Take Back the Crown

Oceana rolled her eyes at the human's' inane banter. 


The elf found that Being surrounded by so many people was unnerving. She was so used to being alone.
"Nae that I really enjoy being alone." She mumbled to herself.


Shaking her head and sighing, she looked over at the two figures near the target: One towering, pale and muscular and the other petite, tan and wiry, like herself.


"It's strange how two people of the same race can look so different."


This thought, quietly spoken, pushed her mind into a memory from her childhood.


"Papa?"


The strangely muscular elf turned from his grindstone to regard his daughter; the young girl was all ebony hair and tanned cheeks.


"Yes? What is it, my sea bee?"


A young Oceana cocked her head and blinked.


"What did mama look like?"


Egonrael's green eyes widened slightly before smiling warmly at her. He picked the tiny girl up and sat her on his knee. Even at seven years old she was barely three heads tall. And nearly as thin as a reed.


"Well..." He started, then paused, not knowing where to begin. Athdalyn had been his everything. His world. 


But now, Oceana was all he had left of her.


And she was his new everything. His new world.


"She was... Bold." Was the first thing that tumbled from his mouth.


"She had hair dark as night and stars shined in her bright blue eyes. Even in the dark, they blazed, as if they could see right through you." 


His eyes fogged over as he remembered touching her tattooed cheek, shining eyes turned dark cobalt with desire.


"She was the night and stars in a sea of people that were pale skinned and bright haired. We were the day and she was the night. At least from afar."


Here the big elf chuckled, mirthful eyes glancing at the child in his lap.


"Up close. She rivaled any celestial being that could ever exist. Her angled blue eyes had tiny swirls of green that shone in the sun. And her cheek bones were high and prominent but with softer cheeks and her lips always seemed to frown even when smiling. That confused me greatly at first." 


The elven smith grinned at his daughter.


"In fact I know a little someone who inherited that from her."


Oceana was young but knew enough to be equally proud and offended all at once. A war raged on her lips over whether to frown or grin.


Egonrael guffawed.


"Exactly! Just like that"


That broke the stalemate. 


The grin won.


"Really? Like mama?" Young Oceana inquired.


Her father smiled, eyes wet, and hugged her close.


"Yes, love. You're a whole lot like her. Just like mama."
 
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Phaedra struggled not to mimic the expression on Foxrun's face, nearly beaming right back at him. It was very clear to her the amount of love he held for his mother.
​


"Many mortals don't see past the appearance of a nymph." She agreed quietly as she tried not to giggle or shy away from the soft bristles of the brush tickling her skin. This was her most closely guarded secret - Phaedra was incredibly ticklish and while she was incredibly grateful that she had nothing more incriminating to hide, it was still not something she desired to make public knowledge. She did allow the smallest hint of a smile at his thanks, however.
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"Of course, Foxrun. It is one of my favorite kinds of conversation and I believe this is the first time we've really spoken. I'm enjoying the opportunity."
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She immediately noticed his hesitance afterward, her eyes watching him closely. Refraining from tilting her head - a natural reaction for her to outwardly express her curiosity, like most others - Phaedra decided to ask upfront.
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"Was there something on your mind?"
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"I must admit I'm enjoying it as well." The smallest brow raised at her restraint of giggles, but he made no mention if it, rather he just listened, allowing her to speak before aiming to line the last facial line. He laughed ever so slightly as she inquired even more "really, I would ask you the same question. You seemed as of you had something on your own mind." He paused, tapping his lower lip and tracing to his chin, explaining the gesture "Now, this is the one that goes here. So hold just for a moment?" He then continued where he had left off on his previous statement "I just really did not want to pry too far and dampen any of the joy going around. Oh, and I sometimes draw marks on my ears, whether you wasn't them or not is up to you." He mentioned before putting the brush across the tub. "The face is done however."


