Fantasy Primacy [Closed]

[Lucyfer]

‘Mages.’

Varick was not growing fond of them as he watched Malina burn down the door that was locked, rather than try to magically unlock it. Of course, the fire worked, but he still didn’t approve of how quick both Malina and Kirsikka were to violence.

Thankfully, burning it down didn’t trigger any sort of trap, and Mikhail was there. Significantly worse for wear, but he was there. Varick wouldn’t ask what happened, he just stepped in, and began to look for a key – even if odds were, any key wouldn’t be kept in the same room as Mikhail.

Then again, Varick didn’t have the highest opinion on Rience after his little incident in grabbing Tamsin went terribly awry, with Kirsikka in no mood to chat. Varick did opt to ask, “Did you see where he took a key, or anything similar?” if it was out of the room, Varick could at least head out and search, give Malina time to look over Mikhail more in privacy.

It seemed Kirsikka, at least, hadn’t followed.

~***~

Despite Malina moving on, Kirsikka chose to stay behind. She still didn’t want to see Mikhail. She had to, obviously, but no one said she had to venture through the house. She could wait here, create a portal when everyone was found, and take them all back. They didn’t even need her for that.

The chill and brittleness she felt couldn’t be ignored when the others left, either. If she followed, perhaps she could have ignored it in action, but Drazhan didn’t want her to exhaust herself – and action always meant that. No doubt, she’d use more magic up ahead. She heard the damn fireball, as she reached for Drazhan’s arm and stepped into him, hiding her face in his chest silently.

 

[cleopat]

Tamsin stepped ahead of Varick, closer to Mikhail, but allowed Malina to be the first one to approach him as she looked over his visible injuries. She was delicate in touching him, though Mikhail insisted he wasn’t fragile.

His eyes told another story that Tamsin saw, but she wouldn’t say anything. That would be cruel.

“I do remember seeing a key,” Mikhail confirmed, closing his eyes for a moment as he shifted to stand. Malina’s hands stayed near him for support if he needed it. “I wouldn’t know where he put it, but I imagine it would be in either his bedroom or study.” If Rience didn’t keep it on him, that is.

Mikhail imagined that the blood mage was twisted enough to do that.

He looked to Tamsin, eyes focusing on the small wound on her neck. “Did he do that to you?”

