Fira-Nar
She honestly hadn't expected such a story and she feared that her jaw might have become a tad slack in the hearing. Recovering in what she imagined was good time, she nodded sympathetically. It struck her then that perhaps she should have gotten more information before coming to talk to Sellia.
"Well, what if I went and got his name? He didn't ask to see you, but he knew your full name. Maybe I can find out who he is and how he knows you first and then see if you might recognize him?"
Perhaps there was no need for her to play intermediary, but it bothered her that Sellia's past had gaps in it - who knew where this man fit into the picture? He could have been an enemy of hers - hiding amongst the apparently larger threat of the Dremora. Accept their story and automatically accept his... No, Fira was certain she wanted to talk to this vampire further - hopefully Sellia would agree.
Finding Home
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Monkey Kitty
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Re: Finding Home
Sellia and Gwindor
"Thank you," Sellia said, the relief evident in her voice. "I appreciate that. I don't know if his name will help, but perhaps it will? If not, at least knowing his background seems useful."
When Fira had left to speak to the vampire newcomer, Gwindor asked Sellia quietly, "Is something else wrong? Some trouble beyond your inability to remember?"
He could read her too well, as if he'd known her all her life.
She shook her head, then nodded, then shrugged helplessly. "It will sound silly."
"I doubt that." His face held no mockery, only concern.
"I feel a... foreboding."
"A doom?"
Again, she sensed no jest, and she nodded.
Gwindor seemed unsurprised. "My people place grave value on such intuitions. You should heed it. I will heed it too. We must use much caution."
"Thank you for understanding. It may turn out to be nothing..."
He nodded. "Let us hope so. If we err on the side of too much care, so be it. Better that than too little."
Sellia twined her fingers through Gwindor's and nodded. She hoped she was being irrational - and she didn't want to turn away a fellow vampire in need over mere sentiment - but her gut still warned her of danger ahead.
"Thank you," Sellia said, the relief evident in her voice. "I appreciate that. I don't know if his name will help, but perhaps it will? If not, at least knowing his background seems useful."
When Fira had left to speak to the vampire newcomer, Gwindor asked Sellia quietly, "Is something else wrong? Some trouble beyond your inability to remember?"
He could read her too well, as if he'd known her all her life.
She shook her head, then nodded, then shrugged helplessly. "It will sound silly."
"I doubt that." His face held no mockery, only concern.
"I feel a... foreboding."
"A doom?"
Again, she sensed no jest, and she nodded.
Gwindor seemed unsurprised. "My people place grave value on such intuitions. You should heed it. I will heed it too. We must use much caution."
"Thank you for understanding. It may turn out to be nothing..."
He nodded. "Let us hope so. If we err on the side of too much care, so be it. Better that than too little."
Sellia twined her fingers through Gwindor's and nodded. She hoped she was being irrational - and she didn't want to turn away a fellow vampire in need over mere sentiment - but her gut still warned her of danger ahead.
Re: Finding Home
Fira-Nar
The argonian made her way back to the gate at an unhurried pace. While she wanted to get the information from the man for Sellia as soon as she could, she didn't really want the man to think that was her goal in returning. It bothered her, she supposed - on Sellia's behalf?, that the man would introduce his knowledge of Sellia's presence, but not his own name. To her relief, the group seemed to be loitering just within the confines of the camp. Out of the way, yet visible.
Fira first gave Drina and Angus a quick check. Both seemed to be fine. They didn't seem upset in any way, so nothing explosive must have happened while she was gone. Good. She skirted them, though, and approached the group of dremora and one vampire closer to where the vampire was standing.The argonian thought to lean against the wall, but thought better of it and simply stood with her hands tucked amicably into her belt.
"So, I guess I probably missed the introductions - I'm Fira-Nar. And you are?"
'Start simple' she thought 'then work your way in to the information you really want.' It was as much a mantra as a reminder in her mind.
