amarathcrne

[amarathcrne]

There was a sense of relief Amara felt in his reply, as though she could drop the façade that enveloped her around the long-gone guests. Once the last of the dishes were away, the mage turned around and took in his presence. He did not look like any of the regulars she had served before.

Almost imperceptible, her eyes flickered to an open stool at the bar before her, inviting him to take a seat. In moments she had filled an empty tankard with dark ale and leaned against the bar on both elbows, fingers idly drumming against the cup. Her eyes studied him for a moment, his dark hair and golden eyes... wondering. Was he in need of safe passage – or did he merely seek a moment of solitary in the darkened tavern?

"A glass for a truth?" Amara offered, setting the cup down before him. "I'm curious what brings you here to drink on your own."

While many in Novegrad were living in fear around every corner, others celebrated the victories of the Eternal Flame. It carried well on to the evening but by the time the witcher had returned inside the city, the kingfisher inn was emptying out. He kept his head down, waiting for the last to wander out in a drunken stumble before going to the tavern door and opening it.

Kaedon's presence was immediately noted, though the woman's back was to him and informed him the celebrations of the evenings were over. Oh, good, he had missed all the fun, he thought sardonically. he was hoping for that. "I am not seeking out the celebrations," He offers, hoping that will at least keep him from being sent away. The witcher had heard something in the tone in which she spoke. "If you do not mind, I seek only a quiet place for a drink."

[amarathcrne]

For six months Amara had put down her roots in Novigrad, and yet her efforts were as fruitless as the trees whose timber scorched before her eyes. The Eternal Flame haunted the city. Signs of its growing numbers were everywhere, but still she felt two steps behind. And as the mage watched the flames with morbid curiosity, a teasing display of what she could so clearly see but not grasp, she could not help but feel a sense of defeat.

It wasn't until a voice came from the silence that Amara realized the two were completely alone, and the flames that seemed so lively moments ago were ash. She was surprised to see the familiar face before her, and memory washed over her of a job long ago. Of another defeat.

"Under normal circumstances I would decline, but I don't think I could pass up a drink tonight. It is certainly colder than most." The mage silently racked her brain for an answer to the mercenary's presence. Was he looking for someone? "I have to admit I wasn't expecting to see you in Novigrad. So what brings you here: business or pleasure?"

For: Everyone

With his eyes closed, the smell of the fire transported him back to the centuries of war, death and destruction. When Týr first arrived to the city he had foolishly hoped to leave this nightmare behind, but it seemed that the smell of death would always linger in the air, no matter how much time passed. Finally, he opened his eyes and blinked a few times, as if that would be enough to blot out the scene before him.

The flames were already extinguished and the people who had surrounded him were already gone, except for one person whom he was lucky enough to already know, he was not sure he could share this moment with a stranger. It took Týr a while to find his words, but when he did, he addressed them in a rough voice: "You must be cold and hungry. I live not far from here and have both food and drink."

[amarathcrne]

The one thing Amara couldn't stand about cities like Novigrad was the constant suffocation. It was one thing to be constantly surrounded by bustling streets and noisy taverns, but it was something else entirely to hide her magic. The mage's power gave her a needed sense of control, and she couldn't ignore the feeling that by bottling it up for so long it might burst. So, she found herself strolling along the back alleys of the town, looking for a much needed escape.

Even in midday this part of town was fairly quiet, and for that the mage was grateful. However, the feeling was short-lived, and turning a corner Amara stopped herself short before colliding with the other's quick arm. Any other time she may have protested, but curiosity rose quickly within her, and she pressed herself against the doorway beside the blonde with wide, searching eyes. "Who are you hiding from?"

Time: Midafternoon Location: Back alleys of Novigrad Open!

Umaia kept herself pressed to the rough stone of the doorway, the grey-blue of her cloak and tunic blending in with the pallid stonework of the city and providing her a modicum of cover from any bystander that might spare her a glance. Further down the alley her trap lay primed and ready. 

A niggling voice in the back of her head, that sounded an awful like her waspish mother who, delightfully, was deceased, told her she had better things to occupy her time with. Frankly, Umaia disagreed. 

As the time neared, she felt herself tense in giddy anticipation, only to hiss as a figure appeared in her peripheral. She stuck her arm out, barring their path before gesturing beside her in the large doorway. “You’ll fucking ruin it. Hide.”

[amarathcrne]

Location: The Kingfisher Inn For: Open

It was unsettling to see how something so pure could be tarnished by those with alternative agendas. As a child, Amara found comfort in her family's modest celebration of Imbaelk – the flames of rebirth that were followed by the blossoming of wildflowers all around their home. But now, the sacred time lent itself to manipulating the masses into blind faith and fire that sought not to wash away the darkness of winter but instead all the light and magic from the world. To eliminate chaos – hers included.

The tavern had also been especially busy, filled with townsfolk, countrymen and followers of the Eternal Flame all alike raising their tankards in cheerful glee and singing songs that became muddled and mumbled as the night went on. Amara was relieved when the crowd died down and the last of the customers were on their way out. She had picked up on some important information on recruitment for the Eternal Flame, but not enough that made her current labors any more favorable.

