lauscanis

[lauscanis]

Her spine has long since gone rod-straight, gooseflesh taking claim of her skin. She had seen both of them in separate spaces; knew, in a distant sort of way, that they were all here. That this was possible.

Though that didn't seem real at all. This doesn't. Marni shifts her weight from one suddenly too-heavy greave to the other, eyes darting from one's godawful grin to the other's somehow worse glower.

"Uh, yeah... Yeah. I got it."

Grateful for the distraction, Marni pivots on her heel as directed. It's a real mess in here, all smoke and rubble and noises of pain too near to be ignored. She tries not to think too hard about the way her fingers tremble as they curl around a smaller chunk of what probably used to be a wall, to prevent herself from turning back and looking long enough at her old family to remember that she misses them.

With a huff, the debris is hefted up and into her arms. Eyes straight ahead, she walks it a few yards away before dumping it on the floor and returning for another.

Rinse and repeat. Easy. Just tune out their voices, pretend they aren't there. They aren't there. They aren't there.

Her fingers slip, the splintered corner of an old shelf falls from her arms with a crack. It's instinct to jerk her head to the left, to draw her shoulders closer and wait for someone to chide her.

For one miserable moment her gaze locks with Zephia's. Marni swallows. You're not hers to scold anymore.

She fumbles to find her hold once more, to look at anything other than her.

"What does it matter?" She grumbles, kicking the freshly discarded piece of wood. "We're not here to heal them, anyway. We're here to move all this crap."

Lips screw into a frown, staring down at where her boot has added another crack to the wood's grain. "Not like anyone else is helping."

Broken Pieces Never Fit Again [Four Hounds]

Fracture | Faith +1

[lauscanis]

She feels shy.

Marni wrings her hands, taking in the girl before her as though she cannot decide whether to be shocked or afraid. Or nervous. Griss is here, Zephia and Mauvier too, so why wouldn't Veyle?

But then no number of privately rehearsed monologues for this very meeting have done much to prepare her. All the time that she has spent mumbling declarations of her loyalty and pleas of forgiveness to herself is wasted entirely, spoiled by a single sentence.

"H-Hey, Lady Veyle..."

Of all the things she expects, the possible reactions she has run over in her one-too-many made up reunions, this... wasn't exactly one of them.

Marni blinks, taking a clumsy step back from the girl before her. Now she is even less sure of herself than before, if that's even possible. "Me? Uh... Probably because I am Marni?"

There are questions begging to be asked-- words that have wanted to be spoken since that boat ride with Mauvier and the Divine Dragon. They threaten to tumble out now, clumsy and unsure but so desperate to be spoken. Marni swallows as though that will keep them back, raising shaky hands as though in surrender.

"Listen, Lady Veyle, I dunno what happened after... after..." After I died. "But I promise it's me. The same me, anyway. Not that you probably want to talk to me after all that bad stuff back home, but..."

Damnit, Marni. Focus.

"Yeah. Anyway. I don't know how I got here or- sheesh- how I'm alive at all. But I'm me. I think."

ghost of fell past — marni & veyle

[lauscanis]

They're having all the fun without her.

Marni hops from one boat to the next, knocking them carelessly about in the raging sea of waves. Evidently, she had been taking solid ground for granted. This sucks.

Sophrosyne 9.5/20HP uses Crushing Waves! (Roll: 2; Marni is not drowning)

"Hey! Watch it-"She squawks as the hunk of wood beneath her thrashes. Inconsiderate turtle.

Arrows sing overhead, drowned out by the low groan of their final monster. Azama can call her whatever he wants-- this thing is damn horrendous. Not that Marni thinks a guy wearing a suit to a turtle-fight is really one with an opinion worth listening to.

She barks a laugh at Eirika's remark. "Heh, turtle kisser."

Another wave crashes against her, knocking her back against the boat's wall. Yeah, fair enough.

"Alright, alright," as she stands, all gusto to hide the way her knees wobble, "my turn!"

Marni hits Sophrosyne with Nimble Combo (Roll: 15, 12, 13, 3, crit x3, barely hit! -1.5; Barrier 4.5/6HP) 

Her trusty gloves are back, which is good. It means she'll cleave right through this stupid thing's stupider shell. Or she should. She definitely should. It should be dead by now.

Should be. Definitely isn't.

Marni looks up from the turtle's shell. "Uh... guys?"

