmary for patients. It is located within the Shroud, near Gridania. Have you ever been to Gridania?" She looked over her shoulder at the wet cliffs leading to the ground above them. "We can get there by walking along the path through the Shrouds, but it might be too hard on your leg… Are you familiar with teleportation magicks? I could get us there quick."

Q'kura Tia: "…I can teleport, yes. And i've frequented Gridania before. What kind of healer would i be without some passing familiarity with the Conjurer's guild? ---Though i'm more talented with arcanima, it's… Hard, to try to walk and focus on a grimoire. At least with a staff, i can defend myself if i have to…"

Neoma Eltanin: "Ah, of course," Neoma said with a soft laugh. "Well then, it should be easy. Take my hand, I'll get us to where we need to go." She held out her hand for him to take, waiting patiently for him to feel ready.

Q'kura Tia: "…Okay." Q'kura replies, taking her hand, and his staff in the other, ready to brace himself when he inevitably appeared on the other end.

Neoma Eltanin smiled at him when he took her hand before closing her eyes, conjuring a teleportation spell that soon saw them swooped up into the stream of aether until they arrived in front of the Merciful Bough.

[Q'kura] There's something to be said for Shroud air. It's always so much more refreshing that the dusty dry hear of Thanalan. It feels less... Hostile.

Q'kura Tia firmly finds his feet as he reappears through the aether, Neoma's hand in one, and his staff firmly stuck into the floor with the other. "…This is… Quite the house. You say you're all healers…?"

Neoma Eltanin: "Ah no, there are many different positions here. Fighters, healers, retainers, and so on. I've been here for quite some time and it is like home to me now. You'll be safe here, don't worry. Come." She tugged his hand a little to urge him to follow, letting him decide when he felt comfortable enough to let go.

Q'kura Tia follows along comfortably enough, though he has a pronounced limp, staff aiding in keeping him aloft. "…Quite the eclectic group of people. I wager you've seen quite some injuries in your time here, hm?"

Neoma Eltanin opened the door to let herself and Q'kura in, greeting Naino who stood by the door as usual. "Quite some, yes. Both while employed here and when I was a traveling adventurer. The infirmary is this way, not much further now."

Q'kura Tia widens his eyes in awe at the surroundings, slowing a little as he walked through the lobby. To the fish tank, and the insignia beneath the waterfall, he has to blink back the adjustment in his eyes for how bright it is. "It… All looks very official. What do your people do, here…?"

[Q'kura] It's so... Nice. Clean and comfortable. ...Things like this only make me regret my decisions, more.

Neoma Eltanin stopped in her steps to allow Q'kura to adjust to the environment. She smiled gently at him as she observed his reaction. "We're mercenaries, taking on jobs for hire that requires capable people within different fields of expertise. It looks like this was not what you were expecting to see?"

Q'kura Tia: "Well… No, actually. It's… Different, than what i'm used to. I wouldn't expect a hall of mercenaries to be so clean, but suppose looks can be deceiving."

Neoma Eltanin laughs, a light and warm laugh that fits her smile. "If we do not keep it clean Naino will reprimand us all." She smiled to Naino over his shoulder, waving a little to apologize for the joke. "Do you feel ready to continue to the infirmary?"

Q'kura Tia: "Yes, of course. I'm curious to your facilities, if this is just the lobby…"

Neoma Eltanin lead the way through the wooden corridors until they reached the infirmary, opening the door for them both to enter. "And this is the infirmary, where I work most often." She turned around to see how Q'kura was doing, quietly watching him and letting him take in the new environment.

Q'kura Tia: "It's so… Cosy." He looks around, taking a few steps to familiarize himself. "…And clean. And well organised, and… So… Quiet." He turns his head over his shoulder, giving a faint hint of a smile. "That's a good thing, by the way."

[Q'kura] Anything is better than the din of Eanwin yelling at everyone over stupid, trivial things. I'm surprised we don't have more treatments for hearing loss.

Neoma Eltanin smiled, genuinely pleased to hear his satisfaction. "I'm glad you like it. Let's get you out of that wet coat, now. We have spare clothes to use if you want to change."

Q'kura Tia unbuckles and unbuttons his coat, sliding his arms out of the sleeves with a sigh. "…No, this… This is fine. Far better for being a little drier, hah…" He already looks a little more relaxed, though hair sticks to his cheeks from the earlier downpour. "…This is… This is very kind of you. Neoma, was it?" He finally offers her a more genuine smile. "…Thank you."

Neoma Eltanin takes the coat and smiles at him before hanging it to dry. "No need to thank me, Q'kura. I'm happy that you trusted me enough to follow me here. I was genuinely worried seeing you sitting there in the rain all by yourself…" She gestured to the empty beds. "We don't have any patients here at the moment, so please choose whichever bed looks most comfortable. I'll prepare you some soothing potions to help you relax and for the pain to dull."

Q'kura Tia: "You have already done so much for me, you don't need to---" He winces a little as the cold still bit into his knee from his sodden clothes, but they'd dry out with time. He limps to the nearest bed, to at least take the weight from his feet. "It's nice to have the company of a fellow healer. Are there many of you, here?"

[Q'kura] Healers. Actual healers, who know their job and respect others of their standing. Maybe... Maybe i could... ...No. You made your choice. You can't leave.

Q'kura wincing was enough of a sign for Neoma to get to work preparing the potions. "There's a few of us, not as many as would be needed to keep up with the injuries sustained on missions… But everyone here is very good at what they do. My colleagues are some of the most talented healers I have ever seen." She walked over to Q'kura with two bottles of potions, handing them to him. "I'm always happy to meet other healers. Are you an adventurer or are you employed somewhere as well?"

Q'kura Tia: "Hah, there's never enough of us, true enough. Forever in short supply… And high demand." He brightens at the potions, taking both and opening the cork on one and downing the contents with little complaint. "I'm employed, yes. I work in the trade industry. Adventuring sounds exciting but… A little dangerous?"

Neoma Eltanin took the empty vials, glad Q'kura didn't object to drinking them like so many of her other patients were wont to do. "It is dangerous… and exciting." She smiled. "I quite like traveling and helping where it is needed, I still do from time to time. Trading industry, you say? I can imagine you must be quite busy." Neoma glanced at his leg for a moment. "I'll let you settle in a bit before we take a look at your leg. Are you hungry? I could get you something from the kitchen."

Q'kura Tia: "Yes, yes. Quite busy. Tiresome, too, but--- Adventuring sounds much more fun than the dreary bells that fill my suns." He looks around the room in some small appraisal, exhaling slowly as he found some semblance of peace - Head whipped almost too quickly in Neoma's direction at the mention of food. "---I…" Even he can't protest, head sinking a little in his shoulders. "…Yes please."

[Q'kura] How could i have refused...? I was hungry, and who knows what time i might be getting back to the compound...?

Neoma Eltanin laughed softly and nodded. "Alright, I'll get you something filling. Try to rest in the meantime and warm up, okay? I can assure you the blankets are very soft." Giving him a final kind smile she soon headed out of the infirmary towards the kitchen, hoping that Auro'usk had made something that would be a suitable meal for Q'kura.

Neoma Eltanin smiles at you.

S'vexrha Tchuma quietly pushes the door open, peering around the corner of the door with a small squint before slipping inside. Her gaze trails to the medical supplies before she heads in that direction, glimpsing someone in the corner of her eye as she moves, briefly glancing over to register who before she continues, her words leaving her automatically. "Hi Q'kura." Her steps lead her up to one of the cabinets, before her mind completely registers who she just saw, and she slowly turns to stare in Q'kura's direction.

Q'kura Tia twitches an ear at the sound of the door. He'd expected Neoma to return, and thought to offer a smile in gratitude; She'd been kind of him, of course, and the offer of food was something he wouldn't soon turn away. Though, as another familiar Seeker wanders in, Q'kura's eyes widen, leaning back in almost abject horror. He doesn't say anything, just a strangled squeak leaves his throat. If he were a more mobile man, he'd have surely tried to run. "….V… -Vex-?"

[Q'kura] Wh... What? Vex? Why is she... Oh... No. No no no...

S'vexrha Tchuma 's lips thin into a line, eyes fluttering in a rapid blinking motion a couple of times. "…What the fuck are you doing here?"

Q'kura Tia: "I--- U-uh… I'm…" Q'kura stammers. He makes some attempt to stand, heart beginning to race, panic on his features as he departs the bed. "I'm--- I was just---" He clears his throat, eyes narrowing an ilm. "What are -you- doing here, hm?!"

[Q'kura] I--- I have to go! I have to leave! Wherever Vex is, Sayuri and Bexy aren't usually far behind, and if they see me--- If they--- What is Vex doing here?!

S'vexrha Tchuma: ".. I -live- here." Vex pouts, her own eyes narrowing as she takes a few steps closer to Q'kura, eyes darting along him. "..Why are you wet?"

Q'kura Tia: "You---" That little thread of knowledge sees him step back, away from her, somewhat fearful as his ears folk back. "No… No no." Stepping back towards the bed in an effort to retrieve his staff, he stumbles. sending him backwards into the floor with a thud. "---You can't--- I--- I have to go---!"

[Q'kura] She LIVES here?! Oh Gods, what have i gotten myself into? I only meant to come here, to accept this woman's kindness, not to--- not to find them! They're going to think it was on purpose, that i'm trying to track them down, but it's not! It's a mistake!

You cringe with pain before S'vexrha Tchuma.

S'vexrha Tchuma's ears pin back as Q'kura falls, her steps quickly bringing her up to him - arm stretched out to offer a hand. ".. Fuck, easy.-- Uh.. n-.. no. I.. can't let you, you realise that, yeah..?"

It was right then that Neoma entered the infirmary, carrying a tray with a plate of food and a drink. She blinked surprised as she had not expected to see Vex in the infirmary today. "Oh, Vex! It's good to see you. Is everything well?" Her eyes shifted over to Q'kura, still the same friendly look on her face as always though she did look a bit confused. "Are you alright, Q'kura? Goodness, did you fall out of the bed?" She went to set the tray by the bed where he could easily reach it.

Q'kura Tia hisses and buckles with pain, clutching his wounded knee as he's almost doubled over with pain. The offered hand he doesn't take, but not out of any want to not be helped. Already far, far past breaking point, it's simply the icing on the cake with the words that leave Vex. "Vex, -please-! I… I have to! She'll kill me! You know she will!" Tears already fill his gaze, lip trembling as Neoma pulls into view. "I--I--- I have to go! I'm sorry, but--- I can't stay!" He babbles out, trying to reach for the bed, though he'd not the strength to pull himself up.

[Q'kura] She knows Vex, she knows the others... Vex... She's not lying, and i'm in incredible danger if they find me here--- She has to let me go! They'll kill me if she doesn't!

S'vexrha Tchuma's ear turns upon hearing Neoma's voice, peering over her shoulder to blink at her. "… Hi--.." Her eyes dart back to Q'kura, head shaking slightly. ".. She won't. You still got your part to fulfil, yeah?" Her ears flatten at the sight of Q'kura's tears, and despite her previous words, she still aims to help; moving to hook her arms underneath his in an attempt to help lift him up to at least get onto the bed. "--Can't go. I'm sorry."

The apparent distress in Q'kura's voice immediately got Neoma on high alert, quickly moving around Vex to get on her knees by his side and try to calm him, perplexed by the fear in his expression. "Q'kura, what is the matter? What happened?" She looked between him and Vex, trying to understand what was going on. "Do you two know each other..?"

Q'kura Tia: "S-she's---! We used to---!" Half sentences given in favour of a proper explanation, he winces in pain as he's lifted to sit again on the bed by Vex. Teary eyed and ears pinned to the back of his head, he sounds like he's about to hyperventilate. "---I can't-- I can't----!" He half sobs, terror lacing his tone, hands hiding his face in grief.

[Q'kura] I'm going to die. They're going to kill me here. Someone's going to tell them, and they're going to come and kill me. Nothing ever goes right for me! All i wanted was... Was something nice...

S'vexrha Tchuma's lips thin into a line, gaze trailing over to Neoma, brows furrowing at her question. Peering back to Q'kura, she realises his hair covers the mark she knows is present, a deep breath being exhaled through his nose. ".. Yeah. He's.. one of Grym's."

Neoma Eltanin turned to stare in shock at Vex when she confirmed his identity. So focused had Neoma been to help him that she had not noticed the mark. "…" Her eyes fell upon Q'kura again, watching with worried eyes as she could see he was near a panic attack. Pursing her lips, she decided to try and comfort him still. She got on the bed by his side and gently put an arm around his shoulders. "Q'kura, breathe… Inhale, and… Exhale… And again…" She spoke softly to try and soothe him.

At that, Q'kura simply bursts into tears. It's not a quiet, mournful sort of weeping, but the full bodied, distraught shudder that was barely controllable. He leans into the arm around his shoulder, sobbing into his hands. Only after he's had a good long moment of crying, does he heed her advice, slowing his breathing.

S'vexrha Tchuma raises a hand to the back of her neck, awkwardly rubbing at it as she shifts her weight from one leg to the other.

Neoma Eltanin kept demonstrating for Q'kura how he should breathe, taking slow and deep breaths as she continued rubbing his shoulder for comfort. As she studied his face a little closer she could indeed see the same red mark that branded Vex's cheek… The red mark she had been told to look out for. But right now what she saw first of all was a terrified man crying for help. "Q'kura… I think I understand where you are from. But that doesn't matter right now. You are my patient, first of all."

Q'kura Tia: "Y-you… You know? You know where i'm from, and… And what i was… A-am… A part of…?" He blinks, teary eyed behind his glasses. "A-and you s-still… W-want to…" It sets him off crying all over again, though he recovers much more quickly, this time. Ears pinned back, he looks to Vex, swallowing a lump in his throat. "Vex, -please-. Y-you have to let me go, i… I swear i won't tell anyone… I… I didn't know. I didn't know…"

S'vexrha Tchuma arches a brow at Neoma's words, lips thinning a little further before her gaze trails back to Q'kura. ".. Q'kura, you blabber your head off when you get stressed, whether or not you want to.. Right person stress you out back at the Compound? Sayuri's fucked."

