Dark Fantasies II

[Beleth]

“Meat?’ Kai connected the food in her hand with the word, nodding twice. The stench of it struck them as though it once belonged to a living corpse, now being feasted at another’s hands. Perhaps the relation between organism and voidling indulgences weren’t too far fetched after all. They bit back another temptation to chime in, noting how invested Keanu was in the conversation as the elf spoke.

“Very true. But humans have been known to impose their knowledge onto others. Elves, I would believe, are more reserved in that respect.” Keanu met the elf’s eyes. “That’s the primary difference between humans and elfs, I’d think, is that at least your kind understands that not everyone has to follow the same rules. Sure humans mean well by it, but sometimes not everyone benefits from the same thing.”

The elf admitted his connections to the woods shortly before placing a card to the table. Kai physically winced at its presence. Whether it was from its presence alone or the runes marked on the card they could have recognized, it wasn’t entirely clear. It took a few minutes for them to regain composure again, slowly losing the elascity of being able to bounce back from all the surprises. Kaos was good. He was slick and very well thought out. It’s been a while since the void creature had come across someone as equally calculating. So long, dare they admit, they were almost out of practice. He possessed forest connections and void magic -- this couldn’t be good at all.

“A human child attacked you?” Kai inquired. Her statement fed into Keanu’s earlier belief about humans and their invasive nature. The fairy adjusted her mask at the current topic of choice. Something about Kaos finding her in a state of vulnerability and eventually leading upto what appeared to be some sort of servitude didn’t sit well with the ‘elder’. A life of debt sounded like no life at all. Between the phoenix and the fairy’s relation to the elf, it seemed as though any connection with him eventually ended up in a sort of subordination. Should their interactions with Kaos continue….

Their ears perked at the question without their realizing. Keanu’s voice broke once more across the table, reaching for some fruit, idly pushing the meat away with the back of their hand. “I agree 100 percent, Mister Kaos.” They turned their head towards their sibling. “Perhaps one of these days you and Sibling could discuss the benefits of learning forbidden magic. In exchange, we could offer stories of forbidden weapons we have discovered..--”

“Fearing the unknown?” Kai suppressed a choke. They brought their hand under their chin. Their fingertips wavering in the air as a black tar substance found itself across Keanu’s mouth, hardening into what seemed to be a mix of tape and goo.

What a question. On one hand, it was clear. The ‘elder’ feared close to nothing with the exception of death itself. On the other, there was far too much trickling through the cracks of the wall Kai so desperately fought to maintain for themself and their Sibling. Lying would have been an obvious choice, but the elf would have seen right through it. Telling the truth was obvious in its consequential nature, and avoiding it… well. It very closely had similar effects as Lying.

“Perhaps we do,” Kai finally admitted vaguely. “There’s much to explore and even more to hide from. Some would be wise to take the proper precautions should they wish to continue existing.”

 

[Desert Rose]

Just as the elf suspected Kai recognized the card or perhaps what was on the card, either way he got the response he was looking for as he placed it back into his pocket. "I've been searching for the one who left the card... Perhaps you and I could search together, and we both could find answers we seek." he said rather thoughtfully while the enthusiasm of the other sibling caught the elf's attention. forbidden weapons caught the elf's attention as his eyed focused on Keanu narrowing ever so slightly as a black substance appeared over their face. So Kai was the one in charge and Kaos looked back over just in time to see the other waving his fingers.

"Well humans believe fairies to be of good luck... so many try to capture them for their own use." Skye spoke to Keanu not at all paying as much attention to the body language happening all around.

The elf didn't want to push the subject after all where Keanu was opened Kai countered it, so his best bet would be to either pit them against each other or get Keanu alone. He didn't see either of those options happening very quickly, however he had patience. Experiments and theorizing took time and patience one the elf learned a long time ago. He could wait for the right time to get exactly what he wanted.

"ah yes we are in fact in agreement there. caution is undoubtedly often mistaken as fear." He said noted with a rather sly grin as he picked up his cup of mead taking a rather long sip. "So how about it? Why don't you stay awhile... and we can search for the owner of this card? After all it seems they would be up to no good." The elf offered "I can prepare a guest room for you and Keanu... if you do not have any other lodging. It would be an honor." The elf said his voice smooth and velvety.

The fairy looked at Kaos the second he spoke inquiring them to stay. She was nervous for the safety of the two intruders as she looked between Keanu and Kai. "But Master Kaos… I don't think..." The fairy fell silent when his hand subtly touched the rose on his mask squeezing it ever so slightly. The fairy noticeably winced and looked at Kai even though her eyes sockets were hallowed one could tell she held a look of concern.