Sophrosyne 4.5/20HP uses Crushing Waves! (Roll: 1; Marni is not drowning)

"...oops."

the beach episode

[lauscanis]

♡ ˚· @starrook asked:

whatever gods that made the arena seem to have a thing for jokes. he's taken out effortlessly by the monsters, while the rest of his allies handled this fight with effective teamwork and impressive strength. there was no picking up alcryst's slack: he had nothing to give in the first place. when alcryst reunites with his teammates, it takes everything in his power not to seem more defeated than usual. and yet... seeing marni celebrated by the others stirs a petty, childish rage within him. if they knew your crimes, would they want anything to do with you? he wants to ask. but seeing those bright smiles and cheer among them... it would be selfish to go out of his way to ruin it. he wouldn't even feel happy doing so. "marni," alcryst calls as he approaches her. it takes a second for him to find the words. "you, um.... you did good back there."

She's not exactly sure that she's happy to see him standing again. If her smile wavers as he approaches, her carefree demeanor suddenly finding itself a bit more guarded, Marni hopes he doesn't notice.

But the boy before her isn't exactly the aggressive, angry thing he had been when the battle still raged. She blinks, waiting for something else-- insult, accusation, a punch in the face maybe.

Nothing comes. Marni looses an awkward laugh, gaze dropping his in a manner almost sheepish.

"Oh, uh, thanks..." She'd been planning to laugh at him, to rub his nose in the fact that she won. Emblem Eirika had thanked her, what more did she need to prove that she was better now?

But then she would feel kind of bad doing all that if he wasn't the one being mean first. She rubs the back of her neck, woefully unsure of what exactly to say. You too wouldn't really cut it, all things considered.

"I'll watch your back this time, 'kay? Keep you out of the way of giant demon-things. Promise."

[lauscanis]

Thank you? Had she heard that right? From an emblem?

Oh, she was so going to rub this in Zephia's face. And Griss's. And probably that little Brodian Prince's too. What could possibly prove her more trustworthy than being thanked by an emblem?

Not that she gets a whole lot of time to gloat now, of course, because the earth becomes awash with flame and- "Gah!"

Flames! -1HP, -1DEF, -1RES; Marni 9/10HP Vantage! Hegemon Husk counterattacks Marni with Twin Crest Power [Roll: 16-4 = 12; -4, Marni 6/10HP] Desperation! [Roll: 2-4 = -2; Miss!]

"What, hellfire not enough for you, ya big bully?" She brushes embers off her sleeve, mouth curled into a frown. "Yeah, I'll finish if off alright."

With a cry, she lunges. If she misses here it'll be over for her, she's sure. Which would certainly suck, especially considering how damn close they've come. Marni decides she can't miss, she can't let everyone down. Not when they're all watching, when their victory is in her hands.

Backup! Naesala hits Hegemon Husk [ -1, Hegemon Husk 4/10HP] Marni 6/10HP hits Hegemon Husk 4/10HP with Nephenee Gloves [Roll:19; -3.5, Hegemon Husk 0.5/10HP] Marni 6/10HP hits Hegemon Husk 0.5/10HP with Nephenee Gloves [Roll:13; -5.5; Hegemon Husk 0/10HP]

Oh, they are so gonna praise her for this.

The demon cries as it crumbles, turning to a pile of ash before her. It smears over her face, coats her borrowed clothes, her magic gloves, but she couldn't care less. Marni watches as it goes, eyes glittering with pride.

Hegemon Husk has been defeated! 

"Now, what was that I was saying about saving thanks for the end-?"

/fin.

plus two, skip, reverse back to me

[team 7 silver round]

[lauscanis]

One more down, just one left.

Marni flashes a grin towards Emblem Eirika. She'll show her just how sharp she can be! (And maybe impress an emblem in the meantime... bet Zephia would never believe that.)

Marni 10/10HP heals Eirika 5/10HP with Physic [Roll: 1; +1HP, Eirika 6/10HP].

"Leave it all to me!"

Backup! Naesala hits Hegemon Husk [-1; Hegemon Husk 9/10*HP] Marni 10/10HP attacks Hegemon Husk with Nimble Combo [Rolls: (15, 13, 17, 14)-4 = 11, 9, 13, 10; -1.5, -3.5, -5.5, -7.5 = 18! Hegemon Husk 0/10*HP] Hegemon Husk 0/10*HP uses multi health bar, Hegemon Husk 10/10HP.

The fact that the thing still stands at all is impressive, the empty crimson of its eyes only seeming to glow brighter and brighter with every blow. "Yeah? Pissed off? Tch-"

She flexes her fingers. "It's almost over, c'mon!"