@TeeKay
 

"Ooh! Let me look!"
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She grinned, almost literally vibrating with excitement as she fluttered about looking for a reflective surface. Phaedra settled for a nearby unused stall filled with water, gazing into it and admiring the work done. She had to admit that the red face paint really did pop in a positive way and the grin only widened. Rushing back to Foxrun, she grabbed his hands and gave a small giggle of excitement.
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"It looks wonderful. Thank you. This was actually really fun." Afterwards, Phaedra paused briefly, thinking over her next words. Transitioning into a more serious tone, she looked thoughtful.
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"Well, part of the fun of meaningful conversations would be the discovery. After all, isn't there some joy to be found in feeling trusted and valued?"
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She took a moment to think if that was something that she desired. Was that why she was so curious in the first place? Brushing the thought aside, she continued.
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"I believe I mentioned before that I never met my mother. From what I was told, I was found fresh in the snow of the mountains by my adoptive father. He was a bit of a hermit. An accomplished mage who moved into the snowy mountains to research the flighty Sylphs and the natural world and how it all interconnected with magic." Phaedra's eyes had traveled away from Foxrun's gaze, focusing on her hands as she played with her fingers. A nervous habit, perhaps. Still, she spoke very matter-of-factly, not much to indicate any sort of hurt. In her mind, it was the simple truth and she was just reciprocating knowledge with the other half-Fae after he so kindly shared with her. "Sylphs aren't known for their sense of responsibility. A fleeting bit of curiosity in a human left her with too much to handle, so she left me in the snow. I can't say I blame her, to be fair. I'm just fortunate that I was found."
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Phaedra bit her lip. Perhaps she said too much? Her eyes flickered back up to look at Foxrun, gauging his reaction. She did not want to spoil the mood, so she spoke quicker now. "But I suppose that's why I find it so wonderful to live vicariously through your words, describing your mother and the pleasant memories you had. I greatly appreciate it, Foxrun. Truly."
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She offered a smile. It wasn't as bright as before - perhaps due in part to her nervousness sharing - but it was still warm.
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For a while now, Kacel’la had finished working on the group's weapons. Not knowing to whom which belonged, she left them all in a pile, which was slowly diminishing as a certain little wyvern was dragging the shiny metal away towards it’s growing hoard of things under a table. The elf soon started talking with Dorian and Garrett.


“So you’re Dorian’s mage?” Kacel’la asked Garrett after a while, squinting a little when the mage nodded. “You hold yourself like a soldier. You wouldn’t be from the city guard, would you?” She asked.
“Yes, I was.” Garrett nodded again.
“Holly hell! How did you even get yourself bound to a highly wanted assassin and crime lord then?” She exclaimed, loud enough for everyone to hear. Instantly, the elf could feel Dorian’s angry gaze bore into the back of her head. “The group didn’t know, did they?” She asked with a sheepish smile on her face.
“Well now they do.” The familiar answered.
“I’m in trouble, ain’t I?”
“If you were a friend and not like family, you would be learning the anatomy of your own intestines.” Dorian shrugged, his innocent smile and friendly tone a direct contrast to his words.


@ everyone who is around I guess.
 
"I guess it is! Hah," He replied, honestly relieved that Hjalmar was quickly taking the conversation to a lighter tone. Although it's my own fault for letting it get all serious. Ech. "Life and death situations do have a way of oddly, making you feel more alive. But I suppose it all being unto something is what makes it -" He stopped when he heard a loud yell from somewhere, down a corridor. 


He couldn't make out every word clearly, but he heard... enough. "Holy hell! ... you... get yourself ... highly... assassin... crime lord?!” 


Enough to make his heart stop for a moment. But the yell didn't sound angry... maybe surprised, but it didn't sound like anyone was in danger. Although, he couldn't be too sure when they were talking about assassins and crime lords. His head inclined curiously toward the source of the yell, he quickly began to try and piece together context, and what it could mean. He looked curiously over at Hjalmar, letting out a puff of air with a "Hah..." and grinned, shrugging slightly. "Wonder what that's all about."


@Lo Alyssa @L1d1ja
 
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He couldn't help but be just as exuberant as she was about everything. He watched as she ran to look, laughing from how amusing she could be. And of course, she came bouncing back. At her very excited gratitude, he could only smile, nearly reflecting the width of her own. "You're very welcome! I'm glad you are so interested!" 