 

[Beleth]

Keanu clasped their fingers over their mouth, panic and even a little bit of humiliation quickly seeping into their expression. Unlike Kai, the ‘younger’ was more prone to wearing their emotions on their sleeve, entirely oblivious at the possibilities that masterminds could do with nonverbal communication.
Their eyes creased around the edges into what could be translated as betrayal towards Kai. There was a silent but firm understanding between the two that under no circumstances would void magic be used against one another. It hasn’t been too long since their last talk over the ‘elder’s’ violation of said agreement.
Despite the obscure nature of the substance, their fingers protruded through the tar in a holographic like fashion, but possessed the capability of controlling their ability to speak. They did, however, succumb to their suppressed state, not so much as nodding or shaking their head to answer the elf’s proposal. Kai made themself clear as the one pulling the reins in this situation; and many others.

Kai eased, as if their control over their sibling had granted them some sort of relief on the situation. “Searching for the owner of the card? Why would you do that? Surely someone who has created a object of such power without so much as a trance would want to be left alone.”

Keanu’s expression softened when addressed by the fairy, nodding twice. Questions about her and her species stirred in their mind. Questions that were quickly silenced both in a figurative and literal sense. They placed their hand down once more onto the table, arising from their seat. Translucent transcriptions faintly appeared on their jaw and neck, as if reacting to the magic being used. Pale white fingertips curled into the wood, their shoulders arched. They wanted to excuse themself but had no way of doing so politely.
The void creature looked once at Skye, Senka and Kaos, nodding apologetically once for their abrupt decision and quickly made their way toward the very doors they were escorted through.

“How could you be so sure you’re not being used for the same purpose here, Miss Skye?” Kai continued on, giving Keanu only a split second of their attention. “It seems as though your master here has a bit of a hoarding tendency.” At least, so they could conclude from their earlier observation about the phoenix and now the fairy’s latest statement about serving the elf. “I’m afraid I’ll have to decline your offer, Mister Kaos, thus concluding our interactions and the wonderful dinner. It’s been an evening, but my sibling and I really must be going.” Their eyes shifted to Senka for a moment, silently offering for her to come with them. Of course, if now wasn’t a good time, they’d be more than happy to come for them after.
Their eyebrows knitted at Skye’s trailed statement, meeting her eyes. The ‘elder’s’ fingers twitched once, as if searching for an opportunity to continue demonstrating their magic. As soon as the urge came, it went, instead opting for keeping their gaze on Kaos. Unlike their sibling, Kai was able to put two and two together.

 

[Desert Rose]

Kaos thought it odd that Kai seemed disinterested in finding the owner of the card after expressing interest on how such magic came to be to this world. Still it was no matter is attempted to implore them to stay had come to an end and he understood that it wouldn't be long after before the two would request to make their leave. He had options as he pondered the idea of sating his curiosity of such weapons that Keanu had mentioned and of course where they were actually from. Would they come back with trouble? Was it all that wise to let them go without so much of a scratch. His thoughts were interrupted by Keanu standing up and heading towards the exit with the an apologetic look. It was now or never.

"It must be hard for you young Keanu... to live in Kai's shadow constantly? Can you even speak your mind without the judgement of your sibling?" The questions could have been innocent if it wasn't so accusing. If Kai accused him then he could turn the tables and do the same after watching their interaction with one another. "It reminds me when I was an apprentice constantly seeking the approval of my master... only leading to disappointment. There is freedom in knowledge." He let his words leave his lips as Keanu walked to the doors.

His attention then looked to Kai who addressed his fairy. "You should work on your manners." Kaos spoke calmly as he pushed his chair out from the table and stood up. "Well perhaps we will meet again." He said with a small bow. He was going to leave his words to Keanu letting it grip their mind if it all worked out it would pit the two against each other.

"Skye… please show our guests to the door while I clean up here." He said softly.

"Yes Master." she said answered gesturing Kai to follow her to the door that Keanu had exit through to get to the stairs.

Senka looked at Kaos and t hen at Kai not wanting him to leave as she feared what the elf would do to her when they were gone. Weren't they the reason he was being so civil to her in the first place? The phoenix looked down as she continued to pick at her meat however had lost her appetite.