@corvuschriisti dance white boy dance

plus two, skip, reverse back to me

[team 7 silver round]

[lauscanis]

They praise her. They praise her and, for a moment, Marni gets to forget about all the blood that stains the ground she walks on. She is doing amazing-- she can do anything.

She spins on her heel, smirking up at the big, ugly demon that had swatted Alcryst out of the sky.

Marni 10/10HP heals Azama 3/10HP with Physic [Roll: 18; +6HP, Azama 9/10HP]. Hands of Fate Roll: [1] Hegemon Husk Backup! Naesala hits Hegemon Husk [ -1, Hegemon Husk 9/10HP**] Marni 10/10HP hits Hegemon Husk 9/10HP** with Nephenee Gloves [Roll:1-2; -1; miss] Marni 10/10HP hits Hegemon Husk 9/10HP** with Nephenee Gloves [Roll:7-2; 5; -2.5; Hegemon Husk 6.5/10**HP] Hegemon Husk 6.5/10**HP counters with Twin Crest [Roll:1-4, 3; miss!]

Her hands do so little, but she stumbles backwards undeterred. A burst of magic arcs wide, sailing right past her. Marni barks out a laugh.

"Ugly and stupid, huh? Tch, let's get this over with."

Naesala caws at her back, and it is all the encouragement she needs to shoot forward again.

Hands of Fate [1] Hegemon Husk 6.5/10**HP Backup! Naesala hits Hegemon Husk [-1, Hegemon Husk 5.5/10HP] Marni 10/10HP hits Hegemon Husk 5.5/10** [Roll:10+2, 12; -2.5HP and -2res, Hegemon Husk 3/10**HP] Marni 10/10HP hits Hegemon Husk 3/10**HP [Roll: 7+2, 9, -4.5HP; Hegemon Husk 0/10**HP] Hegemon Husk 0/10**HP uses multi health bar, Hegemon Husk 10/10*HP. Hegemon Husk gains Desperation!

The thing wails, a hollow sound that rattles in its gnarled ribcage. It sounds almost pained, though Marni wonders if such a monstrosity as this thing can feel pain at all.

She thinks she'd prefer it that the answer be no.

Black Beast 5/10 attacks with Ruinous Thorns! [Roll: 1-1 = 0HP; Marni 10/10HP]

Vines begin to thrash again, as though angered by her. They don't reach for her, though, seeking instead to lash at her allies. Marni curses. Won't this thing just give up already?

plus two, skip, reverse back to me

[team 7 silver round]

[lauscanis]

It wouldn't exactly be the weirdest thing to happen in this place, but it's certainly not like Marni expects to see her new friend turn into a bird.

Or, well, do whatever it is that he's doing as a bird. But she'll have time to ask about all that later. With a determined nod, she prepares to do it all over again.

Marni 9/10HP heals Azama 4.5/10HP with Physic [Roll: 4; +1, Azama 5.5/10HP]

It's just a shoddy burst of magic that is thrown his way, for she's jittering with far too much adrenaline to slow down and offer a proper heal. Who could blame her? She's always been a fighter first, it's just natural.

And so she turns, letting the magic in her gloves decide their enemy once more.

Hands of Fate roll: [3] Umbral Beast

Not a second wasted, Marni darts forward. She hits it once, twice, once again awed by how lethal these little scraps of fabric seem to be. Maybe they're not fabric at all-- they certainly feel a little weird to be-- but she'll add that to the list of things to worry about later.

Backup! Naesala hits Umbral Beast [-1; Umbral Beast 7/10HP] Marni 9/10HP hits Umbral Beast  7/10HP with Nepenthe Gloves [Roll: 12-2 = 10; -2.5, Umbral Beast 4.5/10HP. Barrier does not proc.] Umbral Beast is inflicted with -2 res for 1 turn. Marni 9/10HP hits Umbral Beast 4.5/10HP with Nepenthe Gloves [Roll: 18-2 = 16; -7, Giant Crawler 0/10HP. Barrier does not proc.] Umbral Beast has been defeated!

The thing howls as it crashes down against the ground. Marni swivels back to face her teammates, hulking corpse behind her, and plants her hands on her hips. "Alright, you guys had to have seen it this time, c'mon!"

It takes her a moment to notice the way the ground shudders beneath her. The monster losses a low, mourning sound, and energy surges forth from it.

Umbral Surge is activated! / Marni: 2-4 = -2; Miss! 