Neoma Eltanin: "No one is going to hurt you, Q'kura. I give you my word on that. I know them, I will talk to them." The arm remained around Q'kura to help him relax as she turned to Vex. "I'm… sorry that I seem to have been causing a bit of a mess. I understand you must feel quite shocked, Vex…"

Q'kura Tia: "Neoma… Neoma promise me. Promise me you won't let them hurt me…" He looks to her, big sad eyes blinking back tears. He doesn't move from her embrace, though turns his attention to Vex. "…S-so you're saying i can't leave…?" Another pause, before horror takes his expression again. "---No! Please don't let them put me back in there! I--- I don't want to go in the dark again! Vex!" His voice trembled, hands clutching the mattress. "I--- I'm scared of the dark… I… I c-can't do that…"

Q'kura Tia: "N-not again. -Please…-."

[Q'kura] N-not in the cell, please not in there! It was so dark, and i could barely move... I thought i was never going to leave, that i was going to die in there, and now... Now they want me to go back?! No! Please, Neoma. Please don't let them hurt me, please...

S'vexrha Tchuma: "… I wouldn't be so quick on that promise." She glances over to Neoma. ".. Q'kura here is.. -kinda- the reason for Eir and Sayuri's captivity.. And something I've learned about Sayuri.. she holds grudges." She shoves her hands into her pockets, idly rocking back and forth on her heels. "… You still got your part to do. That's.. probably the one thing that'll keep her from killing you.. Probably. As for what Bexy will do.. I.. can't tell."

Neoma Eltanin had a very determined look on her face as she responded to Vex. "I am not saying I am absolving Q'kura of whatever crimes he may have committed. But right now, he is my patient, and under my care. I won't see any harm being done upon him." Her gaze lingered a bit on Vex before she turned to Q'kura. "I said that you have my word, Q'kura. You still do. I promise that no one here will hurt you."

Q'kura Tia: "I -know-!" Q'kura half yells at Vex. "I fucked up, and i know… I know that i did something… Horrible…" His skin prickles even at the idea of those two icy Miqo'te being in the same room as him. "I… I'm trying, Vex. I… I -want- to, but i… I don't know how…" He glances to Neoma, tension seeming to ease a little. "Do… Do you know them…?"

S'vexrha Tchuma: "--Patient?" Vex raises her brow at Neoma, only to peer back at Q'kura. "-- Hey, don't yell at -me-. I don't want to murder you." Her ears pin back a touch.

Neoma Eltanin: "I know them. You mean Bexy and Sayuri, right? I am good friends with them, I can talk to them." To Vex's question, she nodded. "He has a knee injury that is pretty bad… I was hoping I could do something about it here."

Q'kura Tia: "…Sorry." His ears fold back a little, the word a little quieter, intended for Vex. The reassurance that at least two people here don't want him dead seems to settle him, somewhat. "…I… I hope they'll listen to you. Just… Please. Don't… Don't put me in that room again…" He whispers. The mention of his knee makes him fall silent for a moment, hand reaching subconsciously to his staff for comfort.

S'vexrha Tchuma's ears droop, a glimpse of concern falling over her features as she peers down towards Q'kura's knee. ".. What happened?" Her gaze lifts, lips curling into a faint smile. ".. Hey, you can't help the others locked in there.. I'm sure it'll be fine.."

Neoma Eltanin: "You can stay here in the infirmary, don't worry." The genuine fear Q'kura displayed hinted at severe trauma, causing Neoma to frown in concern. She knew how ruthless Bexy could be to those not on her good side. As Vex asked about the knee, she remained silent, wanting to hear the answer as well.

Q'kura Tia: "…Vairg. Vairg happened." Q'kura almost whispers; as though the man himself was lingering close enough to hear. "I… I was told to look for a small group of ours who'd gone missing, not so long ago. We… We found them, alright. Your handiwork, i believe." He inclines his head, peering over his glasses. "…And Bexy's. Cahvi'ra's wounds were so bad, not even -i- was able to save him. Vairg told me to look, and i… I didn't want to be the bearer of bad news, so i told someone else to do it-- And… He came for me. He… He punished me for not telling him, myself. He…" Those tears well anew, averting his gaze as his ears flattened to his head. "…He broke my leg. Not… Like he usually does. He… Crushed it. Th-there wasn't anything left to put back together, but… I… I tried…"

[Q'kura] I've healed enough of that bastard's broken bones on other people that i aught to know what they look like. But no, he made a... Special effort, with me, to ensure i'd never be able to fix it even with my considerable talents...

S'vexrha Tchuma offers a small frown at the name, the sigh that follows is certainly not a surprised one. ".. Yeah, well. Cahvi'ra shouldn't have planted an arrow in Sayuri. Kinda pissed Bexy off." She huffs. ".. Did hear him mention Saran, which.. is a name I haven't heard in a while." She pauses as Q'kura keeps speaking, ears flattening a little further. ".. Fuck. I-.. I'm sorry.. Gods, that bastard fucking sucks.."

Neoma Eltanin recognized the name 'Vairg'. She had seen it mentioned in the records regarding the compound. Worried eyes studied Q'kura's face, then his knee. "This… 'Vairg' is quite dangerous, right Vex? I recognize the name."

Q'kura Tia: "He's… He's only getting worse, Vex. Ever since they made him left hand… He's killed people. -Our- people!" Q'kura pats his chest, clutching the fabric. Brows furrowed, he looks to Neoma, then. "…Whatever you've heard of him, it's… It's worse."

S'vexrha Tchuma glanced to Neoma, offering a nod to confirm her question before peering back to Q'kura. ".. Has he-.." Her voice trails, seeming a touch uncertain with how to word her question, shuffling on the spot as she pins back her ears. ".. Has he hurt any of the distrusted..?"

Neoma Eltanin remained quiet for now, listening to what Vex and Q'kura had to tell. Any information about the threats of the compound was valuable.

Q'kura Tia: "…He… No. They know to stay out of his way, which is more than i can say for some of the others. But… No. They… Haven't been hurt by -him-, at least…" Q'kura's gaze flees away, swallowing a small lump in his throat.

S'vexrha Tchuma's eyes narrow, the smallest flicker of a flame curls along her jaw. ".. But someone has been hurt, judging by your answer.."

Neoma Eltanin looked at Vex with concern, noticing the anxious flame. "… You had friends in the compound, right Vex?"

Q'kura Tia lowers his ears somehow further at Neoma's words, allowing a long, uncomfortable silence to hang. "…Matoyan." Q'kura manages, glancing up to Vex. "…He… He was blamed for your escape. They think he did it. He's--- He's okay. I…" He swallows the pang of anxiety, once again. "…I made sure."

[Q'kura] He's never been unkind to me, but we've not exactly been on good terms, either. I'm one of the trusted, after all, and he's practically the opposite. I think the only reason he tolerates me is because i'm nice to D'khoreh. He's a sweet little idiot who's too nice for his own good. It's hard not to be nice to D'khoreh. Unless you're Vairg, or one of the other parade of assholes i work for...

S'vexrha Tchuma: ".. Didn't call or treat 'em like it, but.." She grimaces faintly, and offered a small nod. Q'kura's words make Vex's ears fall flat atop her head, hands balling up into fists as little embers spark around them. "… Matoyan had nothing to do with it.."

Neoma Eltanin looked at Vex's fists in silence. "… Q'kura…" She lifted her gaze to look at him. "You.. will probably have to remain here in the infirmary until we have sorted things out, but… I take it that afterwards you will be going back to the compound? To… where you are stationed."

Q'kura Tia: "He didn't cave, but… There was never any proof. But---" Q'kura's eyes narrow over his glasses. "…If not him, then who? One of the others? It would make sense, for him to take the blame for it, knowing him…" Trailing, he looks to Neoma, giving a small, though uneasy nod. "I… Have to. They will hunt me down if i don't return, and… Trust me even less than they probably do. If i'm here too long, i won't be able to get back in…"

S'vexrha Tchuma holds a long silence, the only word that leaves her being to reveal something likely unthinkable to anyone within the compound's ranks. "…. Ketenblaet."

Neoma Eltanin nodded, opening her mouth to say something but soon shut it again as Vex mentioned a name. She looked between them, remaining silent to again listen for information that could be valuable.

Q'kura Tia: "…What…?" Q'kura breathes. His expression is incredulous, but it's clear that he has no reason to disbelieve her. "---Ket is--- He's…" Scrunching his nose, he shakes his head. "Why…?"

[Q'kura] What the fuck...? No. There's no way it was him. What motive does he have? Why? He's not one of the hands only because he doesn't want to be, but he's Grym's best friend!

S'vexrha Tchuma: "… All he told me was that he was sick of shit." Vex rolled a shoulder into a shrug. ".. Also, when Sayuri and Eir were escaping, and Ketenblaet said he hadn't seen 'em over the pearl? Outright lie. He was watching us."

Neoma Eltanin kept listening, only speaking when the silence told her she would not disturb. "Then there are more trying to get people out…" She pinched her chin in thought. "… This is an opportunity. Maybe he could help."

The realisation seems to settle heavily on his shoulders, judging by the way his face had still retained the furrowed look. Glancing to Neoma, he seems to shrink away at the idea. "---There's no proof he's trying to get people out, but… I can't just walk up to him and ask! What if you're wrong? What if it was just you and Sayuri?" He asks Vex, ears lowering. "…We all know the chaos caused by the both of you, i had to see to plenty of the aftermath myself! What if… He just wanted the two of you gone…?"

".. I don't know. Ain't exactly a secret that Ket and Grym has known eachother since they were kids, so.. Him betraying Grym is a weird fucking thought, but he did." There's a small pause, Vex's gaze darts between Neoma and Q'kura. ".. I'd say have someone else ask for you, but… You said you had no luck talking to the distrusted yet, yeah?"

Neoma too kept looking between Q'kura and Vex. "I… take it he is not approachable? Is there someone else there that you know wants to get out of there that could talk to him? The more on the inside that can get involved with this, the better the odds of organizing escapes."

"Approachable? He's -Grym's best friend-! You don't becomes friends with someone like that by being a nice person. I can't talk to him!" Q'kura huffs, though gives a small frown, shaking his head. "…I… No. I've tried. A little. I… Don't even know where to start, Vex. Who's to say if i said something, they wouldn't turn me in? They don't trust me. They don't like me, either…"

"Not.. the most approachable, no.." Vex grimaces, then arches a brow at Q'kura. "Turn you in? You're mistaking 'em for folks who are there by choice. If anything, they might think you're trying to get 'em into shit. And.. you can't exactly blame 'em for distrusting you.." She folds her arms before her chest, furrowing her brow in thought. ".. D'khoreh is most likely to trust you, but because he's a sweet little idiot by nature.. his word won't hold much sway.." She mumbles, speaking her thought process aloud.

Neoma kept pinching her chin in thought. While all this information was indeed valuable, there was little she could offer in terms of suggestions due to her lack of knowledge of the inside works of the compound. She sighed, letting her hand fall to her lap along with the arm that had been wrapped around Q'kura's shoulders. "Either way… With Q'kura here and.. not as a prisoner…" She paused to glance a little worried at Q'kura before she continued. "Maybe it would be more feasible to come up with a plan, together. You both know what it is like to be there. Rank determines your privileges, right?"

"D'khoreh is… The one i had considered. But we both know he'll run right to his sister as soon as he's able! What if she says something? Does something? Thinks i'm going to hurt him? I know they don't trust me and i… I can't blame them. But where am i supposed to start…?" The stress begins to lace his tone again, as though some reminder of his predicament seemed to settle more strongly in his thoughts. "…It does, yes. Being a Trusted and a healer gives me considerable access to things that others otherwise wouldn't have. But you… Can't keep me here forever." He swallows the anxious lump in his throat once again. "…You'll let me stay in this room, until i can… Go, though…?"

[Q'kura] The thought of staying in the infirmary is a lot nicer than in that dark cell. At least here it's... Familiar, in it's practise. Maybe they'll let me help! At least the people are nice...? ...Oh, Q'kura, what have you gotten yourself into now? Bexy and Sayuri will find out soon, and then what? Neoma, i hope you know what you're doing...

"Hey, as much as I am down to just sit and talk this through.. I don't really know what our icy friends think." Vex grimaces yet again, brows furrowing. ".. Yeah, D'nhehli would be on your ass real fucking quick." She idly taps her foot in thought. " .. What about Matoyan..? If.. he's reachable.."

To Q'kura's question, Neoma nodded. "Yes, of course. You're not imprisoned, Q'kura. You're here because I brought you here." To Vex's words, Neoma's lips thinned at the truth they held. "… At least Mist should be made aware of this. We… need a plan for what to do now that we are in this seat."

"…I could try. But he won't trust me…" Q'kura glances away, looking somewhat mournfully to Neoma. "You promise they won't hurt me…?" He asks, more than a little anxious. "…Who's Mist?"

".. I mean. I -am- going to tell Bexy.." Vex stated, at least she's honest. She peers at Q'kura, pausing for a moment. "… If Matoyan can still leave the Compound, I could talk to him.."

"I promise, Q'kura. I'm not going to lie, knowing them they will most likely be angry to hear that you know where this place is. It is a threat, after all. But the blame is on me, not you. I won't let them hurt you, I'll stay by your side." She lifted a hand to rest on his shoulder for a moment as extra comfort. "Mist is responsible for the Merciful Bough, everyone employed here and the details regarding missions. She is one of our leaders." The hand dropped back in her lap and she turned to look at Vex. "Vex, I take it you are going to contact Bexy right away?"

"He… He'll talk to you. I can tell him--- When i go back. They -will- let me go back, yes…?" Neoma's comfort seems to settle him, though he still held tightly to the staff on the bed. His ears fold at the impending thought of icy Miqo'te, but he doesn't make an outward comment, instead nodding quietly to Neoma's description, and committing things to memory.