As the mage finished tidying up, she inwardly cursed at the sound of the tavern door opening. "If you were hoping to catch any final performances of Imbaelk's celebratory songs, then I'm sorry to say you just missed it," Amara said, her back still turned toward the door while she stacked a few stray dishes. "But," she added, hoping to mask her displeasure, "I'm sure they'll begin again bright and early tomorrow."

[amarathcrne]

[ adelaide kane, cis woman, she/her, 30/125 ] we've followed [ AMARA THORNE ] for awhile now, the [ MAGE ] has been in Novigrad for [ SIX MONTHS ]. they're known to be [ CUTTHROAT ] and [ STRONG-WILLED ]. We find it fascinating that after all these years they [ DON'T WORSHIP ] the gods. They often remind us of [ CHAOS CONCEALED BY BEAUTY, THE SMELL OF EARTH AFTER RAIN, FLAMES SNUFFED OUT AT MIDNIGHT ]. Our thread has already been woven on what their future is looking like, but we're eager to see the [ MERCENARY / KINGFISHER INN WORKER ] experience it.

GENERAL

name: amara thorne age: 30/125 species: human, mage gender: cis woman pronouns: she/her sexuality: bisexual occupation: mercenary, worker at kingfisher inn

HEADCANNONS

Amara was raised in Aedirn in a little countryside cottage just outside of Aldersberg. Her family were farmers who brought their produce and cattle to the market every week, and she grew up helping out on the farm and learning about all of the different plants around her. It was a quiet, humble life, but she loved having the freedom to be around nature and spend time with loved ones.

Her parents had noticed Amara's unique traits and attempted to conceal it from her and the world - not because of any dislike for magic, but because they did not want to lose their only child. However, they knew she needed to learn to control her chaos, and soon after Amara was sent to Aretuza where she learned to control her power and finally saw what she was truly capable of. Back then, she had high hopes of using magic to make the world a better place... not knowing how immoral the world truly was.

After Aretuza, Amara became a royal advisor for Lyria, serving two generations of kings. It was there that she learned even more about the state of the world and how to use her wits to manipulate the ambitions of men.

However, after enough time aiding and protecting the interests of greedy men against her own wishes, she left her esteemed position. She did enjoy the power and prestige of her role, how she could use her newly-developed cunning nature to achieve almost impossible goals, but a lifetime of covering up immoral deeds was not what she desired. And over time the world and the work had hardened her.

Amara still carried enough influence from her position and desired to continue to make a difference in the world, so she became a mercenary, accepting only jobs that targeted those who were truly monstrous and evil.

While a mercenary with a code is usually not one that is paid well, the mage's connections allowed her to discretely create a lucrative career where she is able to eliminate evil men and erase immoral deeds to make the world a better place... which is how she ended up in Novigrad.

Despite leaving Lyria decades ago, she remained strategic ties with the kingdom that has now given Amara her most important assignment to date: to unmask and kill the leader of the Eternal Fire.

Now, Amara is in Novigrad working at the Kingfisher Inn where she hopes to learn more about the religious cult in addition to being able to help her own kind, mages, flee the city to safety through the inn's tunnels.

PERSONALITY & EXTRAS

++ strong-willed, clever, sharp-witted, passionate, loyal, resourceful

-- cutthroat, cunning, stubborn, headstrong

One could easily argue that being a mercenary and hoping to better the world are opposites, but Amara believes that the ends do justify the means. Just as Witchers kill monsters for a living, so does she... only a different kind of monster.

She may appear a bit cold, but this is mainly due to her current line of work and past as a political advisor in Lyria. She always feels as though she needs to have her guard up, but with those she cares about she lets loose and is herself again.

She is a fiercely loyal friend and ally, but once an enemy it is hard for her to ever see someone differently.

When composed, Amara can be cunning and strategic but rash and impulsive when angry, especially if it's about someone she loves. The girl is a fighter (literally) but with a ~moral compass~

In another world, she wishes she never had magic and could live in that very same small cottage she grew up in - with someone she loved and spending every day reading and tending to plants

Those she went to Aretuza with will know what she is truly like. There, Amara was able to let loose and probably got into all kinds of trouble - and that troubled streak definitely didn't disappear.

WANTED CONNECTIONS

closest friends: this trio became Amara's family back at Aretuza, and not much has changed. no matter where they are in the world, she would do anything for her friends. (satya milva, open)

ex-fling/lovers: as a mercenary, amara never stays in one place for too long. maybe these two fell in love or had a fling. maybe there's something unresolved there, whether it be love or hatred. either way, it definitely was a surprise to find this person at novigrad. (open)

enemies: open to plotting (open)

love/lovers: could be enemies to lovers, new love... anything! I'm always a sucker for angst, so very open to plotting this (open)

unlikely friends: there's no way these two would get along, and somehow Amara has found herself enjoying their company. (open)

the threat: someone who may have known her from her work as a mercenary or royal advisor (could have hired her in the past), but this knowledge is a threat to her current position right now. they could become confidants or someone she sees as a loose end she needs to get rid of. (open)

new friends: open to plotting (open)

anything and everything!!

[amarathcrne]

EVERY MARY STUART OUTFIT [4/∞]  » Pilot: (1.01)

[amarathcrne]

I need solitude. I need space. I need air. I need the empty fields round me; and my legs pounding along roads; and sleep; and animal existence.

Virginia Woolf, The Diary of Virginia Woolf (via thatkindofwoman)

[amarathcrne]

amara thorne tag dump !!