She ducks away just in time, breathing heavy, but it would seem she'd just gotten lucky. Guilt creeps up the back of her neck. "A-at least it's dead, heh... right?"

plus two, skip, reverse back to me

[team 7 silver round]

[lauscanis]

These things waste no time.

Black Beast uses Ruinous Thorns [Roll: 2-1= 1; -1HP, Marni 9/10HP]

Marni yelps as vines lunge at her, coming from nowhere and yet everywhere all at once. Thorns catch on the scraps of fabric that the arena has afforded her, draw thin lines of crimson on her arms, her cheek. She crushes one under her heel, teeth gritted.

"What's the deal? Geez, someone get these damn plants under contr-oh."

It's not towards her that the things crawl, but Marni realizes rather quickly why nobody else had seemed quite as eager to complain about the vines as her. Four hulking creatures descend upon her allies, knocking them about as if they weigh no more than dolls.

She watches with wide eyes, unable to look away. First that weird guy, then Emblem Eirika, then-

Nausea hits her like a wave. Time seems to slow as the body of a pegasus streaks white towards the grown, wings gone still and rider knocked from its back. She flinches at the thud as it hits the ground, tries rather helplessly to think of anything other than what might have become of that boy.

Swallowing the bile in her throat, Marni turns towards what she still can save.

Marni 9/10HP heals Azama 0.5/10HP with Physic [Roll: 13; +4, Azama 4.5/10HP]

"So, about that thanks from earlier..."

There's not really a whole lot of time for it, though. Those ugly beasts are far from satisfied. She waves a hand. "Just save it for the end-!"

But the arena hasn't given her a weapon this time. Instead, all she's got is a pair of gloves that radiate with some sort of magic. Sheesh, did they not get the memo that magic is totally not her thing at all?

Whatever. She can punch something, at least. That part's easy. All she needs is a target...

Hands of Fate roll: [3] Giant Crawler

Bingo!

Marni 9/10HP hits Giant Crawler 7/10HP with Nepenthe Gloves [Roll: 9-2 = 7; -2.5, Giant Crawler 4.5/10HP. Barrier does not proc.] Giant Crawler is inflicted with -2 res for 1 turn. Marni 9/10HP hits Giant Crawler 4.5/10HP with Nepenthe Gloves [Roll: 11-2 = 9; -4.5, Giant Crawler 2/10HP. Barrier does not proc.] Giant Crawler has been defeated!

It's her turn to lunge now. The thing hisses at her, but whatever magic is in those gloves seems to be quite effective. Marni steps back, shaking out her hands with a grin.

"Now that's how it's done! Did... anybody see that?"

plus two, skip, reverse back to me

[team 7 silver round]

[lauscanis]

"Switch sides?" Marni frowns up towards what she had thought was her friend. Wouldn't be the first time, she supposes. "Oh, whatever. Can we be done with this now?"

With a huff, she takes the opportunity to duck past Emblem Eirika and Alcryst while they've got the thing distracted. She isn't all too interested in having another run in with its teeth, anyhow.

"Sheesh, you look like you've seen better days." She sticks out her hand, which grows warm with yet another thing she's never been able to do before in her life.

Marni 9/10HP heals Azama 4/10HP with Recover [Roll: 9; +4, Azama 8/10HP]

"There! All- er... almost all better! No need to thank me or anything!"

by the toes//

team 7 - bronze round

[lauscanis]

This time, the beast does in fact lunge for them.

Gricenchos 12.5/20HP critically hits Naesala 10/10HP with Fearsome Fangs [Roll: 20 - 2 = 18; -5 (Chain Guard activates), Naesala 10/10HP Marni 8/10HP]

Marni is quick to shove her way in front of Naesala. The tiger knocks against her, earning her what she is certain will be a nasty bruise, but it is not so easily deterred. No sooner has she been batted out of the way then does it attack once more, sinking fangs proper into her friend this time.

"Sorry!!" She calls towards him as it retreats, sheepish, but its short-lived as her head snaps to Azama's voice.

"Lover's what? Me? Him? Hah, could you imagine?" Though no match to Alcryst's own, her cheeks flare hot. She waves a dismissive hand. "We're fine, it's fine! Don't worry about us. Let's just... uh..."

Suddenly, she is overjoyed to have possession of this book.