Vex shoots a stare of some amount of disbelief at Neoma, lips thinning into a line at the information the Raen happily gives. "… Feeling like I should've done so earlier, now." She raises a hand towards her ear, but waits for a little moment, in case either Neoma or Q'kura has something to say before the call is made.

Neoma glanced at Q'kura for a second before turning to Vex, nodding that she could go ahead and make the call.

Q'kura practically sinks in his seat, eyes honed in on the floor. Panic begins to bubble up in the pit of his throat again, but he swallows it away with a waver, making some muted attempt to stay calm.

Vex exhales a small sigh through her nose before committing to press her finger down against the linkpearl nestled in her ear. "… Uhh.. Bexy? I… need you to come to the infirmary.." She pauses. "… Preferably ten minutes ago."

Neoma watches Vex as she makes the call, glancing a little concerned at Q'kura. She exhaled through her nose, turning her head to watch the door and waiting for it to slam open. She'd be ready to physically get in-between if she had to.

The pearl rings at the other end, and it's only a few short moments before she deigns to answer. "…Vex?" She pauses, before the words sink in. "---What happened? Is everyone alright?" Already, the sound of boots on wood, and the sound of a door closed behind her in haste.

[Bexy] ...Did something happen? Someone's hurt? If they need me, it means it wasn't just a simple injury... That there's something to it. ...I'm on my way.

Still, Q'kura keeps his quiet. Every breath threatens to hitch in his throat, hunched into his shoulders as he glances anxiously between Vex, Neoma, and the door that the others would surely soon arrive through…

Vex's lips thin into a line, casting a glance towards Q'kura before she answers. ".. Q'kura's here."

When Vex confirmed the reason for calling Bexy to the infirmary, Neoma lifted a hand to again place on Q'kura's shoulder. "You'll be okay, Q'kura. She won't hurt you."

[Q'kura] ...What if Neoma's wrong? What if they'll simply decide i'm too big a risk and kill me anyway?

"What?" Bexy's voice is equal parts disbelief and fear, quickly smoothed over by some icy sense of calm. "---I'm on my way." A pause, then, before she asks. "…Have you told Sayuri?"

"…How.. How do you know?" Q'kura asks Neoma, clearly worried. "…How well do you know her…? Do… Do you know what she's capable of…?"

"… Nope." Vex utters the word with a pop. ".. Just you."

"I know Bexy. I know very well what she is capable of. But she is also one of my dearest friends. She would never want me to get hurt, and I won't let her hurt you." She managed a soft smile towards Q'kura before her attention returned to the door, understanding that Bexy was on her way.

"…Then i'm bringing her too. She deserves to know. I'll be there soon." Bexy's pearl cuts off to Vex, before she shuffles in a small pouch for another. Activating it, the first thing heard through is a sigh. "…Sayuri? Apologies for disturbing you, but it… It's important."

[Bexy] Sayuri deserves to know. She's going to be so angry, and she has every right to be. Why is Q'kura at the company house? How the hells did he find us? Is he trying to get himself killed? I thought he was supposed to be smart!

"…I… I don't know much about her. She kept it that way on purpose, i think. When she… When she…" Q'kura breathes, but every exhale seems to shudder, as though the chill she'd brought was already here. "I… I know she's protective of her friends. I… I think if anyone in the compound knows anything about her, it's… It's that. That, and she's relentless…"

".. Alright." That one piece of information, Vex keeps to herself, her hand lowering back down as she glanced towards Neoma and Q'kura. ".. I mean. You did fuck with the woman she considers her sister.-- And by that I mean the Compound as a whole, not.. you, specifically."

A brief silence lingers before Sayuri seemingly manages to reach her linkpearl. "Bexy..? What's going on..?"

Neoma could only agree with what Vex said and nodded. "To those she loves, Bexy is kind and endearing… And fiercely protective." Her gaze fell to look at her hands in her lap. "… Grym made himself a formidable enemy by targeting the Merciful Bough. I am well aware that Bexy is responsible for many deaths among your ranks."

Bexy pulls her painted lips into a line. "…Q'kura's in our infirmary. In the company house." The quiet that hangs is an anxious one, but she continues. "I don't know how he found us, or why he's there. But i'm going, and i intend to find out."

Q'kura's ears may as well be stuck to the back of his head, chest tight, hand gripped on the staff so tightly as he slowly began to freeze up. "---But i did, Vex. With Eir, and with everything i did, and… And…" He stares fearfully, between the two of them. "---Grym only wanted X'---" He shakes his head, brow knit. "---Sayuri. He only wanted her back, not the company-- I don't think he even knows they exist, except for maybe Bexy… I… Try to stay out of his way…"

Vex slowly raised a hand up to settle a finger across her lips in a silent 'hush' motion as Q'kura very nearly speaks Sayuri's birthname, even if he managed to halt and correct himself beforehand. ".. And it's gonna stay that way. Right, Q'kura? Grym can't know. -Can't-."

There's a long, almost uncomfortable silence on Sayuri's end as she processes what she has been told, the hint of a snarl taking to the next words that leave her. "..I'm on my way."

Neoma's gaze was still lowered, frowning just a bit in concern. "… If Grym found out about this place it would lead to more people getting harmed. Or worse." She sighed, lifting her head to glance at the door. "Maybe I should contact Mist soon as well. She would want to know about the current situation, as there is a link to the Merciful Bough now. Even if unintentional."

"I'll see you there." Bexy replies on her pearl, before slipping through the aether. She'd be there, before long.

"--I won't tell him anything, i promise! I swear! I… I didn't even know you were here, this was just… It… It was an accident. I didn't mean to come here, didn't mean to find you…" Q'kura stammers, staring at the door again.

[Q'kura] I don't want to tell Gyrm anything. I'll just pretend i never came here, i... I don't want them to kill me... I... I just want someone to trust me...!

".. I believe you. I just hope they will, too." Vex furrows her brows, glancing towards the door before peering back at Q'kura.

"None of this is your fault, Q'kura. If someone is to bear the blame, it is me. I brought you here, and I still do not regret bringing you here." She paused, studying Q'kura's expression. "… You really needed someone, didn't you? Not just for your leg."

"I-i…" Q'kura's voice breaks at Neoma's words, immediately crumbling into a sob. All he can do is nod as an answer to her question, diverting his gaze to the floor as he wept.

[Q'kura] I just... I just wanted someone to treat me like a person, just for a little! To be listened to, not discarded or written in the footnotes of history as someone who didn't matter, i just... I want someone to just... ... Just someone to... Care. Even just for a little bit...

Though only a few more moments pass, until the dreaded footfalls sound. A purposeful, heeled march across the floor brings Bexy to the door of the infirmary, pushing her way in with some urgency, and holding the door open behind her for someone to follow. Nodding to Vex as a greeting, she smiles faintly to Neoma, before her eyes narrow in on Q'kura…

Vex's ears droop at both Neoma's words and Q'kura's reaction to them. A small sigh heaves from her nose, clearly feeling sympathetic towards him. An ear turns at the sound of the door opening, prompting her to turn to face Bexy as she enters, lips thinned into a line.

Sayuri is not far behind her, with her features drawn into a scowl, and ice lacing her fingertips. Her eyes swiftly seek out Q'kura, narrowing as her steps sped up a little further, clearly intending to get closer to him - and quickly.

Neoma meets Bexy's eyes and gets up, ready to speak to her before she had mind to scare Q'kura even further. However her eyes widened in surprise seeing Sayuri approaching. "Sayuri..? Ah- wait!" She quickly gets in front of Q'kura, one hand held in front of herself as a signal to try and halt Sayuri before she tried hurting him. "Don't hurt him, it is not his fault he is here!"

Q'kura's ears are pinned flat, staring to Bexy as she entered. That fear only turns into horror as Sayuri slips out from behind Bexy, claws brandished - His eyes wide as a cry of terror leaves him, now a sobbing mess behind Neoma as he began to beg. "IT WAS AN ACCIDENT! I---I DIDN'T MEAN TO--- I DIDN'T---!" He clutches onto Neoma's shoulders so tightly that she can feel him shaking, eyes squeezed shut and head dipped away to hide.

[Q'kura] NO, NO! I KNEW BEXY WAS GOING TO COME HERE, BUT SHE--- SAYURI! I SWEAR I DIDN'T KNOW! I DIDN'T KNOW!

Bexy had no intention of moving any closer; looking remarkably calm, if not a little worried. As Sayuri moves towards Q'kura, she reaches for a forearm, hoping to hold her back, or at least make her think. "---Not until we know why he's here." She states, aiming to catch Sayuri's eyes.

[Bexy] ...I want to know why he's here, first. No use killing him if there's something we can learn, first. But he's terrified. He either knows damn well he's made a mistake by coming here, or there's something else at play.

Even Vex places herself between, serving as another annoyance to get through should Sayuri decide she's feeling particularly murderous this sun. "-- Easy. We still need him, remember? The folks inside?" She presses, trying to remind her.

Sayuri is brought to a halt as Bexy grasps her forearm, a hostile snarl passing her lips. "It's bad enough that he's even here in the first place!" Her mismatched glare moves from Q'kura, to Neoma, further to Vex, and then settles on Bexy.

Neoma did not move from where she stood, determined to keep herself between Q'kura and the others. "I'm the reason he's here. If you want someone to be angry at, it is me." There was no hesitation as she spoke, looking at both Sayuri and Bexy without avoiding their eyes. "I met him in Thanalan. He needed help, so I brought him here to treat him."

[Bexy] What the fuck, Neoma!? After everything i did to keep him from here, everything i did to... To protect all of you, and you just... ....Agh! I swear, your kind heart is going to get you and others killed, one sun!

"You -brought him here-?" Bexy adds, eyes widening as they darted to Neoma. "--Why? Needed help? You couldn't have just done it in the field?" She looks to the cowering Q'kura, and even she can't stop her aether from bringing a chill to the room; though compared to the likely severity of Sayuri's, it's hardly able to be felt. "--After all i did to keep him from us? Did you know, Neoma?" Her tone is scolding, but she makes no move to draw closer, instead trying to pull Sayuri back, meeting her gaze with some quiet levelheadedness.

Q'kura holds his quiet, and doesn't open his eyes. He decides the smart thing to do is hold his breath and stay hidden, sobs pushing their way out of his lips every so often.

Vex remains silent, staying right where she is.

Sayuri's eyes dart to Neoma, then - offering a look of disbelief and betrayal. The ice on her fingertips expand further along her hands and begin to crawl up her forearms, her chill definitely increasing in severity. "..Are you -trying- to have me found?" While Sayuri certainly knows the true answer, it seems her mind has removed the ability for her to reach a rational conclusion as her emotions are running high, and were before she had even entered the room.

Neoma let out a quiet breath. It was clear just how upset Bexy and Sayuri were, but she did her best to remain calm and collected. "I did not know he was one of Grym's men. I did not notice the mark on his face because of the rain, and I was careless. I'm sorry." She glanced a little over her shoulder at Q'kura who was still trembling behind her. "He did not know who I was and willingly followed after I convinced him he needed his leg examined. It is severely damaged and has not healed properly."

Bexy takes a breath in kind, allowing her to slowly measure the situation. "…You found him. You didn't know who he was, didn't see the mark. You brought him back here… He's hurt?" Bexy narrows her gaze a little at Q'kura, then. "You're a healer. Why take her aid, when you're capable enough on your own?" She asks, and does not let go of Sayuri's arm for a moment.

"I--- I tried! I tried, and i… I can't…" Q'kura is almost hysterical from fear, and won't so much as look Bexy or Sayuri in the eyes. "---I--- I never meant to--- I-it was an accident! I swear, i won't tell anyone! I won't!" Some small pang of desperation sees him glance up, tear stricken, to Sayuri, "---I don't want them to take you back! You have to believe me! You have to! Vex--- Vex, you know i'm telling the truth! Please!"

[Bexy] The thing is, i believe him. I do. I've watched him enough to know his tells, and though i can't deny his intelligence, he's not reserved enough to hide his emotions from me. He's terrified we're going to kill him. I don't think he meant to end up here, but... Gods damn it, putting an arrow through his head would be so much easier, if it wouldn't condemn so many of the people still inside to death.

"… Vairg broke his leg." Vex speaks up, and glances to Neoma. "-- His knee, right?" She then peers to Q'kura as he speaks her name, ears flattening a touch. ".. I believe him. Like.. The way he reacted when he saw me, it was clear he had no fucking clue we were here."

Vairg's name being uttered certainly does not make Sayuri any calmer, the mere mentioning of it causing her ice to sprawl up to her biceps, fangs gritting in a snarl. Despite the murderous glare she returns to Q'kura, her anger seems to have been just a touch redirected.

Neoma nodded to Vex before her attention returned to Sayuri and Bexy, anxious to make sure Sayuri especially did not get her hands on Q'kura. "… When he realized where he was, he got terrified. He does not mean us any harm, and only came here because I brought him with me." She paused to sigh. "… I'm sorry, Bexy. Sayuri. I understand the severity. But he does not deserve to be hurt because of this."

Bexy gives a steady nod to Vex, but her brow knits to Neoma as she spoke. "I never mentioned laying a finger on him. If anything, that makes it a lot more difficult for him to achieve what we want. But i believe you. At least you, Neoma, and Vex. Q'kura didn't mean to find us, here." She releases Sayuri's arm, trusting her enough to at least not lunge for him again. Though, her expression doesn't soften so much, giving a sharp sigh, stress clearly working it's way into the knit of her brow. "---Neoma. Do you… Realise, the danger you've put us in…?"

"I… I didn't know… I didn't know…" Q'kura sobs, withdrawing onto the bed. "I… I j-just--- She she was nice to me. J-just for a little, i wanted to… W-wanted to…" Tears pour down his cheeks, finally looking upwards. "F-for once, i… I didn't mean to cause problems…"

Vex quietly watches Sayuri as Bexy lets go of her, seemingly intending to remain vigilant, just in case.