 

[Beleth]

“Please refrain from getting involved between our familial politics, Mister Kaos.” Kai’s jaw locked at the comment. The elf was no saint himself. Yet here he was feeding the flame that was casted between the two. “They are safely under my care and teaching. Had it not been for our educational courses together, they wouldn’t know so much about the water that inhabits this planet. I have enriched their mind as we know it to this very moment.” They kept their gaze on Keanu who had stopped, listening to the elf’s ‘sympathy’. Kai wanted to say more but knew better.

Had the younger not been physically silenced, they would have verbally inquired about the ‘master’ statement. He was an underling too? Was he taught everything he knows? Did he become strong? Their fingers closed into their fists. A black and purple hue surrounded their wrists and fingertips, much akin to Kai’s but with a transparency that took the form of the sickle shaped weapon from before. If only they weren’t in the presence of their host, there would have been on hell of an outbreak.

“My manners?” Keanu heard Kai focusing their attention on the elf. “I’m not the one going around threatening others as if some sort of past time, Mister Kaos. If you were hoping to gain something out of this event, I’m sorry to be of an abrupt disappointment to your plans.”

They nod, thanking Skye silently as they follow her, a silent huff finally escaping their lips. Once they too were out of the elf’s sight, they began to speak again. “I apologize for my Sibling’s outburst back there, Miss Skye. The dinner truly was lovely.” Promises of reprimanding could have been thrown left and right, but instead, Kai internally assured that Keanu would not so much as remember how to speak up in such an oblivious matter. Nothing that reeducation couldn’t solve.
Speaking of re-education. Kai wondered of Senka’s safety being left alone with Kaos. Smooth commadries aside, it didn’t defeat the fact that by reading between the lines -- something Keanu failed to do constantly -- he saw her no less than a weaponized pet. Their voice lowered a bit more, addressing the fairy. “The girl back there. Will she be well?”

 

[Desert Rose]

Kai's reaction only pleased the elf as his eyes flicked between the two siblings. He was quite all too pleased with himself. "Farewell" Was his final word along with a gracious and over dramatic bow as he watched the two exit leaving him and the phoenix.

"Are you finished eating?" He asked

The phoenix was now just picking away at the meat not really interested in eating it anymore. She gave him a nod as she wiped her hands off on a napkin.

"Very well... since you behaved so civilly I don't think there is use for a cage, so long as you can remain civil... I'm curious about the mark we share... perhaps we can even have it removed... hmm?" he said clearly with no intention of letting her go but giving her a slight flicker of hope would keep her from thinking of escaping. As if on queue the phoenix's face brightened and nodded "can I have my own room again?" she asked before looking down confused to why she had said again. After all she didn't remember ever having a room here before, did she? The elf only smiled and nodded "you may." he answered leaving her to her own guessing game.

Skye lead the two to the front door and looked at Kai as he asked. A scowl expression fell on her face after all fairies were often the jealous type. Ever since the phoenix had been discovered the fairy had felt second rate. Wasn't she more powerful than any phoenix? Still here were two strangers yet again fascinated by the phoenix and even worried for her well being and for what? The only thing Senka had was a rune on her arm, it wasn't like her eyes were painfully torn from her sockets. Even with the mask on one could make out the glare she gave. "she'll be fine." she muttered her eyes would have rolled in her callused tone.

"If you are smart you won't return to this place." she gave a soft warning. "My master is not one to be trifled with."

 

[Beleth]

Kai peered at the fairy, measuring out the bitterness in her tone. She warned for them to not return. “I cannot make any promises, unfortunately. Your master here is in violation of several alter-world codes. I’m sure you are well aware but void magic has been deemed forbidden by elves and humans alike for a reason. They are not without reason, despite what the nature of the conversation suggested.” Upon approaching the door, they turned, facing her. “If you are smart, you will come with us. Flee from this tree of horrors. I noticed your state of pain when the elf fussed with the mask. You’re bounded to it somehow, aren’t you? Nevermind, I can promise you you’ll never have to worry about him again.” The elder extended the palm of their hand for her to perch on. “Just come with us.”

Keanu had made their way out far into the forest, still burning off their small tantrum; even moreso with the elf’s final words still stirring in their mind. Kai’s magic had worn off on the very condition that they were out of the line of casting sight, and it was no longer necessary. It had done its job.
The magic from before disappeared from around their hands, deeming the act as something childish and impulsive in the heat of the moment. With their back to the tree-house and no more than 75 feet away from the property, the void creature flickered their wrist, a small scroll appearing in the palm of their hand. The scroll itself possessed runes very similar to the one that was found within the elf’s realm, the inscriptures design only slightly different.
Their thumb traced over the center symbol of one of the runes, muttering something underbreath.
Within seconds, a shadowy substance, separate from the tar material demonstrated before, flittered through the air. In its place was a female figure adorned in all black, a hoodie included. Her knees pressed into the soft ground in the form of a kneel, her head lowered.