The argonian made her way back to the gate at an unhurried pace. While she wanted to get the information from the man for Sellia as soon as she could, she didn't really want the man to think that was her goal in returning. It bothered her, she supposed - on Sellia's behalf?, that the man would introduce his knowledge of Sellia's presence, but not his own name. To her relief, the group seemed to be loitering just within the confines of the camp. Out of the way, yet visible.
Fira first gave Drina and Angus a quick check. Both seemed to be fine. They didn't seem upset in any way, so nothing explosive must have happened while she was gone. Good. She skirted them, though, and approached the group of dremora and one vampire closer to where the vampire was standing.The argonian thought to lean against the wall, but thought better of it and simply stood with her hands tucked amicably into her belt.
"So, I guess I probably missed the introductions - I'm Fira-Nar. And you are?"
'Start simple' she thought 'then work your way in to the information you really want.' It was as much a mantra as a reminder in her mind.
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Monkey Kitty
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Re: Finding Home
The Handsome Vampire
The vampire gave Fira a slight bow.
"Devrin Olan," he replied. "At your service."
He was disappointed that the Argonian come had alone. That wasn't what was supposed to happen. Why had his presence not sufficiently intrigued Sellia for her to come to him in person?
Instead of hiding his feelings, he acknowledged them. "It saddens me that Sellia hasn't joined us. I assume you told her that I am here? Surely she has not forgotten me? She and I were the closest of friends. And then... more than friends. My love for her has remained constant and true. I hope hers for me has not been more fickle?"
He bowed his head again, this time in humility. "I apologize. I should not put you in the middle of my troubles. Perhaps if you simply tell Sellia that her love has returned, she will change her mind and see me?"
The vampire gave Fira a slight bow.
"Devrin Olan," he replied. "At your service."
He was disappointed that the Argonian come had alone. That wasn't what was supposed to happen. Why had his presence not sufficiently intrigued Sellia for her to come to him in person?
Instead of hiding his feelings, he acknowledged them. "It saddens me that Sellia hasn't joined us. I assume you told her that I am here? Surely she has not forgotten me? She and I were the closest of friends. And then... more than friends. My love for her has remained constant and true. I hope hers for me has not been more fickle?"
He bowed his head again, this time in humility. "I apologize. I should not put you in the middle of my troubles. Perhaps if you simply tell Sellia that her love has returned, she will change her mind and see me?"
Re: Finding Home
Fira-Nar
The more the man talked, the more her armour itched. She rubbed at her neck, scratched her arm. Fira's gaze dropped down to her hand and she stopped abruptly. She was starting to look like she had fleas.
"So, ah, like did you meet like, before...or after...you know, you became a vampire? Just curious. Love to hear how couples meet. Yeah, that's my...thing."
Maybe it was a little silly to avoid saying 'they' about the whole becoming a vampire thing. But, something just smelled off about this guy. Or maybe he was just too...open? Words that come easy when you're talking about someone who love and have lost...nah.
"You know, as long as it's not too personal. I don't mean to pry."
She did.
The more the man talked, the more her armour itched. She rubbed at her neck, scratched her arm. Fira's gaze dropped down to her hand and she stopped abruptly. She was starting to look like she had fleas.
"So, ah, like did you meet like, before...or after...you know, you became a vampire? Just curious. Love to hear how couples meet. Yeah, that's my...thing."
Maybe it was a little silly to avoid saying 'they' about the whole becoming a vampire thing. But, something just smelled off about this guy. Or maybe he was just too...open? Words that come easy when you're talking about someone who love and have lost...nah.
"You know, as long as it's not too personal. I don't mean to pry."
She did.
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Monkey Kitty
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Re: Finding Home
Devrin Olan
The handsome vampire frowned. "No," he said coolly. "I believe I will not share the tale. If Sellia's feelings have not persisted, I should not continue to wallow in my own. I will only cause myself further heartbreak to dwell on a love that is no longer requited. Farewell."