Sayuri surprisingly enough stays at Bexy's side, even when she's released. Her gaze peels off of Q'kura to instead lock on Neoma. ".. I will remember you're sorry when he opens his fucking mouth and I end up in a cell, again." She snarled. "Why not just tell me that Grym deserves to live too?"

[Q'kura] They aren't going to let me go, are they? They're going to kill me... Oh Gods, they're going to kill me!

This time Neoma's gaze fell, lifting her hand to rub her other arm as guilt gripped its hold of her. "… I know. I know apologizing isn't solving anything." She pursed her lips, remaining quiet for a short moment before looking at Sayuri. "And I understand if you hate me because of this, Sayuri. But I cannot undo what has been done." Her eyes lingered on Sayuri before she turned to look at Q'kura. "… Judging by what I can see however, he too has become a victim of the cruelty of that place. Was it not so that we would help those who are trapped there?"

"We won't let him take you. Not again." Bexy's words are half snapped, though not directed quite at anyone, more in response to Sayuri. "---He lives if he manages to free the Distrusted. We kill him now, they have less of a chance of getting out." Her icy gaze moves to Q'kura again, giving a sigh that sounded more pitiful, and somewhat resentful. "I never wanted you to find this place. You couldn't give them knowledge you didn't have, Q'kura. I know how prone you are to babbling under pressure…" Her tail swats, wavering. "…I learned that myself."

"I w-won't… I won't tell them, i…" His voice fades, trembling as he hid behind Neoma. His thoughts wandered along the same path as Bexy's; it wasn't difficult to figure out what she was thinking. "I didn't mean to… I didn't… But i…" He sobs, hanging his head. "Y-you're… Not going to let me go. A-are you…?" Gripping the bed, he shudders with grief. "J-just… M-make it quick…?"

".. They've avoided him, but we got an idea for how to make 'em talk with him." Vex voices. ".. Yeah, he babbles, but as long as there's no suspicion about him, it should be fine. They got no reason to stress him out enough to get to that topic."

Sayuri in turn offers no words, simply stood with her hands balled into fists and teeth locked in a tight grit.

The anger in Sayuri's eyes felt like daggers in Neoma's heart. She struggled meeting her glare and carefully swallowed before she dared to speak. "It will be more dangerous to not let Q'kura return. They might grow suspicious if he is gone for too long." Eyes shifted to Bexy as she continued talking. "Mist should be made aware. I can contact her right away."

Bexy flicks her gaze from Q'kura to Vex, then to Neoma, remaining quiet for a long moment. "…Suppose you're right. Both of you. Though helping him wasn't part of the bargain, i know you want to get those on the inside free. As for Mist…" It's almost a grimace given, as Bexy sighs. "If you must. It's not exactly a private matter now, considering."

Q'kura shifts his attention from Bexy to Sayuri, then. Tear-stained spectacles perched on his nose, and he seemed to be… Waiting, for something, though dare not make a mention of what.

".. It wasn't, but with the distrusted avoiding him, unlikely to trust him or trusting him and having your sister refusing that trust…" How very specific, Vex. "… I'd rather help him reach 'em, to make sure something can be started. Besides.." A small frown settles on Vex's features, ears flattening. "..Someone I care about, a lot, was accused of getting me out. He's been hurt."

Sayuri's gaze drifts away, lingering somewhere that isn't on any person - the anger and hurt in her eyes not subsiding one bit.

Neoma glanced to Sayuri before she nodded to Bexy, lifting her hand to press on the linkpearl hanging from her horn. "… Mist, are you available? Could you come to the infirmary? No one is badly wounded, but… it is rather urgent. We have a… situation at hand."

[Mist] ...Well, this isn't exactly the afternoon i had in mind. What now?

"A… Situation?" The response is almost immediate-quick from Mist's end, followed by a long, laboured sigh. "Right. One moment." No sooner does the pearl cut short, does the sound of a distant door in the hallway close…

"…I'm not opposed to it. But my opinion and feelings aren't the only ones that matter." Though she'd responded to Vex, her gaze had narrowed, settling on Neoma with such scathing words. Though the look doesn't linger, glancing to Sayuri with concern.

Q'kura manages to speak, though his words waver in fear. "…I want to help. N-not just… For me. I know how it feels. I know what i did, what i've done, and i… I just want to help. I promise…"

Vex offers a small nod in response to Bexy's words, gaze trailing to Sayuri.

Sayuri kept quiet a little longer, only for her mismatched glare to find its way back to Q'kura. "You know how it feels?" She half-scoffs, half-snarls. "What you have had was a bloody kindness in comparison."

The directed words from Bexy's lips did not go unnoticed to Neoma, and she did not meet Bexy's eyes. The hand that had been lifted to press on the linkpearl fell back to her side, while her other hand was busy tugging anxiously at the fabric of her sleeve. "… Mist is on her way."

It didn't take long for her to arrive, pushing her way into the infirmary, tucking her glasses into the top pocket of her shirt. She glances between Bexy and Sayuri, rounding them to eventually find Vex and Neoma, and behind them, peering around… A face she'd never seen before. She lofts a brow, and heaves a sigh. "Explain."

[Mist] Oh, for fucks sake. I know that mark. In the company house? Really? ...I knew something like this would happen eventually.

"He's one of them, Mist." Bexy replies, as even toned as she's able. "…Our situation is compromised. They know where we are. Whether you want it to be or not, this is a company matter, now." Though it was something she'd asked her for, this clearly wasn't the terms she'd wanted it on.

Q'kura keeps his quiet, now looking upwards towards Mist. He's still hiding behind Neoma, unsure of the new arrival to the room…

Vex peers towards Mist, lips thinning a touch before she offers a gesture Q'kura's way. ".. This is Q'kura. He is, uh.. A high ranked healer from the Compound.."

Sayuri glances at Mist as she enters, only to look away from everyone once more, staring at some far-off corner in the infirmary instead. The scowl remains, along with the shimmering mixture of anger and betrayal in her eyes.

One of Neoma's hands lifts to hold her other lower arm, looking troubled. "Hi, Mist. Sorry for calling you here so sudden." She sighed, pausing to glance at Q'kura for a second before she continued. "I brought him here to look at an injury in his knee. I… I'm sorry. I did not realize he was one of Grym's men." She anxiously glanced at the others present in the room before her focus returned to Mist, tensing the grip of her arm just a bit. "The fault lies entirely with me, not with him. He had no knowledge of who I was or where I was taking him."

"---A high ranked healer from the compound, and the man responsible for kidnapping Eir, and in turn, Sayuri. The man i hunted down and imprisoned in my home for several moons." Bexy clarifies, not wanting for anything to be missed.

[Q'kura] Please... Please don't remind me...

Mist looks flatly to Bexy, then to the others in the room, settling on Neoma. "Our cover is compromised. You understand if he leaves and tells them, they could storm our home and kill the lot of us, yes? Camp outside. Take whoever they please?" It's delivered almost matter-of-factly, but without any real anger. "…If they were stupid, anyway. They might win, but not without heavy losses. The Twin Adders wouldn't simply sit by and watch, and they aren't in his pocket like the Flames. Neoma, what you did was… Well intentioned, but incredibly foolish. You have to know this, yes?"

As Bexy reveals the more scathing information, Q'kura shrinks away, terrified of looking into Sayuri's icy, murderous glare that was no doubt going to be seen in his nightmares again. "I'm sorry, i'm sorry…" He utters like a mantra, starting to rock anxiously on the edge of the bed.

Vex gives a small nod as Bexy clarifies further, then opts to keep her silence, glancing over to Sayuri.

Not a single word leaves Sayuri, who has seemingly decided to withdraw emotionally. The expression she had held fizzles into a certain blank canvas and she merely stares to the side. The ice yet clings to her, and gives no suggestion that it may fade anytime soon.

"… I know. I'm sorry." Neoma dipped her head slightly. "Had I known he was a member of Grym's, I would not have taken him here. But… I did take him here, and I cannot change that." Glancing at Q'kura over her shoulder, Neoma lifted her gaze to face Mist. "But as it looks now, he is also under severe threat at the compound. The knee injury was caused by Vairg, who from what I have heard is one of Grym's most dangerous men."

"So i've been informed." Mist responds, looking over the Q'kura, and heaving a sigh, rubbing her temples. "…Right. This is… This could be better, but we can use this. If you're willing to co-operate with us." She regards Q'kura directly, then. "…Now Vex is free, we don't know much of anything that goes on in those walls. How much information do you think you can pull from there and bring to us?" She asks, before her expression darkens a little. "---You're smart, so i've been told. You even think of betraying us and i won't hesitate to let Sayuri do to you exactly what she wants to. Are we clear?"

[Mist] I really hate using people as threats, but i meant it. I'm not fond of killing people unless i really, really have to, but even i'm not so naive to think that's not an occasional necessity. Besides. It's nice to threaten someone with someone other than Bexy, for a change.

"I… I can try!" Q'kura nods, emphatically. "---I swear, i won't go back on my word, i promise--- I… I promise. Mist, yes? You tell me what you want to know, and… I'll bring everything i can!"

Bexy gives a similarly long sigh out of her nose, and instead moves to stand by Sayuri. She reaches over, to gently touch her arm, in attempt to offer some support.

[Bexy] Twelve, she's pissed. I can feel it in the air, and i can't blame her one bit. I'm sorry, Sayuri. But i'll keep my promise. They won't take you again. And if they somehow manage, i'll tear them to pieces to bring you back.

Vex passes a glance to Neoma, lips thinning a touch. "… I mean. Vairg almost killed Eir. And what, he's Grym's new left hand, right?" Her gaze trails to Q'kura, brows furrowing. "… Two fingers less than he was, but he still fucking sucks."

Sayuri only briefly peers in Mist's direction at her words, trailing it over to Bexy instead as she touches her arm. She keeps her quiet, ears glued down flatly atop her skull.

Neoma looked over to Bexy and Sayuri for a moment before looking at Q'kura, keeping silent at first before speaking. "Q'kura, do you… want to get out of the compound? If you could leave your position and everything else behind… Would you?"

"---O-of course i would. I would have already, had i not known i'd be hunted, which…" He steadies himself a little, coming to the conclusion he was most likely going to live to see the end of the sun. "…I wager i have a sun or two, before they start getting suspicious. I… Don't want them to look for me, but i… I swear, i'll find out anything you want to know. Vex, i'll… I'll try to talk to Matoyan. He's allowed out, but… Not for long. I…" He fights back tears, to some degree of success, looking to Bexy and Sayuri. "…I know you don't forgive me. But… Please. Please let me help."

[Q'kura] I... I just... I just want to be better... Please. Please let me try...

Bexy simply glances to Sayuri. This isn't for her to speak on, seeming at least put at ease by Mist's course of action.

"…Then until you leave, you're to be confined to this room. Fed and watered upon request. Neoma, you brought him, he's your burden until he leaves." Mist states, matter-of-factly. "But i will be here to speak with you further when i've compiled a list of things i want to know."

".. Well, you do kinda work directly under one of the shittier fuckers present, I wouldn't wanna stay either." Vex huffs. ".. Sun or two, maybe a little longer if they settle for pearl calls as check-ins, unless that changed since I left." Her attention settles a little more fully on Q'kura. ".. If you can't talk to him, figure out where he'll be and tell me, yeah? I'll find him."

Sayuri doesn't offer a single sound or look in Q'kura's direction, simply keeping her silence.

To Mist's orders, Neoma nods. "Of course, I brought him here as a patient first of all. I'll look after him." She turned to look at Vex, a hint of concern in her expression. "… Matoyan is a friend of yours, right? Maybe we can get him away from there, too."

"Eanwin is awful…" Q'kura mutters, ears lowered. "…They will, but i wager they'll get more suspicious with me, considering… My last… Disappearance." He tries to at least not glance to Bexy when speaking those words. "…I… Can. Does that mean i… Can… Return here with the information or…" He hesitates, a little. "…Will you… Find me, instead?"

"…You come here, and you'll come here alone. I'll ask the Karahli to watch wider bits of the Shroud, and some of us will be on rotation keeping watch in the Lavender Beds proper." A disparaged sigh is given from Mist, as she paces the room a little. "…This is such a mess. Neoma. This won't happen again. Yes?"

Vex looks over to Neoma, ears flattening a touch before she sinks her head into a small nod. ".. Matoyan fought to keep me out of trouble. Didn't work much, but.. He always looked out for me, ever since he first learned of my arrival. He, uh… won't leave. Not before the others."

Neoma studied Vex a bit, concern still evident in her eyes, before her attention is swiftly brought back to Mist. She dips her head, rubbing her wrist as she pressed her lips together and nodded. "Understood."

"Good." Mist replies firmly, turning away to heave a sigh. "Has anyone got anything more to add? Anything else they'd like to bring up about this whole…" She gestures vaguely at Q'kura. "…Situation…?"

Bexy remains silent, and shakes her head. Brow knit, she looks to the floor.

Q'kura simply shakes his head. "…I will tell you everything you want to know…" He murmurs, ears flattening on his head.

Vex shakes her head, nothing to add.

Sayuri seems intent to hold her silence.

Neoma looked at everyone present in the room. The air felt tense, no one looking the other in the eye and keeping silent. It was unsettling, to say the least. A heavy weight nestled itself in her chest and she quietly sighed, before turning to Mist with a shake of her head. "… No, I think all the information has been shared."

"Right. Wonderful. Back to… Whatever you were doing before this mess happened. Neoma, he's under your watch, pearl me if i'm needed. I'll be back soon enough to speak with you." The emphasized word was directed at Q'kura, as she moved to the door, opening it to usher everyone out.

[Mist] I have a lot i need to ask him, and a lot i want to talk about. I won't admit it outright, but i really hope that he actually wants to redeem himself. Gods know my bleeding heart has got me in trouble enough.