“Master Keanu, I have been summoned. To what do I owe this…” The silence from them was unusual. Normally with a sudden cast it was to use her ability to be summoned as some sort of immediate therapist rather than a weapon when compared to former masters. The shift in usage was a bit of a change, but not unwelcomed. She dare raise her head without any verbal or non-verbal cue alike, noting the state her summoner was in. Threads of grass tumbled off of her cloak as she rose cautiously as to not stir their authority, lavender orbs illuminating behind the hood’s shade.

 

[Desert Rose]

Skye looked at Kai her expression softening. "He's not all bad... He really did save me from a child who would have killed me... we fairies are delicate you know. I didn't want to harm the child...I was naïve back then.." she sighed and looked towards the palm of his hand. Even the elf stolen her eyes she still had the ability of sight it was just not as clear more like a haze that she relied on her other senses to make up for the details she lacked. "you are just as observant as he is.." she noted and looked back towards the stairwell before moving in close to Kai. "It's more than being bound..." she whispered. "When he found that card and started looking into the void magic he began to change... he was chaotic in nature always but not so... dangerous as he is now.." she quietly explained while she reached up to her mask and pulled it off to reveal the two empty holes and scars of the trauma and encircles. "He grew paranoid and corrupt the more he discovered about the properties of the void... He thought I would leave him being his only companion. He stole my eyes and fused them to his mask." she whispered "I cannot go with you if I hope to one day gain them back."

The shadows came out and cleaned up the place settings while Kaos lead Senka to a private room that was still upstairs. "is it to your liking?" he asked "warm enough?" Senka looked around the quaint room and nodded "it's a tad chilly." she spoke cautiously. She watched the elf gesture to the fireplace and waited. This had to be a test she thought as she lit a fireball in her hand and threw it onto the wood smiling at the familiar cackling sound. The flames black for a moment before turning orange. how interesting the elf thought before he turned and shut her in locking the door not wanting the phoenix to get the idea of freely being able to wander about the house.

 

[Beleth]

“He imprisoned not one but two organic species,” Kai argued quietly, their eyes training to fixate on someone so small. Organic specimen for them was a generic term for anyone and anything that wasn’t made of shadow or pure nothingness. “Yes, he saved you. But if he truly were a good man, he would have saved you and left you be.” Their expression firmed. So the void magic was affecting him, even without his realizing. Instability, paranoia, deceit…. those were common symptoms of organisms who were handling magic they did not understand.
Unlike elemental magic or witchcraft, void magic wasn’t something you could engross yourself in and hope to come out the same. Even those who were born in the Neverworld or any other void realm were trained to control themselves as to not let the mass infinite power engross them.
Kai nodded at the observation. “One of us has to be. My Sibling is more of the action person while I ensure they are well.” Corners of their mouth twitched lightly at the admittance. She could very easily go and spout this to the elf once the conversation was over if she so desired. But as far as they were concerned, as soon as they were finished here, they were off to another town to plot getting the fairy and phoenix to come join them.
The twitches around their mouth became more prominent at the physical trauma, briefly looking over her shoulder as if to glare at the elf from the distance. “Perhaps there are other ways. I would not be offering if I did not believe in an alternative. I cannot trust you will ever gain them back, however.


Keanu swiped the back of their hand at some tears. It was rare for them to cry lest the emotions were at its peak. They didn’t seem to mind at the other’s initiative to rise without being commanded to do so. The void being took a few seconds to recollect themself before swallowing whatever they were feeling in the moment.
“The card,” they said slowly, lifting their head to look in the female’s direction. “The card Sibling has been looking for for the past 72 months. We’ve found it. Somehow it’s found itself on this dimension. I want to retrieve it from the household behind me.”
“Forgive my skeptism,” the female spoke slowly, “but are you referring to the tree-house just feet away from the two of us?” She knew very well the answer, Keanu giving her a slight look that confirmed it. “I wouldn’t recommend going in there. I detect foreign, hostile energy emitting from within. A potent mixture of magic-”
“I know. I was just in there,” Keanu sighed sharply. They turned their head, watching the ongoing conversation between Skye and Kai. “I ask that you come with me. Assassin with assassin. We will hide out until the owner of the card begins preparing for nightfall, and then we will strike, grab the card and be gone before dawn.”

