Blackburn's Crossing Chapter 4: Snake Eater

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Peri looks up from the map upon seeing Brian and Shih she smiles moving around to hug Brian gently and a little awkwardly as to not squish Lina. Giving a small wave to Shih as he passes.

“I am very glad to see you Brian, I was hoping you hadn’t left yet. I am so very glad you enjoyed my friends, and made new ones yourself.” She points to Shih who speaks to Violette. “We never got a dance, but I do plan to visit.” She holds his hands and squeezed. “When the air begins to grow warm again, we will see your lands looked over by a guardian. Until then keep yourself well and continue to do an excellent job.”
 
Von Brekker House:

Thomas raised his hands in a shrug. "No idea if she suspects it, and if she does she's never brought it up to me. She's certainly seen Vistani before, but beyond that she hasn't seem to had an interest," says Thomas as he vaguely watches Bernard until he pulls out a bag with some sort of box shape. "I'm aware of you're digression however even the slightest mention could potentially lead to some people's views dramatically shifting. Depending on how strong the blood of her mother runs through her, she'll have the potential power to curse people. A power that she probably would be better not knowing she can do."
 
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Kallisto went to respond to Violette only to find herself suddenly holding a raven awkwardly as she and Aluc shared a confused look. "That was definitely weird ... do you feel alright?"

Looking at where Perian had pointed she replied, "Well ... that's the lair of something for sure, but as I understand it, it's near or on the way to the serpent's actual nest. Now that Aluc's back to her normal self, I can hopefully get a better idea where the nest is, and compare it to this."

After helping Aluc get herself situated back on Kallisto's shoulders she caught sight of the group coming down the stairs -- recognizing the voice of Brian, and Shih was hard to miss in general. She bowed her head slightly towards the both of them before the conversation shifted away.

"I met Shih at the ball -- he comes from an island I'd never heard of before. He seems to be a wandering type, I wonder if he'll ever truly settle somewhere." She smiled slightly, her teeth visible as she looked down towards Violette, "And you said cats don't seem to like you..."
 
Bernard looked puzzled. "I know how quickly perceptions can change, and beyond the Crossing life is harsh, but wouldn't it be better if she knew? What if she is that powerful and she has no clue? She could curse someone on accident." Bernard removed the deckbox from the bag, "You should speak with her, tell her the truth. She deserves to know and make her own choice. You could offer her this, it belongs to someone with Vistani blood." Bernard sets the box on the table in front of Thomas.
 
Von Brekker House:

"Or reversely she could think that every bad thing that has happened has in some way been her fault." says Thomas crossing his arms. "Her mother and I both spoke about this at length when Paulina was born. It is better that they did not know." Thomas' eyes widen as a deck box of specific proportions end up on the table. It has a very familiar looking setup that he had seen before. "Put those away."

Thomas puts a hand to his mouth seeming to think carefully and then he runs it through his mustache down to his beard. "How did you come into possession of a Tarokka Deck?" asks Thomas in a level voice. "You haven't pulled any of the cards have you?"
 
Arissa nods at Thomas’s mention of curses. “I believe that you would find that I have a greater understanding of curses than you would expect. The blade that I took off of the pirate captain, Yorgi, bore a curse inciting aggression and anger in me. In fact, it was only yesterday that the curse was dispelled, thanks to the efforts of Doktor Ludwig. It would be rather dangerous for one to have this ability without their knowledge.”

Arissa then looks over as Bernard presented the Tarokka deck, and her eyes widen. “Bernard, those are not a toy or a gift to be handed out. Vistana or not, I do not believe that they are something Annabelle should be given without further knowledge of what they may do.”

Arissa looks over at Thomas’s questions. “The deck is mine, given to me by Raunie Dizaverni shortly before her death, though I am no longer certain why she had done so. In a moment of foolishness, I drew a card from the deck. The effects were... rather odd.” Arissa’s hand came up to tug on a lock of her crimson and silver tipped hair before allowing it to snap back into place. “There is one thing I am certain of. If there was a fortune told by that card I drew, it was far from a pleasant one. I doubt that the side effects of the card are limited to magical hair dye as well.”
 
Blackburn Manor:

"I feel... fine. Back to feathers. Fur is weird," says Aluc eventually finding a place back on Kallisto's shoulder. She seems to then become preoccupied with looking at the shinies within the house. "Well there's a first... and second time for everything I suspect," says Violette looking up to Kallisto. For a moment she blinks and then smiles back. "You look very pretty when you smile, did you know that?"