Bexy casts her glance around the room. First to Q'kura, a little narrowed, then to Vex with a nod. Her eyes settle on Neoma's a little too long, as though she might say something… But she simply departs, ensuring Sayuri would follow after her.

Q'kura just sits in the quiet, watching as the procession of faces leaves, slumped as the weight seemed to hang heavy on his shoulders.

Vex slowly reached for Q'kura, aiming a gentle pat atop his shoulder before she heads for the door.

Sayuri's eyes finally moved from the location they had been locked upon, giving Neoma a final look of hurt before she turns on her heels and makes a swift exit from the room.

Neoma remained where she stood, watching as the others left and keeping quiet until the others were out of the infirmary. She sighed and turned to Q'kura, studying him up and down with concerned eyes. They looked a bit more tired now after the chaotic gathering. "How are you feeling, Q'kura?"

Mist departs soon after the rest, closing the door behind her, leaving only Q'kura and Neoma within.

"I…" Tears welled in his eyes again, bringing a sleeve up to wipe them. Even Vex's comfort was unexpected, though welcomed. "…I'm sorry. I… I… Didn't mean to get you into trouble…" He blinks the tears back, composing himself and reaching for the tray. "But i will be fine, thanks to you. I just need a little something to eat, and… To rest." Guilt settles in his gaze, peering up to Neoma. "…You probably should, too…"

[Q'kura] I knew they'd always be angry at me, but... Neoma's their friend, and now they're upset at her, too. And while usually i wouldn't care, because why should i? I feel terrible.

Neoma smiled softly, shaking her head. "This is not your fault, Q'kura. You don't have to apologize. I'll be fine, I just want you to recover." She glanced at the food on the tray. "… It must have gotten cold by now. Do you want me to get you another portion?"

"No, no, it's fine. You've already done more than enough…" He trails, picking up his utensils and digging into his meal. Only quiet seemed to follow, then. He'd much to think about.

She watched him for just a bit before deciding to leave him alone for now. "Alright, I'll let you have some peace and quiet. I'll remain here in the infirmary though, don't worry." She turned to distract herself with preparing potions, anything really to keep her mind occupied as the uncomfortable feeling of guilt still had its grip of her heart.

[umbralsound-xiv]

Fair Warnings.

Bexy Amalaryssia remains settled, lost in her thoughts as she gazed to the fish tank; though her eyes didn't follow the swimming creatures within. Instead, she stared almost to a fixed point, brow faintly knit in her reflection.

I don't regret what i did. Barbaric, some might call it, but i think it's a necessary evil. They need to know any attempt to take her back will result in violence. ...How quickly they forget.

White Rabbit cracked open the door, peeking her head into the company's estate. Her own gaze found the back of exactly why she made the not-so-little trip— miss ice pick. The rest of her body eased inside, one knee-locked leg in front of the other brought her further as she swayed. "Ice-pick~" she lightly cooed. Didn't wanna startle her. Who knows what she'd do.

The sound of the door alone is enough for Bexy's ears to turn in the direction of it, puzzling out through footsteps… Until there was unfamiliarity. Her nickname pulls a sigh from her nose, head turned over her shoulder as her hair followed, spilling in midnight waves. "White." Bexy greets back. It's neither welcoming nor unkind, but she's acknowledged.

White Rabbit stood there, keeping a wide distance while her hands kept clasped behind her back. She leaned this way and that, smiling at her. "Are you goin' to guess? Why I'm here. Or are you goin' to ruin the fun? And have me tell you. Without a single one." Another step she took brought her closer, then another followed by however many more were needed till she reached the back of the obstacle in the form of a sofa. Or couch. She didn't know the difference.

Bexy Amalaryssia slips her hand from the glass of the fish tank, the faint glimmer of frost leaving it, to quickly vanish from the absence of her hand. "I suppose my antics finally caught up with you?" She asks, a small tilt of her head in turn. "I'm assuming it wasn't for tea and cake."

I'd be surprised if it was anything less. Not that it's a secret. You don't usually get to have so many secrets from someone like White.

White Rabbit: "I'm /always/ happy to have cake. Even with /you/." Less so the tea. Unless it was the super fruity kind. She'd drink it. Placing her arms folded over one another upon the back of the sofa, she leaned on them. "We're gettin' /artistic/. Is this a new hobby? A bit morbid. Some would say." Like her. "No. That's not it. Is it?" A pause. "That errand boy. Was he apart of it?"

Bexy Amalaryssia: "No. Sayuri let him live… On the premise that he'd help those inside. Though i wager that'll take time to bear fruit, if any. As for what i did…" A few steady, heeled steps close the gap towards the sofa. "I was sending a message. They came for her again, White. For Sayuri. I wasn't about to let them go without a warning."

"They're." She laughed. "Dumb. So /very/ stupid. So surprisin' how they keep poking the bear. Do you like bears? They look so soft. But they have those /claws/." Squishing her cheek into her palm she smirked at the woman. "You don't look like a bear." Anyways— "He's alive. Runnin' yours. Her errands. I /knew/ it'd fit him." Thinking back at what she was told she dramatically sighed, rolling her eyes.

Bexy Amalaryssia: "You'd think they'd learn. After all the bloodshed, both without and within, and still, still they try to take her?" Already the room had grown cold, Bexy's aether stirring at the thought of it, but it gets no worse than that. "I'd rather a whole host of bears than slavers. At least beasts know better than to try the same stupid thing twice." Her eyes narrow as White rolls her own, tail swatting lightly at her heel. "Whether he remains useful remains to be seen. Don't suppose you've seen anything of him, hm?"

White Rabbit shook her head, telling her no. "He'll be useful. Even if it's only a tiny bit. You'll take that. Won't you?" Rocking her head the other way, it had become the opposite cheek's turn to be squished. "Are they. Nabbin' folks? Still." She heard things, but she wanted to compare them— hear what the icy woman had to say all while taking note like she tended to do.

Bexy Amalaryssia: "Probably. I doubt much they'd simply stop, considering how long they've been established. Sayuri's something of a special case, mind. That bastard is -obsessed-." Another small huff of cold is given from her nose, then. "That's what you wanted to hear? Whether it was me that was responsible for that gruesome sight on the clifftops?" Her painted lips curl into a more wicked smirk, gaze trailing briefly over the back of White's hand. "Did anyone else even come to mind?"

White Rabbit stared at Bexy's face, her smirk staying exactly how it was. "No. Who else would put on a display. Like /that/?" Her thoughts circled around the answer she was given. Again, she heard things. She thought it was true and she wanted to be wrong. Sometimes it was good to be. Now was one of them. Her eyes danced over to the fish. "Do they go after carriages?"

Bexy Amalaryssia: "Hah. -Good-." Bexy leans in a little further, half kneeling on the cushion of the sofa. "So there's no mistaking to them that it was -me-. Hopefully they come to the same conclusions that you did." White's latter question bring a small 'hm', from Bexy's lips. "I don't know. It wouldn't surprise me, but i don't know for sure. Why?"

White Rabbit's eyes dropped down to the woman's knees, pausing there a moment before making their way up to meet her face. Her own's brows lifted by the tugging of curiosity. "If they're not that stupid." But then came the 'why'. "Why not? Come on, icepick. Have you forgotten why we're business partners? I know things. Askin' means I get to know even /more/."

Bexy Amalaryssia: "Well the only thing you'll learn from me is that i don't know. Not about that, at least. Have any gone missing?" Bexy asks with a curiosity of her own, eyes settled on White's own.

White Rabbit shook her head, making a note in it. "Not that /I've/ heard of. But folks? They always are goin' missing. Who knows. If its from beast or because of some bastard." A small laugh hopped out of her mouth.

Bexy Amalaryssia: "Suppose we'll find out if Q'kura decides to be useful or not." Hesitation hung in Bexy's words for a moment, her attention only half settling on White's face until it drifts lower to her hands. "…It was worrying, mind. Not only because they went after her again. But it was in the Shroud. Not Thanalan."

Now /that/ was an interesting nugget of knowledge. Quickly, she hoisted herself up! Swinging her legs over the couch's back to plop herself down between it and Bexy's legs. Her seat now. "The Shroud?" she parroted back, surprise bleed into her tone. "Well. Wellwellwell, I guess you're right, icepick. Grimy Grym really is obsessed. He should get a hobby. That doesn't involve stealin' folks. Pressin' flowers could work…"

Or stealing flowers, considering Sayuri's namesake. I swear, if i ever find myself in shooting distance of him, it will take everything i have to not kill him there and then.

Bexy Amalaryssia: "…The Shroud. The South Shroud, so perhaps as close as you can get to Thanalan without actually being there, but… Yes. She and Eir both were attacked, and managed to fend them off and return here. They're both fine after a stint in the infirmary, but… Still." Bexy's lips pull into a line as White descends, and Bexy doesn't move an ilm. She is -cold-, though, and moreso for the proximity to her. "Perhaps he could lose the habit of breathing, while he was at it. Though i have a feeling even if we put him down, it won't be the end of it. But it would help."

White Rabbit: "Can he still cook? Bake." Now was not the time to think about cookies. But there she was, lounging lazily against the sofa with an ankle resting on her thigh while the rest of that leg dangled off next to the icy woman. She'd be great to stand next to in the desert's heat. That was an idea. "Who'd take over? If he picked that hobby. Anyone? Or would it all fall apart?"

Bexy Amalaryssia: "Eir can still cook, yes. Perhaps i'll actually have time to try some of it, this time." Bexy levels her gaze on White, staring. "…Vairg, if i had to guess. Or Z'quohn, their right hand. But i don't know a lot about him, save for that he's supposed to be the smart one."

White Rabbit let out a small 'huh'. "Vairg." she repeated between a slight grin. A small one. She wasn't happy about it, but she'd be lying to say she wasn't curious how that'd go for everyone. "Would hate to meet him. In a dark alley. Or a lit one." Moving on from that, she asked, "Whats next? His and hers are safe. For now. You're going to see? Listen. For whatever the errand boy gets done?" Nosey. She had every right to be, she felt. Knowing things helped, not only for herself, but for that little group of Bexy's.

I met Vairg once. He's an imposing man, and i can see well why others might fear him. It took both Vex and i to hold Sayuri back behind the table. But he's just a man. Blood and bone like the rest of us. One good arrow to the right place would kill him like any other.

Bexy Amalaryssia: "That's the idea. No more killing; Not for the moment. I wouldn't want them to think that i won't stop even if they haven't taken her, and provide any sort of encouragement. If i hear anything from Q'kura… You'll know." Her expression sours a little, at the mention of Vairg. "…He's dangerous, White. He won't think twice about gutting you like a fish."

White Rabbit quipped back, "Good thing. I'm not a fish." No, she was a cocky woman and she knew what that got her the last time. Didn't stop her from running her mouth in front of /kinder/ company.

Bexy Amalaryssia: "-White-." Bexy warns with a sharp frown, pushing away from the sofa to sulk back at the fishtank. "Do whatever you want, but you can't say you weren't warned."

White Rabbit: "Do you think I /would/. Say that?" Hands against the sofa's cushion helped push her up to stand.

Bexy Amalaryssia: "I don't know." Bexy retorts, head inclined. "Smart as you are, even you're prone to occasional bouts of stupidity." Bexy's gloved hand raises, a slender, all-too-familiar icy dagger forming in her grasp, which she idly twirls between her fingers.

White Rabbit swung her arms out to either side into a small bow. "And yet. Here I stand. Able to have even /more/ of those bouts." A smug smile pulled her lips wide, pushing her cheeks up into her gaze that stared at the woman. Standing full she began to slowly stroll, opting to go around the couch this time instead of over it. Stopping between it and the chair near by she didn't look behind her. "If you hear anythin'. About more nabbins. Where they're happenin'. To who and how they're travelin'."

White Rabbit: "I want to know."

Bexy Amalaryssia: "And yet, here you are!" Bexy echoes, with a little more enthusiasm. "…-Just-." White's smile was met with a frown, dismissing it with a sigh as she watched the Raen move off from the sofa. "You'll know if i hear anything." Bexy replies. "Same goes for you if you learn anything you think might be important to me."

Content, she started strolling again, stepping into a bounce around into walking backwards as she lifted a hand. She wiggled her fingers, giving the woman her iconic farewell. "I'll see you, icepick! Soon. I hope. We could have some cake!"

Bexy Amalaryssia heaves a sigh at White's departure. The idea of cake wasn't a terrible one, but she wouldn't remark on it. "Just… Be careful." Bexy remarks, raising her own gloved hand in kind as farewell.

...I hope she listens, for her sake. I don't want to think about what Grym would do if he got his hands on her.

...Though i wouldn't be surprised if she talked her way out of it. Or brought her back.

[umbralsound-xiv]

The Bearer Of Bad News.

Newly travelled through the aether, frost still lingers on her shoulders, a look of determination on her features as she quickly makes away along the pathways of the Lavender Beds. Not to the company house, but far further on the outskirts; a small, Eastern styled house with an abundant garden - Though none of it is paid any mind, as she crosses the gate, raising a gloved hand to knock thrice, quickly.

[Bexy] I couldn't delay in telling her, not for a moment. I had no doubt she'd be unhappy for the news, but she deserves to know...

Within the house, Eir remains settled downstairs, silver gaze lost in the depths of a book. The unfamiliar sound of knocking pulls his attention from the text, over to Sayuri. "…Did you hear that…?" Eir asks, a little uncertain.

Sayuri's ears twitch at the sound of the knock, brows furrowing as she slowly closed the sketchbook she had been sat drawing in. ".. I did hear that." She confirms.

"…Then it was not my imagination…" Perplexed, Eir settles a bookmark between the pages, and closes it to settle on the blankets. "…We were not expecting guests…?" He asks, making for the stairs, brow knit.

".. Not as far as I'm aware. I've had no call." Sayuri settled down her sketchbook and pushed herself out of her seat, brushing a hand over the front of the skirt of her yukata to smooth it out before continuing after Eir.