 

[Desert Rose]

Skye listened carefully and was surprised the little intel he was giving her it wasn't so wise after all. "I'm sorry I cannot..." she whispered placing the mask once again over her eyes "I fear the elf would grow mad with rage and seek to kill you and I." she whispered leaving Keanu out of it sensing the elf's interest in the other. "Please leave..." she whispered raising her arm out and with a gentle push of magic, that left small traces of her own fairy magic on his clothing, shoved him out of the house and closed the door before flying up to her open cage used as a makeshift nook.

"Skye… are they gone?" Kaos asked stepping through the door standing at the top of the stairwell.

"Yes master both have left." she said quietly.

"did you leave a tracker?" The elf asked staring dead set on the fairy.

Skye swallowed hard and looked down ashamed by her deed as she quietly nodded. She only hoped for their safety now.

"You've done well my little fairy." Kaos said approvingly before heading back through the door and to his room as he prepared for bed. The day certainly hadn't gone how he had planned but it was a pleasant twist of events. what peculiar creatures he thought to himself. He figured they would meet again from the sound of how disapproving Kai had been. However his focus would be on Keanu and pitting them against their sibling.

He placed his mask in a chest locking it with an elven magic that would be rather complex to crack along with a bit of void magic. The elf chimed enjoying the thrill of playing with such powerful magic that he thought could never exist. Patting the chest lightly he climbed into his bed closing his eyes to rest. while the shadows that served the food roamed around to guard their master while he slept and to keep his two prisoners from ever hoping to escape.

 

[Beleth]

“Miss Skye..? Skye..!” Kai stumbled backwards, finding themself with the door swung shut before their very eyes. There was an urge to internally reprimand themself for the small but vital information sacrificed, knowing it was in vain. Placing a hand to the door once, they closed their eyes, gathering their bearings.

After a few more minutes of recollection, they turn to rejoin Keanu and the mysterious female, adjusting the collar of their clothing.

“Sibling. I see you’ve brought Miss Aonxi out.” Kai noted matter-of-factly. The female that was spoken about was one of the many wild cards they possessed in times of need. Contracts, humans would know them as, for souls. Though with the runes imbedded into the medium used for summoning, it rewired conditions a little bit, turning them no less than weaponized slaves.

Slaves, at least, to the elder. Keanu had proven to have other agendas in the form of companionship which concerned the void creature.

“Well, yes. She and I were going to go back in and retrieve something. I believe I forgot something in there, Sibling. I didn’t want to burden you by asking so I..brought her along.”

“According to Master Keanu, it seems there is an object you desire within?” The hooded female, otherwise addressed as Aonxi, confirmed quietly. Her voice wavered in and out, making it difficult for most eavesdroppers to listen in without some sort of tool of magic. “It would be an honor to retrieve something of such high caliber before your highnesses.”

Kai remained silent at the observations. So they did recognize the card after all. A part of them wished that - like most things else - they’d bat away the identity of the enchanted item and not recognize it. Instead, it was the direct opposite.

Without another word, the ‘elder’ brought their arms around the two others, motioning to the village up ahead. Once they were confident they were far enough, they spoke minimally about the topic, if at all. “We have much to discuss. For now, let us rest and begin our day for tomorrow.”

Just up ahead was a small village with the basic necessities. A bar, an inn, shops of a few variety and a town plaza. The area itself seemed to be filled with passing travelers and locals alike, far much calmer if not safer than the tree of misfits that they just came from.

 

[Desert Rose]

The further the twins moved away from the cursed tree the lighter the air seemed to be. This proved true as they came to the small village where children ran around laughing and playing women gossiped with one another in the marketplace. The bar was no different although not completely lively yet people were starting to stroll inside. The children stopped in their play in seeing the new comers in the village and how strange they seemed. However children's attention spam is so few that he person coming behind the trio stole the attention "Ireth!" The name chimed out as a few of the kids ran past and over to the incoming elf as she strode in.

Ireth Amadil was a woodland elf well known for helping establish the small village as a safety for travelers and those who didn't want to particular live under the rule of a kingdom. While still in good relations to the human kingdom the village technically fell under jurisdiction of the elves but it was far enough away from their actual home, although no one knew where exactly that was. The elf traveled all across the lands in search of adventure at least that was what everyone thought. The elf had a smile as bright as the sun as the children came around to greet her. Of course the only reason she received such a welcome from them was due to the presents she always brought back.