Brian smiles at Peri's mention of visiting. "Perhaps we can reschedule that dance to another time," says Brian nodding. "I will look forward to it, and by the time you visit I hope my sister will be better to properly greet you as well. I think you two might get along well. Yelcan, perhaps you can come up with Perian when she comes to visit? I sure we have the space for you up there, or anyone she wants to bring along, and I am rather intrigued by your sense of dress at the Ball."
 
Bernard collected the deck box. "I think they'd be safer in the hands of one with Vistani blood than in my own, but I defer to your judgement; both of you." He begins to pack them back away. "It is as Arissa said, when she discovered the power of the deck she entrusted me to keep it safe. I don't know why I seem to be collecting dangerous artifacts lately, but I had hoped to find an appropriate home for one of them." He sighed. "Apologies for being so careless."
 
At Violette's compliment, Kallisto placed a hand over her mouth for a moment, looking away, "... I ... usually don't because people get uncomfortable. My ... teeth aren't like other people's."
 
Von Brekker House:

Thomas shakes his head after hearing Arissa first speak of cursed swords, and then about the Tarokka deck. "Some of your ignorance can be forgiven for being an outlander. I assure you however under no circumstances would a Raunie give out her Tarokka deck willingly. Not only is this just not done, but when decks have in the past fallen into non Vistani's hand it has spelled the doom for many who have dared draw from the deck. I've no idea what may have happened to you when a card was drawn but I would never do so again, and return it to the next Vistani caravan or the Dizaverni's if we ever find them again. Other tribes should be able to dispose of it if necessary. Most of the decks only work within bloodlines, all others have a habit of being erratic to say the least," said Thomas still looking upon the deck as Bernard put it away. A sudden thought seems to hit him. "That's why they left.... did they try and get the deck back from you? It's probably also imperative that you try and remember what they said exactly to you. They might have cursed you, and if they didn't you are probably a very lucky woman."
 
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Blackburn Manor:

"What do you mean? You have beautiful teeth!" says Violette exclaiming shock at Kallisto's admission. "Don't sell yourself short, I'm sure there are plenty of men who would love to lock lips with you. Maybe even a few women if you prefer that." Violette puts a hand on her hip. "If someone is bothered by you're smile it's not worth your time to be interacting with them. I mean that's how I know who will give me the time of day. Those that see my white hair usually have an instant reaction. Those that react negatively I don't need to worry about. It can be quiet a handy tool used properly."
 
Peri nods, “I look forward to it, please send her my well wishes, I would love to meet her, I hope my flowers are well received.” Releasing his hands she smiles, “I will not keep you, but please do write, especially of any adventures in the Forest of the Anchients. If you need aid with anything don’t hesitate to ask.” Reaching out she gave his arm a squeeze this time, glad he was solid still, she had to keep reassuring herself that he was indeed real.
 
At Thomas’s questions, Arissa flashed back to the horrific scene in the tent with Léone and the Raunie, the memories clearer and more terrifying than before. She began to tremble somewhat and stared at the bag that held the Tarokka Deck. “I... I would not call it willingly...” She found herself unable to elaborate on the subject and continued on to what had happened the night before. “Ja, Esmerelda, the Raunie’s daughter attempted to lead me into some sort of ambush with several other Vistani men. When I asked her to have a civil conversation and discuss what it was that she wanted, she simply left... Her last words... ‘I thought we were friends too, Arissa... farewell.’”

Arissa took a sip of tea to try to calm herself after reliving the whole experience, but dropped the cup because of how heavily her hands were trembling. She cursed under her breath in Carmanthian before muttering an apology to Thomas and picking up the broken cup to magically repair it. She then looks over to Thomas. “I am sorry, these are... unpleasant memories.”
 
Kallisto's eyes widened slightly at Violette's reaction as she lowered her hand instead to pick at her beaded bracer, "Er ... if you say so ... It's just ... people don't usually want to speak to me in general, so, the few who do, I try not scare off."

Gesturing towards Violette's white hair with a clawed hand, "Your hair is fine -- it's interesting. Why would someone react badly to that?" She caught sight of the pads on her fingers and palm and lowered her hand. "I'd rather the hair than some of what I seem to have ..." Kallisto looked away again as she let the sentence hang in the air, running a finger along Aluc's back.
 