Then he could feel a puff of admiration swelling in his chest as she went on about confiding in others. She was entirely nervous, yet retained her cheerful demeanor rather well as she spoke. He listened, intent and also feeling sympathetic with her story. He had the opportunity to spend time with his mother yes, but he also knew too well about having a parent with such a fleeting nature. "And thank you." He stated, placing a gentle yet firm hand on her shoulder, not sure how else he could show his consideration. "My own mother left as well, on better terms given, but I can understand how you feel in a similar way. She left to travel and just live day by day like a giant adventure. Which makes me feel closer to her now that our group is practically doing the same thing." It was odd to compare something such as their journey to anything else, seeing as their own was unique in very many ways. Yet the more he thought it over, the more sure he felt of this feeling. "But thank you, again." He mentioned as he began to line one of his own eyes, so use to it that he easily didn't need visual guidance to do it.


@TeeKay
 
"I suppose that could look good too, but–" Valeiah reached and jumped up to get the arrow back. "I would probably get my own head exploded into millions of tiny bits if I shot anyone here right between the eyes." She managed to pluck it from his hand and stab it back into the center of the target.


@Lo Alyssa @OlKaJa77
 
Oceana was broken out of her reverie by a loud voice from back in the center of the canyon.


Her keen elven ears caught every echoing word.


"Hey." She grunted to Yaroslav and Valeiah "I think something is going on with the others."


Nodding to herself she started forward,


"I'll go check it out."


And bounded of into the dimly lit corridor back to the others.


(so.... Lame....)
 
"Sorry." Kacel'la said, smiling sheepishly.


"If you have gotten me in trouble, you owe me one." Dorian grumbled, looking around to see everyone's reactions. He really hoped there wouldn't be a big scene about this.
 
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      Hjalmar shrugged, his ears were keen and he managed to hear the whole thing. The voice sounded like the other fiery elf that recently joined them. He didn't know much about her, but she was friends with Garret and Dorian, and Hjalmar made the quick assumption that perhaps she was talking to one of them.


      Grabbing his things, he made his way over the bridge towards the corridor, "Let's go find out." He said, his curiosity peeked. He tossed his weapons and packs into the pile of supplies on the way, and entered through the door. Hoping Bo was right behind him, he casually leaned against the frame of the door, "You caught my attention at, 'assassin,' and, 'crime lord." He said with a raised eyebrow, hoping for some sort of explanation. He had only heard one sentence after all.



 
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      "Actually, I think that it is time we return to Sverrir's hearth, it is night time, and we had a long day." He directed at Valeiah, yanking the arrow back out and returning it to its quiver, "Let us return as well, little gremlin." He added gruffly.

 
"And? You want an explanation?" Dorian asked, his expression and voice calm and slightly amused as he turned towards Hjalmar.


"Or don't you know the definition of those words?"


@Lo Alyssa
 
"I'm not a gremlin." Valeiah said plainly. "I could call you a... a... a mountain or something. A giant." She laughed. "Yeah, a giant! See, how's that feel, ya big ol' giant?!"


@Lo Alyssa
 
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      "Oh, believe me." He laughed, "In my line of work, assassins and crime lords make the definitions of their names very painfully clear." He folded his arms, briefly glancing back at Bo who was just silently observing, "So yes, we'd like an explanation."



 
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      "But I am a giant." Yaroslav laughed, his voice booming louder than he meant for it, "And you are a gremlin... It is best to accept ourselves as we are Valeiah." He mused, trailing not far behind Oceana.

 
"I get paid to kill people. Body or mind. Which means I either slit their throats or poison them, or I drive them absolutely mad or into doing the killing for me. That's the assassin part. Plus I have a mass of other... criminals, under my command. They pay me, i sometimes reward them, and they get a sort of good deal against rivals and guards. That's the crime lord part. And if you wanted an introduction to my better-known job persona- " A mask appeared of Dorian’s  face, and he bowed, somehow making the action mocking. "-Trickster and Lie smith, at your service for now." He chuckled before making the mask dissapear. "Don't worry. Nobody has hired me to kill anyone here." The familiar added, the 'not yet' at the end of the sentence unsaid, but known.


@Lo Alyssa @soundofmind
 
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Oceana caught up to Hjalmar and Bo at the door and listened in on every word.


"Huh." She said at Dorian's explanation.


Then she shrugged.