Eir ascends the stairs, striding over the kitchen and living room towards the door. Pulling a key out of his pocket, it's settled into the lock, which is slowly turned, the door almost hesitantly pulled open… Before he gives a sigh of relief. "…And here i thought we were being called upon by a stranger…" He smiles, opening the door to allow her in.

[Eir] Not that i am unhappy to see Bexy coming to call, only... I thought it strange she had not called ahead. Already, i was worried...

"Greetings, Eir." Bexy replies, head dipping as she offered a polite smile, though she'd long stopped hiding her worry. "…Is Sayuri home? I'd have called before i arrived, but it--- It's important."

Having halted at the foot of the stairs, deciding that Eir did not need handholding to open the door for an unexpected visit. Her ears turn slightly as she listens, catching Bexy's voice and exhaling a small sigh of relief as she, too, began to ascend the stairs to join the others above. ".. Bexy?"

"She is home." Eir nods, though sensing the worry in Bexy's features, and the urgency in which she'd arrived, he turns his head over his shoulder to regard his wife in question.

"Sayuri--- Apologies that i didn't call ahead, and… I hope i am not disturbing…" She steps more fully into the room, allowing the door to close behind her. "…There is something important i need to talk to you about, and it cannot wait. Can we sit?"

"Of course not, you're always welcome." Sayuri offered Bexy a reassuring smile, yet she had clearly caught onto the urgency in her voice. She gestured to the sofa not far from the door itself, brows furrowing with slight worry. ".. Is everything okay?"

"…It is. I think. I mediated my answers the best i could." Bexy takes a deep breath, moving to sit on the sofa as she gathered herself. "…We're not in danger, at least. But i went to the Burning Wall…"

Eir watches between them, lips pulled into a line. He rocks his weight anxiously from one foot to the other. Eventually, he asks, "…Do… You wish for some privacy? I can leave you alone, if it is needed…" Though it's clear he doesn't fully want to depart, clearly worried.

[Eir] ...I did not want to intrude. I... Know she is my wife, but i know that does not mean she has to tell me everything. That some things perhaps... Are not for my ears. Though i suppose if Bexy is already saying this much in my presence...

Bexy shakes her head, though looks to Eir. "…It's not my call to make. It concerns you, Sayuri…"

Sayuri's brow furrows further, ears tilting backwards as her gaze rests upon Bexy. ".. Is it.. the slavers..?" She asks, hesitantly, while reaching a hand for one of Eir's, aiming to gently grasp onto it and give him a small tug as she moved to sit down next to Bexy. ".. Stay?"

The small tug was all Eir needed to remain by her side. His fingers lace with hers, and as she moves to sit, he opts to settle beside her, listening quietly.

[Bexy] Gods, i can't even begin how to think to word this better. Nothing i say, save for perhaps me telling her that the situation is... Managed, will make any of this better.

"No. At least… I don't think so." Taking a deep breath, Bexy sighs, eyes meeting with Sayuri's own. "…Someone was looking for you. Not a slaver, i don't think; If she was, she was doing a very convincing impression. A Seeker woman. Long, dark hair, white highlights, one white eye. Sayuri…" Bexy trails, almost uneasy, uncertain as to how exactly to deliver the news, and quietly thankful Eir was beside her for the support she'd likely need. "…She claimed to be your mother."

She squeezed Eir's hand faintly, ears remaining down as she listens to the description Bexy gives. The next set of words erases the concerned expression she had held, surprise and/or shock taking its place. ".. My--.." She's not quite able to complete the sentence, instead leaning backwards a touch as her grasp of Eir's hand tightens - processing the information she had just received.

Eir holds her tightly, releasing her hand if only to curl an arm around her, and offer the other one for holding if she'd wished for it. He has questions; Of course he does. But for now, he keeps his quiet, and listens.

"She knew your name, Sayuri. The one from before, and the name of your father. She was following the ice i'd left the last we'd encountered the slavers." Bexy laces her own hands together, ears a little lower on her head. "…She told me she'd searched for more than twenty cycles. And that… I might think her crazy for doing so. I told her nothing. Just that… If i had any information, i would tell her, a short while from now. It's up to you as to what you'd like me to say."

Sayuri's gaze drops to the ground, locking atop the floorboards as she notably tenses up, her natural chill beginning to drop in temperature while specks of ice creep into existence across her arms and hands. "..--Grym-- He- he knows my full name, he could've told her, if she was--.." Her hand swiftly seeks out Eir's once more, aiming to grasp it tightly. "..I-.. I don't.. remember my mother well, but.. the description.. it feels.. wrong.."

[Eir] I know her mother is a woman she has no love for. This is... Not good news. Why would she search for her, after all this time? After everything they have put her through? No. No, they do not get to treat her like this, opting to care only when it suits them.

"…Perhaps her appearance has changed? Your own has, in the time we've known eachother? ---If this is Grym's doing, i swear, he won't get his hands on you again. I was careful, i promise. I told her nothing." Bexy reassures, quietly.

Noting the specks of ice, all Eir can do is press a kiss to her temple as a gentle reassurance. "…If it is not her, she does not know anything. If they are of that -bastard-, they would know better than to approach Bexy." Giving her a comforting squeeze, he adds; "…And if it is indeed your mother… You owe her nothing, Sayuri. You are under no obligation to speak with her."

"I-.. I don't know.." There's a clear hesitation, her body beginning a small rocking motion. "..They should know better than to touch me, too, but they keep coming after me.." She half-whispers, the specs of ice expanding along her arms. ".. And if-.. if it is my mother.." The grasp she has of Eir's hand tightens further, her free hand balling up so tightly her knuckles whiten. ".. She didn't protect me from him.. Another tried in her stead, but she.. she didn't.."

"They keep coming, and we'll keep killing them. They will not take you again, Sayuri. Whatever you want me to tell her, even if it is simply to leave you be… Your words are mine. You need never see her, if you don't want to." Bexy's brow knits. She knows her words had upset her, and yet, she knew it was better than hiding the truth.

[Bexy] ...Better the tears of truth than blissful ignorance, though i really do hate to upset her. Still. It's taken her cycles to even follow the thread this far. If this is indeed Sayuri's mother, i don't think she'll be able to find her without my help.

Eir pulls her close, head nudging to her own. "…She did not. But we will protect you, now. You have nothing to lose, my Moon. With or without her, you have people who love you, dearly."

With reassurance from both sides, and head gently pressed against Eir's, Sayuri closes her eyes as she feels them beginning to well up, trying to hold back the tears despite knowing that she didn't need to. She fails to quell a sob, her free hand rising to cup over her mouth in some attempt to muffle the sound.

Bexy looks a little helplessly to Eir. She hadn't known how she'd take the news, but the small, distressed wilt of her ears had indicated she hadn't expected it to be received so poorly.

Eir, meanwhile, glances to Bexy. A small shake of his head is offered in her direction; A reassurance, a mute indication that it wasn't her fault. "…We have you." Eir whispers, allowing her to cry as much as she felt she needed. "I will stand by whatever decision you choose to take."

She leaned against Eir to take in his comfort, the hand cupped over her mouth eventually slipping off and up to dry the tears from her eyes as she takes a moment to gather herself, exhaling a deep, shaky breath in the process. "..I-.. S-sorry.."

"…Don't apologise. It's.. Difficult news. A lot to process, and i'm sorry for just… Arriving, and telling you without no kind of warning, but… You had to know, Sayuri. You had a right to know. I would have never kept it from you…" The admission is delivered with a small frown, watching as she wept.

"You have nothing to be sorry for." Eir murmurs, glancing to Bexy. "Either of you, for that matter. Better for you to cross paths with this woman, than Sayuri, unprepared. It… Is better we know. We are given time to think. Time to prepare…"

[Eir] ...Bexy is right, but that does not make her less upset, even if i understand the... Necessity of her actions. It will be okay. I am here. I will be, always.

Sayuri shook her head gently. "It's not your fault that my parents were awful.. and I'd much rather you tell me directly than I find out later, no matter how it makes me feel.." Her hand dropped down into her lap, despite that her tears weren't quite done falling. "And Eir is right, it's.. better, that I have time to think.. cause if she found me, I might've…" Her voice trails, the unspoken part not particularly hard to guess.

"…I know." Bexy agrees, ears wilted. She glances aside to the cosy room, taking in the small details of the kitchen. "…If it were my mother, i wouldn't entertain a single word. I'd have killed her, i'm certain, for all she put me through. If that's the course you want to take…" Bexy trails in return, half glancing back.

[Eir] Though i hold no love for my mother, i do not think i would be able to kill her. ...It is not for me to judge. I was not there, and i am all too aware of the grief she has endured.

That small realisation draws Eir's lips into a line, dismissing the expression with a small sigh through his nose. "…We have time to formulate whatever response you wish to give her." As Sayuri's tears still fell, he reaches to gently brush them from her cheeks. "…Even if it is a message to tell her you do not wish to see her. Or to give her every angry word she would no doubt deserve. It is your choice, Sayuri. Yours, and yours alone."

Sayuri tilts her head into Eir's palm as he dries her tears, a soft sigh escaping her. "Gods, I don't know.." She frowned. "I have.. so much anger towards that woman.. and on the same time.. so many questions.." Her ears flatten wholly, her free hand seeking out the other's forearm to pick at the ice that coats it. ".. I don't know what to do.."

"If you don't wish to face her, i can ask the questions in your stead." Bexy offers, brow knit. "I gave her a place and a time to meet, and failing that, she gave me her name. X'farraia… I can use it to find her on my own terms, i wager."

"…You have no need to jump to decisions. You can think on it…" Eir catches the way her hand moves to pick at the ice, instead taking her hand in his own at an attempt to prevent her hurting herself. "A little time. When the shock has settled, perhaps what you would like to do will be easier to decide…"

Her gaze falls to Eir's hand as it catches her own, opting to squeeze his in return. An ear twitches and her eyes snap to Bexy, offering a slow blink. "..X'farraia..?" She questions, brows furrowing.

"Y…Yes?" Bexy answers, with some quiet hesitation. "…That was the name she gave me, at least." She gives a long pause, then. "…She told me she was looking for her daughter. And her description matched you, before the change. A girl who would be an adult now, with red hair that faded to a brilliant white at the edges. The eye colour… The length of time you'd been gone. Everything. She mentioned Aoki's name, too -- With much the same revulsion you yourself would give him."

Eir's arms are wound protectively about Sayuri, though he listens to Bexy speak. Giving a gentle squeeze of her hands at the mention of her father, he doesn't add to the conversation, wishing not to interrupt.

A puzzled look overtakes her features, the grasp she has of Eir tightening at the mention of her father's name. ".. My mother's name is X'thynira." She spoke quietly. ".. I.. knew a woman with that name, though, but.. she was the mother of two of my half siblings.." There's a small pause, brows furrowing. ".. She was the one who tried to protect me when my mother wouldn't.."

"…Unless she's making some late attempt to adopt you… I don't know. She said her name was X'farraia, and that she was looking for her daughter, who couldn't have been anyone but you with her description. She was -adamant- you were her daughter, Sayuri. But if she tried to protect you…" Bexy trails, glancing to Sayuri in thought.

[Bexy] This makes an already difficult situation that much harder... ...So much we don't understand. Even i have questions of my own, now, but it's Sayuri's that are the important ones.

A thumb gently traces her hand, as Eir offers quiet comfort in the ways he can. He slowly traces her wedding ring as a quiet reminder, remaining close and ever present.

".. I wouldn't be surprised if my tribe simply thought I was dead, but.. X'farraia looking for me.. suggests she didn't give up on me." She fell quiet, her hand squeezing Eir's as her gaze fell to the floor anew - unvoiced thoughts swimming around in her head.

"I… Don't know. I wonder, if she has always been looking, or if something has caused her to search anew?" Bexy knits her brow, still curled into a small frown at her sister.

Eir lingers in the quiet, hand squeezing her own in kind as he offered what small comfort he could. "…Perhaps she is telling the truth." He begins, though it's almost hesitant. "…If she has been searching for you so long without answers… Most people after more than twenty cycles may lose hope, if not give up entirely. She is still looking, even now. She is… Tenacious. To the point of almost disbelief… Had i not known someone so dear to me, who held the exact same quality…" Eir makes some quiet attempt to reassure her with a smile, uncertain how she'd take the comment.

She offers a small shrug Bexy's way, glancing over to Eir as he speaks. A weak smile tugs at her lips, yet her ears remain low. "A quality shared, if that's the case.." She mumbled, sighing. ".. I remember her as quite the formidable woman, having no problems going toe to toe with X'aoki.." Her voice trails, gaze dropping again. ".. But if she is my mother.. why was I raised to believe X'thynira was..?"

"…Perhaps she has those answers. Perhaps not." Bexy pauses, considering. "…Midday, before the next full moon. This is when i told her to return, and i would share whatever information i had. That is… Whatever information you wanted me to tell her, if any. You have time yet, to think of what, if any, response you would like to give. And i would be happy to accompany you, if need be."

Eir furrows his brows a little, then. "…I will go too, if you would like me to."

[Eir] I won't let her go alone if she needs me. I am her Husband, i am supposed to be there for her, even in the most difficult moments. Not that i do not appreciate Bexy, but... It should be me, should it not?

A small glance from Bexy sees her shaking her head. "…Not to the Burning Wall you won't. In Thanalan?"

[Bexy] ...Has he gone mad? Husband he might be, but between the both of his even he knows well who the better combatant is. That's what we agreed on, wasn't it? I'll keep her safe. And he stays at home and ensures she's got nothing but love and comfort to return to. The last thing she needs is to worry about him, too.

Sayuri's gaze lift to Bexy, head sinking into a small nod. "I.. will need the time, I think.. and may end up taking you up on that offer, if I choose to go.." Her ears then twitch, the hand holding Eir's offering a small squeeze. ".. I don't want you in Thanalan, Eir.."