Tamsin touched the cut, feeling the blood that slowly dripped down her skin, and nodded her confirmation. “No worries, I survived,” she gave him a smile.

~~~

Drazhan was going to be behind everyone in going to see Mikhail, but much to his surprise, Kirsikka made no move to enter the room and see him. She stayed behind, and to his even greater surprise, she moved into him, hiding her face in his chest.

Without a single word, he wrapped his arms around Kirsikka in a tight embrace. He didn’t know exactly what caused this need of comfort, with everything else happening, so he stood there for her, one hand gently stroking her hair, while he listened out for any indication he was needed, or for any sign that Rience may return.

 

[Lucyfer]

At least there was a key. That meant there was a mundane way to unlock it and they wouldn't have to try any magical rituals just yet. “I'll go look,” he said, “Tamsin, stay with him. Shout if anything comes up,” Malina was in a bit too much of a state to ask. He trusted she'd respond to any situation with Mikhail’s safety in mind but she might not consider much else now that she laid eyes on him.

Varick exited the room but first strode back to the entry room, where Drazhan and Kirsikka still were, locked in a moment he shouldn't interrupt, but would.

This wasn't the time or the place.

He was just relieved to see Kirsikka hadn't run off with only Drazhan for a guard.

“We need to find a key,” he spoke up, adding, “Mikhail's been found, alive.”

Kirsikka didn't want to move, but Varick’s steps, and then voice, forced it. There would be no more peaceful lingering. They had to find a key and get Mikhail away from this hell hole. She still sighed deeply before moving away from Drazhan and peering over at Varick.

He nodded curtly and walked off, tossing back, “I'll search the study. Mikhail mentioned the bedroom as the other possibility.”

Kirsikka didn't speak, not to him or to Drazhan, she just walked to go find the bedroom and tear it to pieces in the search.

 

[cleopat]

Tamsin nodded at Varick’s direction. She would agree that Malina was in no state to protect Mikhail should anything happen. But was she able to protect them? Or just shout for help in a panicked state?

Despite her newfound powers, and the attempt to learn how to control them, she still felt like she would be useless in a fight, unless it was to protect herself from being attacked.

“Is he still alive?” Mikhail said while making an attempt to stand on his own. Malina instantly chastised him for the attempt, and quickly moved to help him stand.

“Yeah, he escaped through a portal,” Tamsin answered.

“Not without Kirsikka’s attempt to kill him, while killing everyone else in the vicinity,” Malina added on.


Drazhan tensed a moment when Varick came up to them, but he only mentioned Mikhail and needing to find a key. He nodded, and released his arms from around Kirsikka as she moved to step away.

He didn’t say anything to Kirsikka at the moment, he just followed her to find the bedroom and find this missing key. He didn’t even know what it looked like, but surely mages didn’t have to worry about having too many physical keys?

All that is to say that the key was actually in the building, and not with Rience.

Maybe they could find something else that could help them defeat Rience in the future. Or at least steal some valuables for gold.

 

[Lucyfer]

The key wasn't in the bedroom. Kirsikka didn't find it before there was a call from Varick of finding it elsewhere. She didn't waste her time searching further but stepped out into the hallway as Varick returned to it as well. There was a silence between them, tense, but not on the verge of violence. Kirsikka's hesitance to enter Mikhail's space hadn't gone unnoticed. It was there now.

“Go back. Make sure his cottage is still standing and no trouble awaits.”

A small mercy. He looked to Drazhan to go with her. Like it or not, Kirsikka wasn't as inclined to go hunting Rience if Drazhan was along.

Kirsikka didn't argue that but opened a portal right there and gestured Drazhan through first. She'd follow along right after him.

Varick returned to the room with Mikhail, noticing him standing. “I'm going to unlock you,” he said it for Malina’s sake as he approached with the key, adding, “Kirsikka and Drazhan went ahead to make sure the cottage is safe,” he assumed they were heading back there, even if they'd have to reevaluate that decision soon.

The lock opened and Varick stepped back to offer space.

 

[cleopat]

Drazhan searched in the room decorations, under the rug, and everywhere else he could, but no mysterious key was to be found. Eventually Varick called for them, that the key was found elsewhere. He followed Kirsikka out into the hallway, remaining silent.

Nothing was needed to be said right then, especially not with Varick nearby. A fight didn’t need to happen for everyone’s sake.

So Drazhan nodded and followed Kirsikka, moving through the portal first when prompted. He immediately began to look around when back at Mikhail’s place for any sign of a recent intruder. Everything was still.

Rience would be foolish to make a reappearance so soon, unless there was a trap.

When Kirsikka followed through, he looked back to her with a soft expression. “What are you feeling?” Drazhan noticed how she didn’t go to see Mikhail. Didn’t look at him, talk to him, or even made herself known to him.



Mikhail lifted his arm for Varick to unlock the hindering cuff. He heard Malina scoff at Varick’s words. “That is if she doesn’t destroy the place or leave on her reckless journey to find Rience.”

“I’m sure she’ll be there when we return, with everything intact,” Mikhail assured, rubbing his wrist. Almost immediately he could feel the magic buzzing under his skin, finally free to breathe and move. It was as if his strength immediately returned to his body with the way his posture straightened.

Oh how he had felt so helpless.

“Are you…feeling alright?” asked Tamsin with a worried look. She stood next to Varick, to also give Mikhail some space, and to allow his sister to be the one to help him if needed.

Mikhail smiled softly and nodded. “I am feeling better. Nothing but a good night sleep won’t fix.”

 

[Lucyfer]

Kirsikka intended to begin searching Mikhail's home immediately for a threat to his livelihood, but she was paused by Drazhan’s soft worry. She let out a frustrated noise as she pushed her fingers back through her hair.

At least her scalp was warm.

“Guilt.” What else? “I'm at fault here.” True, she had revealed nothing. She had no idea of Rience’s intentions before Malina showed up. And yet, she opened the door for him, trusted him, only to find her back stabbed.

She'd assumed, foolishly, that anyone working with Dravon wouldn't harm her. “If I'd never trusted Rience, this wouldn't have happened, so I'm not going to allow a repeat.”

It was the only way she could make up for what happened. Until all was right, how could she hope to look Mikhail in the eyes?

Spilling blood was becoming increasingly more common for her, when once she'd claimed not to be a combatant.

~***~

Whatever happened, Mikhail said little of the horrors endured. He seemed fairly calm, and lucid, at the moment. Varick wasn't sure if that was a good thing, but he'd leave it for the others who knew Mikhail better to press on.

He'd stay focused on the pragmatics of the situation, while Mikhail could speak to them. “Is there anything of yours we need to locate as well?” He didn't know how Mikhail was taken, or if anything of value was taken along with him.

It would be better to locate it now.

“Or anything Rience has that would be better off his hands?” In this situation, Varick wasn't against petty thievery. Especially where it night make Rience's life more difficult, or getting to Mikhail again more difficult.

Either one was good.

 

[cleopat]

“You are not at fault for any of this,” Drazhan said with a firm tone. “You didn’t know of Rience’s history with Mikhail. You didn’t know of his intentions. He’s the one at fault, not you.” He stepped closer to Kirsikka, held out a hand, but paused.

“And I think what eats at you more is knowing that Mikhail won’t blame you either.” The mage certainly didn’t seem like the type to hold a grudge over mistakes like that. And hadn’t Kirsikka said some choice words to Mikhail before they parted for several years?

Yet, he welcomed her to his haven with open arms.

“So…I forbid you to torture yourself over this,” Drazhan gave her an attempt at a dashing smile, to try and get Kirsikka to smile. “And remember, if Malina agrees that you fucked up, then obviously you did nothing of the sort. You can’t actually agree on something with Malina, right?”