He drew up his hood and departed into the darkness, headed in the direction of the city.
The Daedra, still in conversation with Drina (and shooting curiously looks at Angus, whose presence Drina did not explain,) noted his passage but did not follow, nor did they appear particularly interested in where the vampire was headed - further confirmation that he was not, in fact, part of their group, but had merely attached himself at some point.
***
Devrin did not go to the city. He followed the road a short distance, but then turned aside, following a narrow, rocky path to a mercenary encampment.
"I have the information I promised," he said. "There is, as I mentioned, a price."
A mercenary nodded, expecting this. "Name it."
"I need an elf eliminated."
"Sure, no problem. We're going to kill a great many elves."
"No," Devrin said impatiently. "A particular elf. He has become an obstacle to my plans. And I don't want him killed. I want him made an example of. Eliminated as competition. Though how he can even be considered such, I can't imagine."
The mercenary shrugged. "Fine. Whatever you say. How will we know him? All them elves look alike."
"Oh, this one doesn't. He has grey hair. Stooped shoulders. Scars on his face. Missing a hand."
"Hm. Easy enough to identify. What do you want done to 'im?"
"Well, I was thinking..."
As he relayed his plan, Devrin could not quite restrain a fangy smile. It would not suffice to take Sellia by force. Such a victory would ring hollow. No, he needed her to love him. To choose him. And after what was going to happen to the foolish elf who dared to intrude on Devrin's happiness, surely the choice would be an easy one.
The handsome vampire frowned. "No," he said coolly. "I believe I will not share the tale. If Sellia's feelings have not persisted, I should not continue to wallow in my own. I will only cause myself further heartbreak to dwell on a love that is no longer requited. Farewell."
He drew up his hood and departed into the darkness, headed in the direction of the city.
The Daedra, still in conversation with Drina (and shooting curiously looks at Angus, whose presence Drina did not explain,) noted his passage but did not follow, nor did they appear particularly interested in where the vampire was headed - further confirmation that he was not, in fact, part of their group, but had merely attached himself at some point.
***
Devrin did not go to the city. He followed the road a short distance, but then turned aside, following a narrow, rocky path to a mercenary encampment.
"I have the information I promised," he said. "There is, as I mentioned, a price."
A mercenary nodded, expecting this. "Name it."
"I need an elf eliminated."
"Sure, no problem. We're going to kill a great many elves."
"No," Devrin said impatiently. "A particular elf. He has become an obstacle to my plans. And I don't want him killed. I want him made an example of. Eliminated as competition. Though how he can even be considered such, I can't imagine."
The mercenary shrugged. "Fine. Whatever you say. How will we know him? All them elves look alike."
"Oh, this one doesn't. He has grey hair. Stooped shoulders. Scars on his face. Missing a hand."
"Hm. Easy enough to identify. What do you want done to 'im?"
"Well, I was thinking..."
As he relayed his plan, Devrin could not quite restrain a fangy smile. It would not suffice to take Sellia by force. Such a victory would ring hollow. No, he needed her to love him. To choose him. And after what was going to happen to the foolish elf who dared to intrude on Devrin's happiness, surely the choice would be an easy one.
Re: Finding Home
Fira-Nar
Well. That wasn't how she was expecting things to go. What a cold fish - even for a vampire. Well, at least she'd gotten his name. Fira gave the collection of daedra another once-over to make sure they were behaving themselves, then left to find Sellia once more.
"Hey, the guy left, but I did get some information." It was at this juncture that Fira realized that she didn't know exactly how much to tell Sellia. Her face went blank for a second, but her mouth worked regardless.
"He said his name is Devrin Olan. Does...that name ring any bells? For any reason? He seemed to know you but when I asked him about how he knew you, he got all huffy and left. Kind of an extreme reaction. I'm not sure that it's a bad thing that he left...I mean...um. Sorry Sellia."