"It's why i picked the time i did. No one is fond of the Thanalan heat in the middle of the day, save those who live in it, or those unafflicted by it. As far away from dusk and dawn as it can be. Even if one of Grym's people see us arrive in Drybone, they would be foolish to follow." Her gaze flicks to Eir, sighing quietly. "You cannot move through the aether as we do. You'd have to go through Highbridge. If you want to look after her, stay safe."

Eir bristles a little at Bexy's words, but doesn't contend them. A little defeatedly, he nods to Sayuri, hand held firmly in hers, keeping whatever words he'd had to himself.

".. They are foolish.." Sayuri muttered, offering a small frown. ".. But it's a good plan." She gently brushed a finger along Eir's knuckles, sighing softly.

"If they're foolish enough to follow, any delusions of capturing you will be the last thing through their heads before one of my arrows." Slowly, Bexy rises to her feet, taking a deep breath. "…If you need me, i'm only a pearl call away, hm?" She reassures, smiling faintly.

Eir's gaze meets Bexy's. It's not an unfriendly look by any means, but there's a sliver of hurt. Still, he offers her a small nod.

[Eir] ...I know they are right, but that does not mean it does not sting. I... ...This is not the time to get wrapped up in my own inadequacies. She needs me.

Sayuri sinks her head into a faint nod. ".. Thank you."

"Worry not for it. Everything is in hand, and you need not rush a decision." Moving to the door, she looks over Eir, then. "…Look after her." She adds, offering a small wave, before slipping out of the door.

"I always do." Eir replies, though his gaze had drifted to the floor. The door closes, and a small sigh leaves him, before adding beneath his breath. "…At least, i try to…"

Sayuri's gaze trails to him, her body leaning closer as she sought to gently bump her head against his. "You succeed, Eir.."

Eir remains quiet for a while, gently nudging his head against hers. Ears a little wilted, he dismisses his thoughts, swallowing the lump that had climbed in his throat. "…Would you like something to eat…?" He asks, quietly.

She holds a brief silence of her own, ears drooping. ".. I.. don't feel hungry.." Her gaze lowers, head pushing against his a touch more firmly. "But.. I.. should probably try to eat something.."

"It need not be much. Fruit?" Eir asks, a little hopefully. "We could share a persimmon?"

Her head sinks into a small nod, thumb gently tracing his knuckles while his hand was still in hers.

He moves to leave, shifting his weight from the sofa. "I will be just a--…" Trailing, he looks to her with a frown, reluctant to let go. "…No." He adds softly, scooping her up into his arms, intending to take her with him.

[Eir] ...No. I would not let go of her. Not for a moment. Not now.

Sayuri's ears automatically flatten as he begins to withdraw, gaze lifting to him at his hesitation. She coils her arms around his neck as he scoops her up into his arms, burying her face against him in the process.

A few small paces see him to the door, pulling a heart-shaped key from a pocket to lock it, before making the steady descent downstairs. He pulls free a ripe persimmon from the bush as he crosses the room, immediately burying the both of them within the pillows and blankets. "I have you…" Eir whispers, cuddling her close.

She clings to him tightly, biting back a faint noise of upset that still managed to be heard, even if it was a mere squeak. She remains colder than usual, ice still coating her forearms. Her head pushes against him more firmly as they sink into the pillow pile.

"Shhh…" Eir hushes. Bundling her into his arms, he holds her close, pulling a blanket over the both of them. Tearing into the persimmon, chunks are pulled free, offering to her for her to take with her teeth. "I love you…" He murmurs, offering a soft smile. "…No matter what. I will be here for you, always."

"I love you too.. and I know.. I'm just.." Her voice trails, eyes threatening to well up again - something that's swiftly blinked away before she leans over to capture the persimmon chunk.

"…You are allowed to cry, my Moon…" Eir murmurs, a frown tugging his lips. "Better here with me than in some quiet moment alone. I… Know it is a lot to take in…" He gently pushes the persimmon to her lips, gently poking them in an affectionate way, before he repeats the same with his own.

".. I don't want to cry.." She whimpers, voice choking up a touch. Whether or not she wants to, she's clearly not far from it. She only steals a small bite from the persimmon, lips gently nudging back at his poking finger before it retreats to his own - a motion that curls a weak little smile onto her lips.

Eir finishes the piece of fruit, softening his smile as he saw her own. "Crying or no. I am here. Always…" He whispers, deciding to settle the fruit aside for the time being, but keeping it in reach. Instead, he pulls her close, head rested to her own. "…Do you want to talk about it?" He asks, helpfully. "…Or would you prefer to keep your mind from it, for the moment?"

Sayuri's arms drape around him more properly, dragging herself closer in the same move that he pulls her, head pushing against his gently. ".. I don't know what would help.." She half-whispers, frowning softly. "I just.. feel a little overwhelmed.. So many questions, and no answers.."

"…You can make a list of questions you would like to ask?" Eir murmurs against her, lips sidelong against her forehead as he delivers a little kiss. "I can write them down? Or… We can just stay like this. Calm and peace and… Anything you need. I am right here…"

Her ears elevate ever so slightly as he kisses her forehead, a soft sigh passing her lips. ".. You." Sayuri murmurs, her embrace tightening around him. ".. I need you.."

"…You have me." Eir whispers in reply, offering that sort of full-body embrace he'd occasionally imparted, giving a loving squeeze. Only when he relaxes after many long moments does he sigh, shifting her upwards to better see her face. "You will always have me, Sayuri. My love… My wife…" He smiles, gently caressing her cheek, thumb tracing over her lips as he gazed in adoration.

[Eir] Always. Not conditional on anything like her health, or her aether, or how she might be feeling or how difficult anything might become. I... Know i have a reputation for running, but... I am not going anywhere.

She returned the squeeze, face buried against him until he pulls her upwards. Her gaze settles upon him, head tilting into his caress and lips pulling into a thinner line after his thumb traces them, as if deliberately keeping her mouth shut to prevent herself from saying something, head gently nudging against his hand instead.

Eir's silver gaze meets with her own. He doesn't say anything, simply drinking in the moment, hand still offering a slow, steady caress. The thumb that traced her lip moves to her cheek, brushing the hair away to better see her. So close, Sayuri can no doubt feel Eir's heart race, as he gives a quiet, peaceful sigh. "…I love you."

Those three little words causes her lower lip to tremble, eyes shutting as tears once again began to well up in them while a shaky breath passes her lips. The wrap she has of him tightens significantly as she dips her head down, almost trying to make the hair fall back into place to hide her away despite that Eir brushed it away a mere few moments ago. ".. I love you too.." She managed to whisper, voice a touch choked.

"I always will. Always." Eir promises, though the waver of her voice has him worried. Arms curled around her anew, he pulls her close, lips pressed to her forehead. "…You are precious to me. And every sun that i wake beside you is a gift…" He takes a breath, but it's half choked in response, dismissed with a whisper of a laugh. "…I know i am not good with words, but… I love you, Sayuri. I am glad that we are married, and glad that i get to spend a lifetime with you. I love you…" He buries his lips against her skin, exhaling steadily between soft, stolen kisses. "…I love you. I love you…"

His words tears a sob from Sayuri's throat, one hand withdrawing to place itself over her mouth to muffle the sound, now unable to hold back the tears that squeeze their way past her eyelids. The arm still around him tightens, her ears rising a little higher for every sweet little thing he utters.

"Shh… You can cry as much as you need to. I am not going anywhere…" He rocks her gently in his arms, a hand raising to comb through her hair. "…Do you know how happy i was, the sun you agreed to marry me?" He asks, quietly. "…To know that i would be able to spend every single sun by your side?"

She rocks with him, hand leaving her mouth to let her arm wrap around him again as his fingers run through her hair. "..A-.. about.. as h-happy.. as me.. w-when you asked..?" She manages, sniffling weakly.

He huffs, almost shyly through a small smile, nodding as another kiss to her crown is settled. "Yes. Happy beyond words. Do you know the joy it brings me, to hear you sleepily ask me for pancakes in the morning?" He smiles against her, holding her close, still. "…Or to bundle into the blankets like we are now. Even little things like braiding your hair…"

Despite the tears, Sayuri manages a smile, a half-hearted huff of a laugh leaving her. "P-probably not.. accurately.. but I have an idea.." She smiles weakly, tightening her embrace.

"Then you know how much. How much I love you…" He sighs, gently stroking his fingers over her shoulder as he embraced her. "…I love you more than I can find words for." A gentle kiss is pressed to her cheek, smiling. "Perhaps why I enjoy kissing you so much…"

Her ears offered a faint twitch of a wiggle, head turning to let her press her lips against his own cheek in return, nuzzling against him. "I love you." She whispers, the choked tone she previously had now somewhat cleared up, the tears having come to a halt.

A soft, warm smile spreads over his lips at her words, chest fluttering at the kiss on his cheek. He pulls his head away for a moment to better see her, gazing in adoration before he moves in to meet his lips gently to her own, in a soft, sweet kiss. "I am proud to be your husband, Sayuri…"

She meets his lips gently, a soft, happier sigh leaving her. ".. I am proud to be your wife." She murmurs back in return, squeezing her arms around him.

He rests his forehead to hers, drinking in the moment as he held her beneath blankets. Her words bring a little colour to his cheeks, but he just smiles. "…I could stay here all sun." He laughs softly, "Cuddled up in blankets. Here, in our home…"

She offers a weary smile, eyes a little more narrow than usual from the crying. ".. I want to stay here.." She murmurs, nudging her head against his.

"We do not have to go anywhere. Not this sun…" He murmurs, tucking her close against him. "…We can stay here as long as you like. Rest, if you need to…"

She nuzzles into him as he tucks her close, burying her face against him to press herself closer, a low murmur of a sound escaping her in the process. ".. I'm a little tired.."

"Then rest, love…" Eir hushes. "I am not going anywhere. Perhaps when you wake, we can take a little walk, hm? Fetch some eel for dinner?" He gently combs his fingers through her hair, lightly scritching at her scalp.

Her head sank into a small nod against him, eyes shutting and a soft exhale escaping her. ".. It will serve to clear my head, too.." Her ears sink into a more relaxed state at the scritches.

"Mm-hm…" Eir murmurs, keeping his voice quiet. "I will be here, when you wake…"

Sayuri gently cuddles herself against him, shuffling to make herself more comfortable while pressing her head into him, a soft purr of comfort emitting as she began to drift.

[umbralsound-xiv]

OOC - I'm back!

Apologies for the little hiatus, between going for travels, being a little burnt out on FFXIVWrite and my work hours increasing, i've been a little quieter! Hoping to get back into the swing of things with posts and what have you soon! I've still got my banners and profiles to update since a few characters have changed around here and there, and i'm hoping to post ask sheets and send asks out for those who wanna interact!

[umbralsound-xiv]

Following The Trail.

Her steps are slow and purposeful, but unafraid; Even if there were many who wanted her dead in this reach of Thanalan, she was confident she could take them. Still, the walk over was uneventful, though she wouldn't let down her guard. Walking the path to Azeyma's mark, Bexy sighs as some weight seems to ease from her shoulders… Though she pauses, as another figure is already present.

I'm not used to having company, here. Of course, i'm certainly not the only person who pays her tribute. Even with the danger in this region, i'm not afraid. It's them who should be scared of me.

A Seeker stood in silence, bow and quiver equipped back turned in the approaching woman's direction while her hands were held before herself, idly fidgeting with a small length of worn fabric that she wove between clawed fingertips almost delicately, as if afraid to rip it. An ear turned faintly at the sound of footsteps, yet she doesn't quite turn around just yet.

She couldn't see her face. Bexy's eyes narrowed; The woman had surely heard her approach, but hadn't turned to face her. An enemy? Or perhaps simply another woman on a pilgrimage for her Goddess? Pausing for a few long moments, she speaks calmly, if not a little inquisitively. "It isn't often i see others here. You've come to pay tribute, perhaps?"

A small twitch of the woman's ears is accompanied by her head turning to the right, and shortly followed by a complete turn - a singular white eye falling atop of the one who had joined her, the left covered by a patch to keep it hidden from the universe. "I don't often get to make the journey here, my tribe ain't fond of the surroundin'…" There's a small pause as the woman considers her next word, which is almost hesitantly added. "… Civilization. But aye, payin' tribue.. Prayin'. I assume you're here for the same reason."

"…Something like that." Bexy nods, looking to the stone. "…I can't say the people in Thanalan are always the most friendly. Some less than others. But…" Out of the side satchel she held, Bexy offers out some few things to the foot of Azeyma's stone as she approaches. A single red rose, a blood-stained gil coin… And a bullet, that had clearly already been used. "…I ask for guidance more than i pray, these suns. But i always bring her an offering."

...No mark on her face. I don't think she's one of them, simply based on that she's got a bow and a quiver full of arrows. If she was one of them, she'd have gotten a vantage point, rather than meeting me in the open.

"My tribe has traded with some of the city-dwellers before, when necessity hit.. But most of 'em try to swindle their way out of deals already agreed upon. And almost always tryin' to deal with that." She nodded her head towards the offered gil coin, rolling a shoulder. ".. Which we don't have use for, so far off into the dunes." There's a pause as she listens, sinking her head into a small nod. ".. I feel like I beg her more often than pray, and I usually bring something for her if my visits are planned, but.. This one wasn't."

"…Coin is useful for those who want it to be. I use it as a token. Bright and round, and shiny. Any lump of metal would do. But it can't buy everything, no." A small tilt of her head then, as she regarded the woman. Older than her, for certain, but how much she thought it hard to tell. "…So this was an unexpected visit, then. What brings you so far from your people?"

Her gaze sinks back to the length of cloth that has continued to gently weave between her fingers, ears tilting backwards as a deep exhale leaves her. ".. I was lookin' for my daughter." Her voice lowers a touch at the admission. "I found a trail I was sure was hers, but.. It led to nothin'."