~~~

Tamsin knew when someone had stories to tell, and Mikhail had many he was hiding from them. She wouldn’t press him to tell them of what happened though. She knew of trauma, and of how hard it was to relive those moments in front of someone else.

Varick still didn’t know much of Roland, or what he did to her. Varick only had guesses and assumptions.

Mikhail considered Varick’s words for a moment before he nodded. “There is something I want.” He set off to Rience’s bedroom, an easy path he remembered, and the two women followed behind him, Malina closer to his side than Tamsin.

They stepped into Rience’s bedroom, and Tamsin swore she saw Mikhail’s fists tightened as he suppressed a shudder. He walked over to a dresser, where an ornate box sat on top. He opened the lid, and his fingers moved the contents around until he spotted what he was looking for. A smile blossomed as he picked up a ring, one with a simple silver band with a purple stone.

“Alright, I’m ready to go now.”

With the prompt and nod from everyone else, Malina opened the portal back to Mikhail's house. Before she stepped through, she summoned a fireball and hurled it at Rience's bed, leaving it to burn as they all left.

 

[Lucyfer]

Kirsikka was very irritated that she was so obvious with what she actually worried about. Mikhail’s forgiveness. His inability to blame her. She didn’t deserve it. She was responsible! Not…logically, but by failing to stop Rience, she was responsible. She could only glower at Drazhan figuring it out, though her lips did twitch into an almost-smirk as he tried to forbid her from torturing herself.

As if that would work.

Though she did hate agreeing with Malina. “I can. Grudgingly.” With immense dissatisfaction in agreeing with her. “You know, you can pretend not to understand my actual worry. It’s less embarrassing,” because she knew it was stupid.

That didn’t get around the feeling, though.

And she was atrocious at addressing them, because as soon as she saw the portal, she turned to head into the cottage to escape and hide.

~***~

Varick followed as well and saw Mikhail take some sort of ring. Varick was curious if it was magical in nature, but he wouldn’t ask right then. Mikhail was prepared to leave, and so he followed through the portal – though he’d wait until Tamsin was through before going through himself.

He let out a sigh as they came through, seeing Kirsikka already heading back to the cottage.

Some people really didn’t learn.

There definitely needed to be a discussion about whatever the hell she learned Dravon was, and her hiding this from them, but he’d allow everyone to settle in, first.