Bernard put a hand on Arissa's back. "I'll hold onto the deck for now, and we'll let these memories lie in the past." Bernard tried to move the conversation to another subject, closing his pack to hide the deck box from sight. "Thomas, I know you've retired, but I'd love your insight on this. The sword in Maria's back was the Adaptive Weapon. The form of the blade, the detail, was incredible. It included small details like Jonathan's maker's mark. Your thoughts and expertise would be appreciated. Simon is compiling a list that he intends to share tomorrow but from what I understand of Jonathan's condition we have precious little time to find justice." He continues to keep a comforting hand on Arissa.
 
Von Brekker House:

Thomas frowned at Arissa's reaction to the discussion. "Count yourself lucky Arissa. You must have made a strong impression among them, I suspect the ambush was more to ensure nothing got out of hand. I'm impressed you spotted something like that before it was sprung," said Thomas offering a small bit of praise. "I suspect Esmerelda might have been under pressures from the tribe to push you into such a thing. Understand that deck represents their lively hood. Carolina described tribes without the guiding hand of the deck as blind."

Thomas let the conversation drift away from the topic. His mind returned to Maria's murder, now the adaptive weapon was involved and contained a bit of useful information. He was silent for a good three minutes thinking through what he knew. "I'm glad you told Simon about this, I do not need to be undermining his authority after I just gave it to him," said Thomas leaning back and thought. "So we know the death of Maria wasn't because of the adaptive weapon. We know that the person who did it knew of the existence of not only one but both weapons. Jonathan's sword, and the Adaptive Weapon. If we make a quick list that quickly narrows it down to three people."

Thomas held up three fingers. "Derek, Maria, and Jonathan. If no one but them could possibly know about both weapons those are the likely suspects in my eyes," says Thomas each finger dropping at the mention of their names. He remained quiet after wards.
 
Blackburn Manor:

Brian smiled. "I will continue to write you, and if I find anything interesting that might be related to the forest I might send it to you," said Brian as he pulled away from Peri. "I better catch up with Mr. Suren, or they might set sail without me. Stay safe Perian Marsh. Who knows? Maybe our path's will cross much sooner than we expect?"

Violette looks at Kallisto observing her for a moment. Her violet eyes looking curiously at Kallisto. "It's a pity so many would ignore you. I promise not to make the same mistake as others," said Violette attempting a smile at Kallisto. She catches Kallisto's odd hand formation and grabs at her free hand before feeling at the pads for a second. "Is this why you are worried? We have many oddities where I come from, and this does not bother me at all."

Noticing Kallisto has looked away downcast again Violette sighed and then spoke in a firm commanding voice. "Kallisto, do not be so demure when speaking to someone. Look them in the face with the confidence I know you have hidden somewhere in there. I don't know who bullied you to be like this but they are a good for nothing. I've had my own share of bullies but you can't let them get under your skin."

Kallisto feels a growl from her axe in response to Violette's assertions.
 
A growl started to build in Kallisto's throat before she cut it off. "It's -- it's not 'bullies', it's understanding I can be destructive without meaning to." This time she met Violette's eyes, holding up the hand Violette had grabbed, "I have to make sure I don't accidentally cut someone, tear something, anything delicate I don't hit with my larger size and break it, or have one of my moments and hurt someone!" She bared her teeth for a moment, before turning away again, aware she made a scene in front of the others.

"It is not other people that ... bother me too much. I can deal with that -- and when I can't then I talk with my other friends, like Aluc ... What bothers me more is the risk I know myself to be." Taking a deep breath she let it out in a low growl of a sigh.

"I'm sorry Violette... I'm a bit on edge, there's a lot I'm trying to ... sort out, and not all of it I'm sure I actually can." With a tired smile she added, "Though maybe now you see that I'm not always so ... 'demure'. Just ... usually."
 
Giving Brian a nod and cheerful smile she waves him farewell, “May hap, and stay safe my friend.” Soon as he was out the door she looked to Yelcan taking in a heavy breath. The perkiness she tried to maintain faded slowly and she looked tired again.”Where were you headed when we caught you here?”

“To get us?” After a moments pause she had continued. Looking to Kallisto who spoke with Violette. “I do not know what to do next, do we go find Bear and Arissa or wait at home? Do we rummage for more clues or take what we have and hope to come up with a good plan?” Looking away from Yelcan towards the floor, “Do we just go about pretending to enjoy a day as if Nothing has happened?”
 
Blackburn Manor:

"There's the fire!" says Violette at first glad of the affect she had upon Kallisto before she began to realize she apparently had it wrong. "I see, so you're more comfortable with animals than people? I can understand that to some degree." Violette walks around Kallisto as she turns away apparently not willing to let Kallisto turn away in shame. "What keeps you from talking to your friends like Aluc? Maybe you could pretend I am a mouse?"