"All right... settle down." The elf said kneeling down to be eye level with them as she swung her back around to reach inside and pulled out what looked to be tiny wooden puppet dragons. "hold our her your finger." she explained and put one on each of the children's index finger. "they're called finger puppets." she explained to them and smiled seeing how easily amused they were as they looked them over. "Thank you!" they chimed before running off and playing.

Green eyes watched the children at play for a moment before slowly standing up and turning her attention to the bar where she had an old friend waiting as she kept her eyes pealed for one little girl in particular. She always had a special present for this child. She headed towards the bar noticing the three newcomers who seemed a little off and their aura was... Ireth paused in her step just behind them her hand on the hilt of her short sword as she looked over the trio who's aura reminded her of a particular corrupted elf. She wondered if this was another one of his schemes as a scowl fell over her face. Still she had no right to cause a scene where it wasn't warranted but the safety of the people was most important.

 

[Beleth]

As the twins moved further away from the cursed tree, the more relaxed they seemed to be. Aonxi followed closely behind as a sign of respect to her master, knees bent at the ready.

Sensations of innocent children laughing and playing led the three to look at one another, a mutual smile tugging at their cheeks. A small village. Who would’ve known? Women gossiping with one another pinched Kai’s nerves a little bit but was quick to let it go. Secrecy was something they were never a fan of, save that they were the ones engaging in it for the benefit of others.

“Sibling, the energy is different,” Keanu silently agreed with Kai’s observations. “I can’t quite explain it.” Their smile grew, as though a child exploring the outdoors for the first time. In a way, it was not too far from the truth. Aside from the Neverworld and the cursed tree home, the void deity has never seen the outside world. Their sole exposure has been through videos, images and textbooks but never through direct contact.

“They appear comfortable, master.” Aonxi commented, stopping once the twins do. The three stood at the cusp that divided the forest from the village. Her eyes met with the wood elf’s but made no indication to arouse either of their attentions’ for the time being. Kai demonstrated awareness by slowing their walk, an arm extended in front of Keanu as if stopping a child from crossing the street too soon.

“Not all of them,” Kai turned their head slightly towards the enslaved female. They turn back to silently greet the elf with a nod. Elves. It was always elves with this place.

The door to the bar before Ireth pushed open slightly. Behind it, a smaller being attempted to hold the weight of the entryway. She had been marking down the day of Ireth’s routine return to the very second. In contrast to the jellyfish-like parasite that sat atop her head and over her eyes, the child smiled in the wood elf’s direction. “Miss Amadil, you’ve returned,” she rasped silently. She was hoisted up by the surrounding tentacles that draped from the parasite, her body and feet now suspended to meet the woodelf’s height. “Mister Vytri was telling me you wouldn’t...not for a while, anyways. He probably thought you were dead.”

“Not dead,” a voice protested through the cracked door, “just gone for a long long time.”

“That’s precisely what you tell a child to indicate someone’s passed,” the child pushed back with a turn of her head. “You already did that with Mister Fluffles.”

“Gerbil was gonna die anyway,” the eloquently gruff voice concluded, resuming to place his attention on the unpolished mug. He peered back up once more to Ireth, placing the mug down to grab a chilled glass from a bucket of iced containers. He proceeded to pour a honey substance from a pitcher into the prepared cup. “Well? Whaddya waitin’ for, kid? C’mon’in. Mead’s not gonna drink itself.”

 

[Desert Rose]

Ireth's eyes met Kai's as he acknowledged her and nodded to her. It was the subtle interaction that made her relax as she released the hilt of her sword and gave a light smile back to him before her eyes flickered to the door and then to the small on opening it before raised to her height. For now she would keep an eye on the trio, but didn't see them making any harm as of yet.

"It has been awhile... hasn't it?" She said with a smile as she reached in her back and pulled out a small decorative wooden box. "I brought back a present for you." she said softly handing it to the child. "Go on open it." she said with a wink. The box was made of cherry wood and had small fish carved around the outer edge and the middle there was a carving of a jelly fish. Inside the box were various small sea shells she had collected and made into a necklace. Even sounds of the ocean waves could be heard as though the elf had captured the sound of the waves inside the box.

"Ah well I'm very much alive!" she said with a grin as she stepped in and found herself at her usual table where she put down her bag and took a seat accepting her favorite drink. "I've missed this... There is no mead quite like yours Vytri." She said with a smile. "Tell me anything interesting happen while I was away?" she asked.