Alcryst 8/10HP hits Gricenchos 13.5/20HP with Backup [-1; Gricenchos 12.5/20HP] Marni 8/10HP hits Gricenchos 12.5/20HP with Nosferatu at range [Roll: 17+1 = 18; -1 Gricenchos 11.5/20HP] Marni 8/10 heals +1 from Nosferatu [Marni 9/10HP]

Magic bolts forward from her tome, not too far behind another strike from the Brodian's sword. The beast howls, arcane energy sparking on its fur. With a whistle Marni tucks her book beneath her arm and makes a show of dusting off her hands.

Never mind that she's never used magic before now; clearly she's a natural.

by the toes//

team 7 - bronze round

[lauscanis]

She swallows as Alcryst shoves past her, trying to ignore the disappointment it breeds. His words sink like daggers into her skin, waver the smile that strains on her lips. She'll prove him wrong. She has to.

But, contrary to her prediction, the tiger ignores Naesala completely. She watches with nothing short of horror as its teeth close around Alcryst instead. So much for proving him wrong.

With an airy laugh that does precious little to dispel her nerves, Marni rights her posture once more. She's totally got this still, even if that boy looks like he'd rather be aiming at her, or Emblem Eirika is looking at her like she's some rowdy child.

It's fine. It's all gonna be fine. Sheesh, she really wishes they'd given her some armor and an axe instead of... a book and a staff.

"Huh? Oh- heh, yeah, will do." She hasn't the slightest clue what Naesala just called the young prince, but it sure sounds funny. She'll have to use that sometime.

Arrows sing, earning a roar of pain from their foe. Marni's grin finds her face once more.

Marni 10/10HP uses Chain Guard on Naesala.

"Now that's more like it!" This time she's sure that the big ugly thing is coming straight for her new bird friend. She cracks her knuckles.

"You watching? I've totally got this!"

by the toes//

team 7 - bronze round

[lauscanis]

To say that Marni had been excited about all of this would be something of an understatement. It'd be her first chance-- real chance-- to show off what she could do, to prove she was worth her shiny new title.

But here, now, with a huge monster in front of her and everything all wet and hot and... sticky... Yeah, not exactly what she had in mind.

The first man introduces himself as though this is just his usual Tuesday afternoon, and the next- Eirika? Marni blinks. Well the guy certainly hadn't been wearing a ring, and-

"W-Woah, hey!" Her hands snap up to either side of her head in a display of surrender, face hot as she realizes just who she's looking at. The smaller Brodian boy, who she still has to tilt her chin to look up at. "We're allies here, okay? And I'm not... one of them anymore, so-"

He's not going to believe her, but they don't really have time to sort that out now. She'll have to prove her honesty in the meantime.

"We can talk about it when there's not a giant tiger trying to make dinner out of us, okay? Just... trust me. For now. Pretty please."

Arrows fly overhead, stealing Marni's attention. She blinks up at their final member-- Naesala, he calls himself. He looks awful silly on a pegasus, considering the ebony feathers on his back, but a low growl snaps her right back to the monster. Its eyes are narrowed, body hunched low to the ground.

"I think our friend over there is hungry for fowl," she whistles, grinning up at Naesala with hands planted upon her hips. "Stay by me, 'kay? I'll keep you safe."

Marni 10/10HP uses Chain Guard on Naesala.

"Name's Marni, by the way!"

by the toes//

team 7 - bronze round

[lauscanis]

♡ ˚· @royalknght asked:

The sight of her brought back nothing short of an aching guilt. Mauvier knew that what had been done was done and yet to see her alive as if by some miracle, he was at a loss for words. To see her at a distance was one thing, he could mistake her for a ghost. But he could dismiss it no longer. His approach was swift but measured. It was Marni without a doubt. Mauvier was unsteady on his feet as he approached her and knelt before her, bowing as he only ever had before one other person. "Marni. Please forgive me for failing to keep you safe. I was negligent in my duty toward you as a fellow Hound and was too late to stop you from being harmed." He had not expected Zephia to, act as Zephia had. It was his mistake. Too slow to act because he hadn't seen it coming. "That will not be the case again, if you will accept my full protection going forward."

She hadn't asked Griss, hadn't even considered asking Zephia. She wouldn't have been able to bear it if they lied, if they told her whether Mauvier had lived or died. Either option hurt in equal amount when she couldn't know to believe them.

She hadn't needed to.

"W-woah, hey, c'mon now..." Fingers flex at her sides, awkward and unsure. They want to reach for him, to assure herself that he's real or maybe to tell him she's sorry in a way that words can't. She doesn't. She's not sure that she knows how.