Violette pats Kallisto on the shoulder. "I know a bit about being 'risky' to be around people. Sometimes we have thoughts that just skitter on by and if we aren't paying attention we might snap. I've done so on my brother Gaspard before, though he probably deserved it," says Violette before turning as Peri seemed to be done with her conversation with Brian. "Don't sweat it so much Kallisto and if you ever need someone to beat up or relieve some frustration, I could probably take a punch or two."

She winks before coming back around Kallisto to address Peri. She puts a finger to her chin looking up as if thinking for a moment. "I think finding Bernard, and Arissa wouldn't be a bad idea. Catching them up to speed with what we know, and maybe preparing for a trip. It sounds like we'll be gone for a few days on this trip, so we'll want to be prepared with supplies," says Violette.
 
Bernard thought for a moment, "Thank you, Thomas." Bernard stood and stuck a hand in his coin pouch. He removed his hand with eight gold coins and a small dark needle. Bernard frowned, he'd forgotten he left the needle there the previous night. Placing the coins on the table he smiled at Thomas, "Hopefully you can use that to buy into your card game with Marcus, and don't forget you promised Simon a drink after his first day as Sheriff. Payment for the counseling." Bernard chuckled. "I do really appreciate you Thomas, I hope that I can lean on some off your wisdom in the future. There's not many left in this town to look up to." Placing the needle back in his coin pouch he gave Thomas a handshake before offering a hand to Arissa. "Come on Arissa, lets get back to Marsh House. We can check on Peri and Lina."
 
Arissa hardly heard Thomas’s praise and nodded numbly at it, unable to stop thinking of those hands grasping out of the darkness. She tuned out the rest of the conversation until she heard Thomas mention Jonathan’s name. She briefly loookd between the two men. “Not Jonathan.” And then fell silent.

As Bernard spoke to Thomas, Arissa gradually returned to her senses. She looked up as Bernard offered a hand to her, and then took it with a slight smile. “Ja... ja, I suppose we should.” She stood up and turned to curtsy to Thomas with an apologetic expression. “Thank you for the tea, Thomas. I pray that next time I may bring more pleasant conversation with me. I must apologize again for my state... it has not been the easiest few days.”
 
Von Brekker House:

Thomas ultimately shrugged in response to Arissa. "I think I'm used to it by now after so long. We'll see about next time when it comes, and I'll see if I can't pay you back with the winnings," said Thomas grinning for a moment. He stands up taking some of the money off the table and leads both of you to the exit of the house before locking it up before leaving.
 
Yelcan kind of stands off to the side while the others were talking amongst themselves, acknowledging Brian when he speaks directly to Yelcan, but otherwise not speaking aloud. He spends the time in silence, reaching out with his mind trying to feel for Hyde, hoping that his friend is safe. He opens his eyes once Violette addresses the group, suggesting that they go find Bernard and Arissa, and he looks to Peri once more. "Well, I know that Peri and Kallisto came here to speak with Mr. Blackburn, but if they think that conversation can wait then maybe we can all get together like you suggest and plan for the coming confrontation. But I think we need everyone who's coming together, so maybe we can leave Grimdosh with a message for Mr. Blackburn and Leone to meet us somewhere, and then we can find Bernard and Arissa and bring them there."
 
"... animals speak true. They don't bother with twisting words ... they don't understand the point. If they say something, you know they mean it." Kallisto leaned her head into Aluc on her shoulder, "It's ... I'm not uncomfortable speaking with people, it's ... more I suppose ... I don't know, I try to speak true, but not everyone else does."

As Violette continues on, she can't help but think back to the discussion she had with Bernard, what felt like weeks ago by now with every that had happened -- not being sure she could hold herself back, and now she had the great axe always at the back of her mind ... reminding her how fragile people could be if you hit them just right. "I ... will keep that in mind."

Raising a hand slightly, when conversation turns to gathering the group, "I think ... we should probably meet at the Marsh House. There's still many people wandering the manor it seems, so ... James might be busy dealing with them. I'd still like to ask Aluc to show me the route towards the nest, but if we're at the Marsh House, there's less risk of someone interrupting. Plus ... we'd probably find Bernard and Arissa there eventually either way."

She turned to Aluc, "I don't know if you'll be 'awakened' today still ... but when we get to the other house, can I 'ride' with you to see where you found the nest of the serpent?"
 
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