 

[Beleth]

“A gift? For me?” Bachol extended her arms out to accept the gift. Despite the obstruction, she seemed to have a relative ease in being able to manuever her way around, visually. Once the present was placed into the palms of her hands, the child withdrew her arms to observe the box with a sense of awe. Small fingertips traced over the fish, avoiding the jellyfish in the middle as she opened the top part onto its hinges. A small gasp emitted from her, the only indication of overwhelmed joy being the shivering of her body as it swayed back and forth in its suspended state. “A necklace… and ..are those waves?” Her head tilted in Ireth’s direction, voice beginning to crack at the thought. She’s never been near the ocean. Supposedly there was an ongoing hostility between humans and sea-creatures which have led to people of her kind being dragged into the watery substance. Only a hero like Ireth could pass through such tricky terrain and survive. For the time being she was advised to stay far far far away from the ocean shore. “You remembered…”

“Not with your stupid sense of adventuring, you won’t be for long,” Vytri cracked, sliding her the glass. Ireth praised his mead to which he continued his disposition with a touched chuckle. “Damn straight, there ain’t. Know why? Cause I don’t put any of that magical fairy dust crap into my food and drinks. Supposed to make customers like the stuff better for no good goddamned reason.” The drow paused for a moment, resuming his obsession with the unpolished mug earlier. “Nothin’ interestin, honestly. Same old same old. Invasions, protests, some centaurs ran through here like no one’s business. Village hid and followed the plan. For a mellow town, place’s damn good at playin’ possum.” He nodded his head in Bachol’s direction. “Gotta say kid here gave me a near heart attack. Decided to poke her head out and try to take them on.”

“Only for a good cause,” she lowered her head, hyper focusing into the newfound gift. “One day we’ll get some formidable foes and then we’ll be sorry for lying around like a bunch of rocks.”

 

[Desert Rose]

Ireth beamed at Bachol pleased to see that she enjoyed her gift as she nodded a yes to her question. "Of course I remembered!" She said cheerfully as her attention went back to the drow "Is that your secret?" she giggled and rolled her eyes "I'm careful enough..." she huffed although this last adventure she had some close calls and wondered if she would make it out alive.

"Centaurs... huh?" she whispered and shook her head "Bechol… you can't take on things like that... you're not strong enough." she said softly just as concerned and worried for the child.

"Vytri… any word on the whereabouts of my br...." she paused and looked down her eyes narrowing at the table "of the corrupted elf?" she asked refusing to accept him as her bloodline. The two used to be so close until he had begun to experimenting with dark magic. It didn't get worse until he found a card with a foreign rune on it. Just like that he had changed forever it seemed. She knew he wasn't far but didn't know exactly where.

 

[Beleth]

“Not so much as a secret to some who had an ounce of decency,” Vytris finished the polish and exchanged the mug for a pipe as he continued on. His eyes crossed for a brief moment, splitting his focus to get a fire going into it. “Your bro? Haven’t seen ‘em.” The drow felt his jaw tense at his own lie, quietly reminding himself of a small promise he made while Ireth was gone to not defend her brother’s whereabouts; regardless if they now shared an evil background. It was only within his species’ nature to hide those that leaned more on the chaotic tendencies.

Bachol’s voice cut into the conversation, granting the drow temporary but well needed internal relief. “You guys said I could take on the next one last time, and the time before that…” The tentacles rose her, as if to emphasize on her words. She ‘walked’ over to join the two, lowering herself into the seat next to Ireth with puffed cheeks in disappointment. “Besides, we couldn’t let you come back to a truly desolate village, Ms. Ireth.”

 

[Desert Rose]

Ireth nodded hiding her disappointment while she was glad that he hadn't come around the village in the likes of experimentation or something just as bad, she still wanted to find him and put an end to his treacherous ways. Memories flooded of their time together as they trained along side each other and he was the one she looked up to. Although Vytris opened her world many different types of magic and to even be more accepting to that which didn't seem good. Still nothing could quite prepare or for the betrayal of her brother or rather the maddening magic he involved himself with. Her brother was always different and rather eccentric in his ways compared to most elves and much to their disapproval.

The elf's thoughts broke when her eyes shifted over to Bachol and smiled lightly "Ah, well I think this village does well for itself. We don't want you getting hurt. Tell you what... why don't you go hunting with me." she said with a smile figuring that would cheer her spirits a little.

"Oh... Vytris… what do you know of a trio that have aura akin to my the corrupted elf's?" she asked motioning towards the door. She still couldn't shake that feeling when she and Kai's eyes met. Who were they? What was their purpose? She needed to know if they had been there for long and if not how long would they be there and what business they had.