A short laugh bubbles up her throat, cut off at its end with a sound more like a sob. When had she started crying?

"Don't be like that- not like I could've predicted it either." Marni shrugs, shaking her head. "But I can't accept that, sorry. I'm a knight too now, and that means I'm gonna be the one protecting from now on."

A weak smile pulls at her lips. To reassure him, she thinks, though it is in equal parts to reassure herself. If Mauvier believes in her then, well, maybe she's got a shot at doing something good after all.

[lauscanis]

LAUSCANIS ; closed & affiliated rp blog for marni of fire emblem engage ; knight of seiros at the officers academy . adored by alina ✧.*

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎‎‏‏‎‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎‏‏ ‎‏‏‎‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏ ‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏ ‎‏‏ ‎‏‏ ‎‏‏ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‎‎(useless / links / as always )

[lauscanis]

♡ ˚· @melusinezephyr asked:

"Marni, Marni, dear little Marni." Zephia spits out, circling around the smaller woman like a vulture preparing to swoop down upon its prey. She remembers Marni dying by her hand, but then again, she had died; hadn't she? And she was still here. But she knows how she lives, thanks to the generosity of the Agarthans to let her continue her work in this place. Marni though, is an entirely different mystery. "Now, are you ready to be obedient once again, sweet Marni?" She drags a finger under Marni's chin, lifting it so she can stare her dear little Hound in the eyes. She doesn't know whether she is meant to be angry at her now, for the attempt of betrayal. Or glad to see her, to see her sweet girl once again, to be able to rely on her strength again. "Or do you need to be punished again?"

Dread sinks into her skin like acid with every click of that awful woman's heels. The thought stings; Zephia, awful? She would have gone to the ends of the world to disprove such a claim not all that long ago.

But when Zephia stops before her, when her nail scrapes along Marni's jaw in a silent command, it's near impossible to remember those feelings. How had Marni loved her so much then, how-

She remembers the way it felt to do Zephia good, the promise of praise in return for loyalty. They were family, weren't they? It's what she had always called them.

But family meant that they cared for one another. Was abandonment just how that worked? Surely not. Surely.

"Y-you can't hurt me again, Zephia," Marni staggers backward, slipping from the touch that leaves her skin crawling, "I'm a knight now, got it? People will care this time."

Even as the words tumble from her lips, she is hardly sure of the truth to them. Would people care? She believed that of the Hounds, too, and now here they are.

"You got what you wanted from me, okay? Just... just leave me alone."

[lauscanis]

♡ ˚· @twistedisciple asked:

"Looks like the gang's all here now." Griss' voice comes crawling up from behind, followed shortly by the man himself. Leisurely steps bring him around to face the girl he thought Zephia had punished for good, and he takes a second to tease reality from dream and illusion. Fódlan, so far, had been full of tricks like that, and by now Griss had come to expect the impossible, just as he knew how easily it could all blow away like smoke. Head canted, his lips peel back from his teeth in a gesture that could only be described as a snarl, as the cheshire smile is neither friendly nor warm, but it's not entirely threatening either. Griss had never been good at hiding his feelings from his face, and here they take on conflicting shapes. A discerning eye, or simply those who knew him well enough, could trace the faintest outline of something softer than claws and teeth and metal points. "Thought you died." This statement of fact does finally make a discernible frown. "Guess you'll have to thank Zephia for that, huh? You 'n me both know mercy ain't her thing."

Marni's spine goes rigid in a heartbeat. She had brushed off warnings of familiar faces -- surely those weirdos had no clue what they were talking about, not when it came to her, anyway. Evidently, that had been a mistake.

"Yeah, well, you thought wrong." Her eyes track him as he moves, shoulders drawing up and inward as though in an effort to make herself smaller. Just as his expression does little to disguise his own conflict, no amount of disgust forced onto Marni's can cover her fear.

She clears her throat.

"You said... all? Like..." Did they still consider her one of them? Was she forgiven? No, she scolds herself, you don't want their forgiveness. "What, you guys are all on vacation or something? Don't you have more awful stuff to do elsewhere?"

She wants to ask if Mauvier is with them, if Lady Veyle is okay. She wants to ask what happened, if they missed her, if they forgot all about her, if-

"Whatever, not like I care anyway. Did you hear they made me a knight? Heh, pretty impressive, I know." Hands fall on her hips in a false bravado, nose upturned as though to really sell the point. "So I don't need you guys anymore, got it? And pass that on to Zephia for me, yeah?" Let her know how stupid she was to let me go.