Bexy listens, watching as the woman frowned at the memory. Her icy gaze moves to the way her ears lower, painted lips downturned into a small frown of her own. "…I'm sorry." She begins, allowing the words to hang with some hesitation, before she adds. "…Was it… Here, that she was seen last? Slavers roam these roads. I… Hope she was not taken…"

...Not that i'd be surprised if they did. Woman. Man. Child. These people don't care who they get their hands on. I hope for her sake, it's something, anything else.

Her gaze darts back to her unexpected companion, ears lowering further. "Not.. Here, directly, but.. Closer to that bridge.." She lightly grit her teeth, letting her fingers ball up around the cloth strip. ".. No. She-.. She would've-.." She doesn't seem to fully know how to word it, eye shutting tightly. ".. She was always a fighter, my little girl.. I want to believe that she would've managed to escape, but truth is.. I don't know." Her eye peels open anew. ".. Fuckin' slavers.. I don't even know how to confirm her whereabouts.."

"…Tell me about her? Perhaps i've seen her… Or know someone that has?" Walking to join the woman, her eyes narrow in on the bridge, a small chill carrying in the wind. "…I know these parts well enough, and frequent them often. What was this trail you found?"

There's a small pause, as if she hesitates for a moment, only to exhale a deep sigh. ".. I know I'm gonna sound fuckin' nuts, but.. I haven't seen her, in a long time.. Not since she was still a kit.. She'd be an adult, now.." She frowns softly, glancing towards the bridge. ".. I found a trail of ice, left on a cliff-top just past the bridge, closer to the Shroud."

"Cycles, then…" Bexy offers no judgement, attention still honed on the faraway bridge. Taking a breath to speak, the next words catch her somewhat off guard. It's a visible affectation, enough for Bexy to step back, and her eyes to gaze down. "…Oh. I… Am sorry." Almost guilt ridden, her gaze lifts back up; a hand outstretched to demonstrate as she covered her digits in ice. "…That… Was me."

...Though i don't know this woman, i owe her nothing, something inside me felt... Terrible. The daughter she'd searched for, for so long... And the only trial she finds that gives her any hope was caused by me. ...I hope she didn't see the bodies.

There's a small pause, the woman's ears drooping in defeat as she simply stares at the icy digits for a moment, only for them to slowly rise once more. ".. What's your name?" She asks, a little more quiet, eye a little wider - some faint glimpse of hope lingering in it.

"…Bexy. Not… A very Miqo'te name, i know. But it's the only one i've ever had." She attempts to smile, though it's a little awkward, some hint of sympathy in her expression. "…Yours?"

She stares a little longer, a small sigh slipping out as that hope was snuffed out, clearly having hoped that Bexy was the very woman she had been looking for. "..X'farraia."

X. The Lynx tribe. Wait--- She was looking for a daughter?! Ice? ...Oh gods. This can't be real... It has to be a coincidence! A daughter she'd not seen since she was a child. Ice. Taken at Highbridge, and of the Lynx tribe...?

"X'…farraia…" Bexy utters, committing her name to memory. As the realisation sets in, her eyes slowly widen. "…The girl. Your… Daughter. You were following the ice?" She asks, cautiously, almost a little hesitantly. "…She was a child, last you saw her. How long ago?"

".. Aye." X'farraia breathes another sigh, slowly folding up the piece of cloth she has held onto to secure it in her pocket. "She.. was born plagued with an aetheric affliction, one that wasn't fully found until she was two. Any time she was upset, ice followed." Her arms folded before her chest, head dipping into a nod. ".. Twenty-four cycles ago, now. She was four when she.. went missin'.." Her ears flatten and teeth grit, the memory clearly sparking some amount of anger in her.

...She was taken. She didn't go missing, and this woman knows it. This woman is... She's... She... Can't be...?

Bexy stares at the woman, though averts her gaze for her expression not to be so obvious. But it's clear she's thinking. Slowly, her brow furrows, looking the woman in front of her over in a newer light. "I see." Bexy replies, reservedly. "And… What did she look like? On the off chance i know something? I have many contacts… Perhaps i could ask…?"

".. Pale. Like.. real pale. Red hair with white tips.." X'farraia gestured up to her own head, black hair woven into dreadlocks that eventually drains of colour and turns white. "White right eye and a blue left one, small scar up here.." Her hand raises to nudge at the left side of her forehead. ".. Her name's X'llaya.." Her voice trails a touch, brows furrowing. "..X'llaya Aoki." The second name is spoken with some amount of spite that the woman made no attempt to cover up.

....It's Sayuri. She's looking for Sayuri. Sayuri is her... Daughter? I couldn't tell her straight away. I don't know this woman, and don't trust her, and for all i know Sayuri wants nothing to do with her. I know her relationship with her blood family is about as good as mine, but... ...It's not down to me to make that decision. ...I'll learn everything i can.

Bexy stares, and swallows a lump in her throat, forcing her expression to look more inquisitive than stricken and vaguely alarmed as she had briefly done, before. "…X'llaya." Bexy repeats the name, though it's hard for her not to frown at the sound of it, though that expression is dismissed, too. "…It sounds… Passingly familiar…" Bexy falls quiet, though she soon adds, "…I can check my contacts, and see if anyone knows anything…?"

X'farraia's eye widens ever so slightly, the previous glimmer of hope making a return even if she hesitates - almost seeming fearful to completely commit to it. "I-.." She pauses, ears wilting. ".. Please."

"…I will do what i can." Bexy reassures, and already she's moving to depart with some unforeseen urgency. "…Midday, before the next full moon. I will return here, with what information i have?" She offers, head turned over her shoulder, taking in the details of the woman before her in some mute appraisal.

She turns after Bexy as she begins to depart, a hand raising to settle over her chest before her head sinks into an affirmative nod. ".. Thank you."

"…Until then… X'farraia." Bexy bids, turning on her heel and starting down the path; footsteps far faster than the ones that had brought her here.

...Gods, what am i supposed to tell her? How am i supposed to tell her? Sayuri's more than used to people looking for her, but this is a different situation altogether... Azeyma has a cruel sense of humour.

[umbralsound-xiv]

Prompt #30 - Two Heads Are Better Than One

Character: Vairg Age: 18 Location: The Golmore Jungle, 2, Seventh Astral Era Warnings: Violence

It was an almost feverish excitement that seemed to take the village; So many eyes trained on the path that the men would no doubt arrive from. So many faces, some having returned many times, and some for the first time since leaving as mere children.

But the one who lead them was not one they had expected to return. A tall, dark haired Viera with mismatched eyes, a sword at one hip, and a cloth sack at the other.

"Vairg...?"

The call of the woman was unexpected, a little confused. He'd been much, much smaller the last she'd seen him, always in the shadow of his brother. The dart of her gaze over his shoulder showed well who or what she might have been looking for, the small curl of Vairg's lips tugging annoyance and amusement, both.

"Lijon..?"

She asks, and he doesn't give her an answer. More of them men arrive, all of them far behind and away from Vairg, but none with the long golden hair that she and so many of the other women had searched for.

"---Vairg, where's---"

His mismatched gaze is narrowed in on her, lips curled into a sneer. "You'll have to shout him a lot louder than that if you want him to hear you."

He'd remembered her from all those cycles ago. The woman that doted on his brother, smothered him with praise and affection; The favourite. A shining example of the ideal Wood Warder, set to defend their village, and now expected to return and sow the seeds and pave the way for more of his like.

"LIJON?" The woman calls louder, the rest gathered at the arrival of the men. A feast had been prepared, the women washed and brushed and braided. She'd seen every single one of them arrive, before she turns back to Vairg in desperation.

"---Vairg, where is he? He said he'd come back, he said he'd---"

That sack that swung so ominously at his hip is unfurled, and out of it rolls a grotesque, bloodied object, coming to settle face-up in the dirt.

Lijon's lifeless face stares upwards, eyes glazed over, mouth agape. He'd had the mercy of having his head separated from his body after he'd passed, but the blood was still fresh. Blood clung to his handsome features, golden hair severed just below his chin.

The woman screams, but Vairg pays her no mind. The rest of the crowd back away slightly. He knew it deserved an explanation, at the very least.

"He saw to attack me in my sleep. I defended myself. They all saw it." he remarks, turning over his shoulder, watching the men. No one spoke up to refute him; no one dare.

"We do not suffer weakness to reign amongst our people. You told us. He told me, himself. But he fell to my blade."

He casts the head of his brother a glare, looking outward again.

"Lijon was weak."

He makes towards the village he'd left as a boy.

None dare to stand in his way.

[umbralsound-xiv]

Prompt #29 - Hunger (Extra Credit)

Character: Q'kura Age: 18 Location: Limsa Lominsa, 1572 Sixth Astral Era Warnings: None

Desperately skimming pages from beneath glasses, he's determined to finish the book before the light dies completely, tucked away at the top of the city, far from any kind of establishment. There were far too many people in the streets, leaving no focus for his studies, and time was of the essence.

He'd promised to be a good student when they took him in. The dusty grimoire at his side was well used, but well cared for. The glasses he'd purchased to read it with were from what little coin he'd managed to make; Though he had nothing, now.

Shelter was a luxury, but that was fine enough. He'd been used to sleeping outside in his tribe, either for a little peace, or for punishment. But in truth, there was another reason he'd picked this secluded spot, and it had little to do with privacy.

He'd tried to ignore the rumble in his stomach for two suns, now. Lost himself in books, in studies, anything to distract his thoughts from the occasional lightheadedness that plagued him. Now, it began to ache enough to hurt, and the small tug of panic in his throat brought tears to his bespectacled gaze.

What if he'd starve to death? He'd only prove his family right, not that they'd care; He'd left them in the middle of the night, and in more than a cycle never so much as heard a word that they'd attempted to look.

A deep breath, and he wipes his tears from his eyes with a sleeve, and focuses on finishing the final few pages.

He'd go back to the city proper tomorrow. There'd surely be someone in need of help, and he'd be able to soothe whatever wounds they'd have, in return for a few coins to feed himself, and some more practical application of what he learned.

[umbralsound-xiv]

Prompt #28 - Deleterious

Character: Bexy Age: 35 Location: The Black Shroud, Present Day Warnings: Mild Nudity

The scars had already faded, and it had been just a few short suns since she last took measure of the wound. Bath drawn, the steam simmers over the tub.

Divested of clothing, boots, gloves and coat are all set aside neatly on the bed, making her way to the bathtub. She's all set to climb in, managing a step halfway, perching on the edge of it before she stalls, reflection caught in her gaze.

Bexy was never a particularly vain woman. Sure, her appearance had ensured she'd gotten her way more than most, but in the end it was just as much a tool as anything else she wielded. Her eyes are the first things she always notices. Blue and almost too bright, and... Unnatural.

She sighs, quietly. She didn't dislike them, no. But some suns, they weren't even recognized as her own. They'd been purple when she'd been born, at least for the first twenty-something cycles of her life, and then... The aether took her.

Or, perhaps she'd taken it. Though she wasn't sure of the hazards then, she had taken that condensed aether, invited it into her system. She'd have wondered why it wouldn't have killed her, except so many other things had tried and failed all the same.

It took her eyes, first. Then the tip of her tail, wove threads into her hair. Now, bare skin on show, it had claimed more of her, since.

From her feet a little above her ankles. Both hands, almost to the elbows. She'd kept her fingernails painted to retain some kind of normality, but she'd long since accepted that it was never going to revert back to the way it was. Even now, features bereft of the little makeup she wore, the pallid hue of her lips curled in a small frown.

She'd been given five cycles to live, a short while ago. And while the progression had halted, she couldn't shake the feeling she was living on borrowed time.

Glancing to her reflection once more, she opts to stick her feet into the water, sinking into the bath.

She was here now, until further notice. Plenty of other things had tried to kill her.

Why would her aether be any different?

[umbralsound-xiv]

Prompt #27 - Memory

Character: Vairg Age: 27 Location: Eastern Thanalan Warnings: None

Sleep was seldom a difficult thing for him, but even he found himself alone with his thoughts on occasion. Still reclined in the armchair, only with both legs draped sidelong across the arm, Vairg let his head hang from the other side.

He'd no idea of the time, and hadn't much cared to find out. A walk didn't seem appealing. Mismatched eyes glance to the dying embers of the fireplace with a long sigh through his nose. Pulling himself from the chair, he reaches for more firewood. At least with a little light, he could do something productive.

The small scrape of knife against wood is heard not so much longer afterwards. He'd carved one of each piece for play, almost halfway done with the first side. He'd learned chess sometime before joining, after watching the same two people in a bar play for some bells. From it, he'd surmised the rules.

Though, there was no one beneath the roof of the compound that would humour him with it. Another small scrape of the knife takes another sliver of wood away from the shape, though he loses his grasp on the piece, skittering away on the stone floor.

A small bubble of anger boils in his throat. Two fingers less than he'd had before, some phantom ache sings in his hand in a place he can't itch, little and ring fingers absent even beyond the knuckle. He'd considered driving the point of the knife into the scarred flesh in a hope it would sate it, or sticking the limb into the flames, but it would all be for nothing.

Itching, tingling, and a sharp, icy-cold. How could he have been so stupid? He'd been marked before, scarred by lessons hard learned, but to be impaired so permanently?

Another annoyed huff, as he moves from the armchair again to retrieve the fallen piece. His hand still ached, but he'd ignore it; The sensation would leave, eventually.

[umbralsound-xiv]

Prompt #26 - Zip

Character: Bexy Age: 35 Location: The Black Shroud, Present Day Warnings: None

A shoulder half shrugged from her shirt, she traces the fading line with a frosted index, discoloured skin on show with the removal of her gloves.

She'd been shot thrice. Thrice in the same arm, for a strange mercy, but almost any trace of the wound was gone, now. Ghosts of stitchmarks still sunk into her skin, but they too would fade with the rest.

Honestly, it hadn't been that long. A moon or so. Any normal person would have still been sore, the scars still angry little zigzags from surgery no matter how talented their healers might have been.

These scars, too, would fade like the rest, ebbing into nothingness.