 

[Beleth]

The room fell silent, allowing Ireth to process her emotions. For a moment, Bachol’s fiesty personality simmered down. Whether it was to match the elf’s current state or from losing too much blood again, it was a bit difficult to tell. There was a sort of mutality that went on between herself and ‘jelly’, the parasite she’s affectionately come to call it. But there were times it took much more blood than she was capable of providing, which required her to take on more naps, rest and even pauses. She placed her hand on the bar to balance herself, her head lifting abruptly to hide on-going discomfort.

“Hunting? With you? Really?” The child’s pain broke through into a small smile. Bachol loved the village as much as the next person but between the older population and the same humdrum routine, things got dull pretty quickly. Vytri offered to teach her a few magical spells but after hearing stories about that one elf that went awol due to darker magic it wasn’t worth the effort, let alone the risk.

“Aura like..?” His eyebrows rose a little bit, turning his head toward the window to see the twins mingling with some ongoers and the cloaked female finding herself surrounded by a few of the children. So that explained the foul stench. To magic users, there was a distinct aura between ‘ordinary’ magic users, those that engaged in elemental arts and light magic; and ‘abnormal’ users, those who dabbled in necromancy and blood magic.

Those two, however, had a different sensation about them altogether; save for the third that was beginning to develop the same aura like a creeping fungus. “Haven’t seen their faces around,” he admitted, “but like you said, they’ve got an aura similar to the corrupted elf’s. You’d think that type of aura comes once in a blue moon. Or, y’know, the kind that come out in the dead of night.” Sounds of the cabinets opening, then slamming could be heard on his end as he retrieved a stave with a priceless gem at the very end of it. “Can’t say I’m willing to sit around and risk more people being corrupted, however. Howddya two feel about stirring up a little bit of fun?”

 

[Desert Rose]

Whether it be an elf's intuition or maybe just motherly instincts the elf picked up on the change in Bachol. "Yes with me... but get some rest first." she said with a knowing look about her. She didn't want the girl to push too hard. After all whatever that thing was that attached itself to her sometimes seemed to take a lot out of her.

Her attention focused back on the barkeep before looking out the window her eyes narrowing at them. "they don't seem to be up to anything." she said looking towards him and rolled her eyes seeing the stave. "You mean stirring up trouble." she said standing up "I'm curious of them... they don't seem from around here. I'd rather see if we can peaceful speak with them rather than stir up fun as you call it." she said walking to the door. Not waiting to see if he would follow she walked over to where she saw the twins in the window.

"Excuse me." she said her voice was soft but her eyes showed something entirely different than just being polite. "Who exactly are you, and what business do you have?" she asked rather quick to the point. Her stance though relaxed was still ready for anything should they end up attacking.

 

[Beleth]

“I’m okay, I can fight..! I’m ready to go with you!” Bachol insisted. It was like her to try and be tough in the face of pain. She wanted to impress Ireth, someone she saw as both a mentor and mother. Even if it physically killed her, it wouldn’t be likely for the child to allow the elf to see her disabled with pain. The hand on the table twitched once, her head lowering as the parasite deflating and inflating with visible contentedness at her expense. Her breath hitched, fingers curling into the wood, fighting to regain what she thought of as composure.

“The corrupted elf wasn’t up to anything either at first. No one in their right mind is going to outly state their intentions. I say we take care of them before we regret it. Talking to them will give them information AND time to stall.” Vytri watched as she made her way to the window, keeping his stave out of sight but at the ready in case his suspicions were confirmed.

Upon being addressed, Kai was the first to calmly react, turning their head lightly. They had been speaking with their twin and Aonxi about future travel plans. Confirming that it was in fact they that was being spoken to, the ‘elder’ turned, their position protective of Keanu’s wellbeing.

“Sibling, is the pretty elf speaking to us?” Keanu inquired, oblivious to the non-verbal cues.

“It would seem so,” Aonxi chittered quietly, despite not being the one addressed. “She seems peaceful. May I suggest approaching this diplomatically?” Her question was now towards Kai’s shoulders, knowing she might as well called the pot black. It was more to laminate the option as the best approach, rather than giving a new idea.

Kai ignored the two to answer the elf’s question. Keanu’s reaction was predictable to them, and Aonxi was only providing them information they already knew. Still, it was good to know she had a good head on her shoulders. It would come in handy later. The presumed leader of the three spoke out of formality, their words holding no more emotional weight than average small talk. “Good days, Miss. Excuse our disturbance, we were simply passing through from the twisted woods.” They gestured with an open hand from the direction from whence they came. “I am Kai, and this is my sibling Keanu, and our bondservant, Aonxi.”