He did speak to Mikhail, though, “If you need us to leave sooner, I’ll make sure we’re organized and out as quickly as possible,” he didn’t know if Mikhail would want space, or if he’d feel better with everyone there.

Varick wasn’t sure how he would, when they’d all failed to keep him from harm – but they were able to notice he was gone. Perhaps that spared him a worse fate.

 

[cleopat]

Drazhan let the corners of his lips twitch in an almost smirk, but not quite. He didn’t want it to seem he was laughing at her mental anguish, even if it was funny on a ridiculous level. She really did need to stop torturing herself over every little thing, as if she was atoning for a long past.

He heard the others arriving back before he saw the portal. He didn’t turn to look at them, but focused on Kirsikka who fled inside the cottage. One day, she won’t be able to flee, and it was either going to be hilarious, or she will freeze everything around her into an icy hellscape.

Drazhan opted to turn around and face those who were coming through the portal.


Mikhail didn’t…really felt at home anymore. Not that he knew his sanctuary was compromised by one of the few people he never wanted to see again. He sighed. What to do now? He couldn’t stay there.

Varick spoke, and he turned to the Primal with a sad smile on his face. “Leave when you want to, but I have a feeling we’ll all have to leave. I fear I can’t stay here anymore.”

Malina closed the portal behind her. “Where will you go?”

Mikhail shrugged and looked back at his cottage. “I don’t know yet. I’m sure I’ll find somewhere to make a new sanctuary.”

Tamsin bit her lip in thought, and she almost wanted to suggest to Varick to allow them to accompany them on their journey, but that would be too many people, wouldn’t it? She knew there would already be enough tension with Drazhan and Kirsikka.

 

[Lucyfer]

Mikhail’s response didn't surprise Varick in the least. He hummed and modified, “If you need us to stay until you've prepared your new location, we can,” Varick wanted to be on his way, but Mikhail had been kind to them. It was a small thing they could to, to let him get settled elsewhere.

Malina would likely stay regardless, but Mikhail might want others.

At least right now, the cottage seemed to be standing. Drazhan was in sight, no Kirsikka, but that wasn't a surprise. He wasn't sure who he'd rather have to deal with.

He still didn't enjoy being around Drazhan.

But, Drazhan would have information. “The area is secure?” He called out to confirm with the other primal, before he'd bother approaching closer. Best to be sure, even if Drazhan likely would have interrupted them if the area wasn't safe.

 

[cleopat]

Mikhail smiled at Varick, a true smile he didn’t give others to fool them into thinking he was truly okay. “Thank you, that would be…appreciated.” Even if he and Malina were both powerful mages, he didn’t want to risk it. No more surprise attacks, no more being caught off guard.

More people, including two of which being Primals, would make him feel better until he was ready to move to a new location.

“I know you must be itching to get back on the road,” he chuckled. “I promise I won’t keep you from your travels for too much longer.” Mikhail turned and left to go inside and to prepare his belongings for his move.

A move he didn’t know where yet, but he could find a place. He knew of enough isolated locations he could magic into another sanctuary.

Drazhan turned to face Varick, surprised that he was speaking to him without any malice in his voice, but he wouldn’t fool himself into believing it wasn’t anything other than temporary tolerance to ensure the safety of everyone there.

He nodded. “Yes, the area is secure.”

 

[Lucyfer]

Varick gave a calm nod to Mikhail’s gratitude. Even if they had all failed him last time, he didn’t think it would happen again. Not only because they would all be on guard, but because Mikhail knew they’d come for him. He wouldn’t have to keep secrets about this situation now – it was out in the open.

Thankfully, the area was secure for now.

“Good,” he breathed out. He expected as much, but now came the hard part.

Kirsikka had been going behind their back and feeding information to the enemy. Perhaps unintentionally, or else it definitely didn’t go as planned, but she’d been acting against their best interests all the same and it had devastating consequences.

And she was avoiding them.

This wasn’t a conversation he felt Mikhail needed to be immediately involved in. But it was one that needed to happen before she fled again. Even so, “We all need to have a conversation with Kirsikka about what happened,” he spoke to Drazhan rather than Tamsin or Malina. Drazhan was the only one Kirsikka seemed to heed – and not much, at that. “You tell me – do we do this now, or do we do this later?”