"Nae that I'm surprised with this group. I'm quite sure that sour bushy-haired lad is a demon in disguise. He's got the temperament."


@Danika 
 
      "Ah, nice titles." He gave Dorian a side smile, "I think I've heard them a few times on the streets before, and now I've got a face to pair them with... People usually called me Quick Shadow, or the Fortune Snatcher." He took a seat by a table, "Seems I'm not the only pick pocketing sneak thief here then. We've got similar roots." He said with kindredness, feeling slightly relived he wasn't the only dishonorable brigand amongst their valiant and noble comrades. Not that he wasn't accustomed to being judged and scorned, of course.

 
"May have heard of you in passing." Dorian shrugged.


"Now I feel that I should warn you. The fact that you have a name to match to my mask, should be kept to yourselves." He stated, addresting all those listening. The smile on his lips was predatory, and his look clearly stated 'however bad you think you are, I'm worse.' "I think my simple line of work should be enough of a warning."


@Lo Alyssa @soundofmind @OlKaJa77
 
      "And what good reason would we have to gossip? Save the cold threats for the common cowardly rabble, luv. " Hjalmar yawned, kicking his feet up onto the table and leaned back slightly, "Besides, I wouldn't want to go around threatening people who are perfectly capable of lopping my head off with one swing. Magic or no, plenty of magical beings have fallen to a simple swipe of the sword." He added, and it was true. The people in their group were extremely powerful on their own, and Hjalmar, who couldn't be considered a powerful being on any note, had slit the throats of many boastful mages. Perhaps Dorian was powerful, but no one could be immortal. And magic does you little good when you're asleep and vulnerable.


      Regardless, Hjalmar liked this Dorian. He gave him a toothy grin, expressing the good impression he made- at least on the thief, the boy couldn't speak for the others, many of whom had probably never crossed paths with a thief, assassin, or crimelord before.

 
You don't gotta warn me twice. It's not like I have anyone to tell anyway. Bo stepped forward only a little, taking Hjalmar's previous position, leaning at the door, looking into the room. He heard Oceana and Valeiah come in from behind, adding their own commentary as well. He felt much in agreement with Oceana - in that, he hadn't expected everyone here to have a clean record either. He knew he didn't. The revelation of Dorian's 'true' identity, or rather, his identity on the streets, wasn't much of a surprise. If anything, it made sense.


He refrained from saying anything. For some reason, he felt that any commentary he had to give would be ill received.


@L1d1ja @Lo Alyssa @OlKaJa77 @Danika
 
"Maybe it's good that I primarily do not rely on magic then." Dorian shrugged and smiled at the other thief. "And there's always reason to gossip. Every little tidbit sells well I'd you know who to talk to."


@Lo Alyssa
 
      "Ah, see," Hjalmar commented, "that's where we differ. While words are your expertise, not existing unless in the shadow of your mind is mine." It seemed Dorian relied more on his knowledge and wit, while Hjalmar relied on the shadows alone. Of course he heard things, it was fairly easy to when people thought they were alone. But he usually only used such knowledge for his own benefit, not for a profit. Shamefully, he had never thought about using it that way. It probably would have been helpful too, "But, I suppose that's to be expected from a notorious crimelord, whilst I am just a simple larcenist. I have far less to do than you." He added.

 

Phaedra nodded, now watching Foxrun quickly paint his own face without looking into any mirror or even the water for assistance. It was immediately apparent that she was a little shocked, even impressed. She had never painted her face neither with markings, nor with makeup because of the hassle it seemed to bring, but Foxrun seemed to have it down to the mark. As she sat across from him, Phaedra curled up to hug her knees.
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"That's still a wonderful thing, in its own way." She began slowly, choosing her words carefully. "When you see her next, now you'll have your own stories to tell her. I know she would be proud of you."
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Of course, Phaedra didn't need to assure Foxrun of such a thing, but she could only imagine a gentle Fae woman's face beaming at Foxrun - both with pride and with the relief that her son was still safe and sound after everything was said and done. She tried not to imagine the very real alternative.
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"You paint your own so face so well. Have you tried sketching of any sort? Even if not figures, you'd do lovely shapes and patterns, I'm sure."
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She couldn't help but gush, watching Foxrun finish up his markings.
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