Fantasy Kraiven to Orivae: Rebuilding a Broken Kingdom

[WayfaringWaaksian]

Nellie Noi
Property Line --> Entrance​

It actually worked? No offense taken, no mockery given? Nellie felt like she could finally breathe again, and not because of that deathly hypoxia withering from their breathing space. It already was going better than expected. However...
With the contract being soul-binding, she could read the terms as if they were burned into the back of her eyelids. "-- Wounds to never be healed in a way that allows for scale regrowth". That was definitely not what she was intending for, but it was a result of her vague wording. If she wanted specific parameters, she would have to give them. Besides, it was all the more reason to not fail. Terrible consequences were in store for the kingdom if she failed. Terrible consequences should be in store for her as well.

Arnold speaking gave Nellie pause, not just of her advance to the library. The air grew teeth, gnawing with numbing coldness at any exposed skin. "... It was inconsiderate of me to not ensure you knew the Maestro's true nature," she confessed, gaze dead-set before her. "I apologize. I'll warn you of any potential danger. That includes Holy, Fae, and Draconic, and Daedric." Her tone grew sharper, the look she finally sent Arnold's way piercing. "All magics and affiliations will receive equal scrutiny. Not just Daedric. I will NOT tolerate any suggestion that a Daedric being is more dangerous on that account alone. Maestro Rook is no more dangerous than Mariah." If given the Order, the angel could smite everyone in the city. Rook, similarly, would need clearance from King Corvus to declare war with a city belonging to Mariana. "Orivae is to become a haven for both Holy and Daedric people. My suggestion is that you consider that before comparing anyone to that thing."

That demon wasn't a person. And if he was, then it just went to show that people were capable of becoming monsters. "We will continue this another time. For now, Arnold, I ask that you redirect that scrutiny to me. Hold me accountable, just as I will you."

With that, Nellie led them to the front. Her crystal was silent, but the nip in the air told of anxious thoughts. A gambit, Arnold called it. Is that undesirable, Goddess? Is that properly witch-like to You? Her mockery was underlined with worry. What if the Goddess saw it no other way? When she knocked on the door twice, another quote echoed in her mind. Cruel circumstance, or cruel nurture? She counted the seconds. 10...

Cruel circumstance?

20...

Cruel nurture?

40...

Cruel nurture?

47...

Cruel nurture?

51...

You made me this.

54...

I never had a choice to begin with.

56...

It was this, or never--- She brushed off the frost accumulating on her palms, leaving streaks of wetness on her fingers.

60. Nellie knocked once, allowing herself breath again. The chill subsided. I won't be like You. I won't hurt her again.


Kylesar1

 

[Kylesar1]

Guildmaster Arnold Asella
Aecor Athenium- Property Line -----------> Aecor Athenium- Lobby​

"A haven for Holy and Daedric is a pipe dream while we're still standing on ruins caused by the power both you and Rook wield." Arnold fired back, unfazed by her words. They kind of fell on deaf ears when Nellie didn't have the faith enough in the Goddess to enforce her will to any believable degree. "Remember that when you look into the eyes of this woman, because she is not the only one." It wasn't words she wanted to hear, but if Arnold had any plans to be her trusted advisor, he would not lie to her, even if he had to wear an overcoat when delivering those words.

Josephine answered the door, eyes thoroughly glazed over. They were NOT welcome here, and she lacked the emotional power to even be cordial. Not that she was hostile. She was defeated. Like a whipped dog, there was no fear. No fight or flight. Just the will of a whipped dog to lay down and accept her punishment so she could move on. "Rook said you gave him your word," Josephine said, opening the door to the Athenium for them to enter ahead of her.

The Aecor Athenium was starting to come together. The books were neatly arranged, labelled by group. Arnold could only imagine that all of these books proved a hindrance if she had to put up bookshelves. Did she have the documents they had come here to get from her?

"Lass, we are all busy people, so out of respect for your time, let us get right to business," he told her. He wouldn't keep the floor for long. This wasn't his conversation to have. "Nellie gave her word to Rook, for which I bore witness. Rook trusted my word because you trust my word, so I hope that holds weight here and now." The man laid it all out on the table. Rook trusted his witness, so that was the card he wanted to play, because Rook may not have accepted Nellie's proposal otherwise. It actually made Arnold wonder just how much of a different being than Josephine was Rook. Besides the obvious Daedric loyalties, was Josephine the biggest determinant of if Rook would like something?
"Are you loyal to the Goddess?" Jo asked him, bringing him back to reality before his mind wandered too far away
"Absolutely not," Arnold said without hesitation, "Nellie's biggest problem here is having to reconcile her position as Queen of this land with being the Scion of the Goddess. The moment she forsakes the people on the Goddess's word is the day I will turn my blade on her with full force." This was not a lie by any means. Nellie was not serving a well-liked Goddess. The odds were not exactly in her favor, and while Arnold definitely didn't want Nellie to suffer alone, he needed her to be wary of her position, and be wary of HIS position as her advisor. His loyalty lie with the people, not with the Goddess. If the two were ever at odds, the people would win even if it meant having to fight the trio of Nellie, Vlad, and Mariah........ and certainly lose his life unceremoniously
"And you are here on her behalf?"
"No," Arnold corrected, "I am here on YOUR behalf. Nellie can speak for herself. I just implore you to listen."

"..........very well," Josephine decided with a nod. A slow nod is definitely was, but she actually agreed to lend her ear, and that's what Arnold was going for. "Not that I have any real power here, but I will listen."

"My mouth will be shut henceforth," Arnold said, responding with his own nod in kind. "I will speak only when spoken to, unless it is something alert-worthy."

• OOC: I won't make it hard for Nellie to convince Josephine. Just don't do anything Daedric.......or threaten her

WayfaringWaaksian