If they did it later, Drazhan had to make sure she didn’t leave the premises.

Varick just wanted to avoid another frozen hellscape from her powers going haywire. He wasn’t sure if saving the confrontation for later would be better or worse for that.

 

[cleopat]

Malina had followed Mikhail inside, but Tamsin remained outside, and heard what Varick wanted to do next. Oh, now that didn’t sound like it would be a fun time at all.

If they survived that encounter.

Drazhan also agreed with that sentiment. He looked in the direction Kirsikka entered the house in silent contemplation. “I think a sneak attack would work best.” Talking as if they were ambushing her.

Well, they technically were.

“She may still be distracted by what happened to lash out…too harshly.” He felt horrid for talking this way about Kirsikka, but the fiery redhead was excellent at arguing, because she wasn’t afraid to use her magic.

“Maybe Mikhail or Malina should know, in case they need to subdue her in some way, if it comes to that,” Tamsin suggested. She may have started to get a hold on her powers, but it would be foolish to think she could stand up to Kirsikka in that might.

 

[Lucyfer]

Varick had no one else to trust on the matter of Kirsikka, so he listened to Drazhan’s thoughts. There was a chance she was indeed distracted and worn out, even if she’d clearly planned to go after Rience. Adrenaline was a hell of a drug. It would have worn off by now, although he wondered if it would come back with a vengeance when she was, indeed, attacked with questions.

They’d be finding out.

Tamsin also made a fair point. Varick nodded to her, “Let Malina know,” she could decide if it was worth bringing to Mikhail’s attention – if she wasn’t with him. In which case, he’d know by default. “I’ll go with Drazhan.”

They could get started, but he’d let Drazhan at least lead. For one, if Kirsikka saw him at the door first, she might shut it before he could get a shoe in. At least Drazhan’s face might give them enough time to force their way into the room before she could technically stop them.

‘Why are we with her again?’

Well, the reasons were numerous.

Just as numerous as the dangers.

Varick usually preferred not to be involved with these dangers, regardless of the pros. But…he was stuck here. For now.

"You can join us when you've told them, if you like." She didn't have to subject herself to it, either.

 

[cleopat]

Tamsin nodded and went inside after Malina to inform her of their plans. She would also mention it to Mikhail, since there was a high chance the two were together. If not, he at least deserved to know that violence may be happening under his roof soon.

And she would certainly join them. Maybe…maybe she could be the voice of reason, if they needed it.

“Alright, let’s get this over with.” Drazhan mentally apologized to Kirsikka before they entered the house. He could hear Tamsin nearby explaining the situation to Malina and Mikhail before he headed up the stairs towards their shared room.

Drazhan readied himself to knock on the door when he heard footsteps coming up the stairs. He looked down the hall and saw the other three headed their way. He held out one hand to them, “It may be best to stay down there for now.” His voice was soft, so Kirsikka wouldn’t hear and suspect something.

Taking a deep breath, Drazhan knocked on the door. “Kirsikka? Can I open the door?”

 

[Lucyfer]

“Yes,” Kirsikka called from within the room. Varick didn't wait, but pushed open the door first rather than give Kirsikka a chance to get up herself. She was sitting on the bed, books scattered about – she really didn't comprehend rest – and the initial curious look faded to irritation. “I didn't say you could come in.”

“Yeah, well,” he wasn't stepping out, though he stepped out of the doorway to let Drazhan in, as well, “we need information. Starting with what Dravon is.”

“A mage.”

“That's not cute.” Varick said flatly. “This is the man responsible for what happened to Mikhail. The man who likely knew you would be hurt, or worse, for his set up with Rience.” Varick stated. “Protecting him isn't a good look.”

“Dravon isn't responsible for what Rience did.”

“But he knew. Or would you argue he's an idiot? That he couldn't guess why Rience would want information on a heavily protected location?”

No, Kirsikka wouldn't. It pissed her off, as well, that he knew Rience didn't get the information but he gave away the location of Mikhail. Endangered him. And she needed to address that with him. He'd run away before she could.

Familiar behavior, if she thought about it.

“He's a shikigami,” she answered at last, “created by the White Sun.”