What exactly the argonian was apologizing for wasn't clear - even to herself. For the information she had that she didn't pass along to her vampire friend? For insulting potentially one of her vampire friends? Why did things always have to be so complicated?
Well. That wasn't how she was expecting things to go. What a cold fish - even for a vampire. Well, at least she'd gotten his name. Fira gave the collection of daedra another once-over to make sure they were behaving themselves, then left to find Sellia once more.
"Hey, the guy left, but I did get some information." It was at this juncture that Fira realized that she didn't know exactly how much to tell Sellia. Her face went blank for a second, but her mouth worked regardless.
"He said his name is Devrin Olan. Does...that name ring any bells? For any reason? He seemed to know you but when I asked him about how he knew you, he got all huffy and left. Kind of an extreme reaction. I'm not sure that it's a bad thing that he left...I mean...um. Sorry Sellia."
What exactly the argonian was apologizing for wasn't clear - even to herself. For the information she had that she didn't pass along to her vampire friend? For insulting potentially one of her vampire friends? Why did things always have to be so complicated?
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Monkey Kitty
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Re: Finding Home
Sellia and Gwindor
"Devrin Olan..." Sellia repeated.
It sounded familiar. But that was all... just familiar. Like the half-memory of a dream. She was no more able to place the other vampire than she had been before learning his name.
Scattered, disconnected images tumbled into her mind. The heavy iron hinge of a door. Footsteps. Fading to red. But she couldn't quite catch ahold of any of it, couldn't assemble it into a coherent narrative. Was it even a memory, or just an imagining?
"I don't know," she said finally. "I wish I could remember more. I'm sorry. Odd that he would just leave, isn't it? I mean, if he supposedly knows me and the issue is my memory loss, wouldn't he want to stay and try to help me remember?"
"Odd indeed," Gwindor agreed. His demeanor was pensive, but he took Sellia's hand comfortingly.
"Well, I suppose it's no matter," Sellia said, trying to sound cheerful - but she still felt the foreboding, the sense Gwindor had called 'a doom.' Nothing had really happened, but her every sense was somehow still on edge. "Thank you for your help, in any case, Fira. Perhaps we have heard the last of him."
She doubted it. But she had little time to dwell on her misgivings.
Within the hour, the group had received a message from Melar Sadus. His elf forces were under attack, and he was pleading for aid from all who could assist. They assembled hastily - leaving behind a contingent to guard their encampment, to avoid providing another target of opportunity - and made their way to the ridge where Melar and his forces were pinned down near Cambray Pass. The elf forces were surrounded by mercenaries; the group would have to sneak or fight their way through.
"Devrin Olan..." Sellia repeated.
It sounded familiar. But that was all... just familiar. Like the half-memory of a dream. She was no more able to place the other vampire than she had been before learning his name.
Scattered, disconnected images tumbled into her mind. The heavy iron hinge of a door. Footsteps. Fading to red. But she couldn't quite catch ahold of any of it, couldn't assemble it into a coherent narrative. Was it even a memory, or just an imagining?
"I don't know," she said finally. "I wish I could remember more. I'm sorry. Odd that he would just leave, isn't it? I mean, if he supposedly knows me and the issue is my memory loss, wouldn't he want to stay and try to help me remember?"
"Odd indeed," Gwindor agreed. His demeanor was pensive, but he took Sellia's hand comfortingly.
"Well, I suppose it's no matter," Sellia said, trying to sound cheerful - but she still felt the foreboding, the sense Gwindor had called 'a doom.' Nothing had really happened, but her every sense was somehow still on edge. "Thank you for your help, in any case, Fira. Perhaps we have heard the last of him."
She doubted it. But she had little time to dwell on her misgivings.
Within the hour, the group had received a message from Melar Sadus. His elf forces were under attack, and he was pleading for aid from all who could assist. They assembled hastily - leaving behind a contingent to guard their encampment, to avoid providing another target of opportunity - and made their way to the ridge where Melar and his forces were pinned down near Cambray Pass. The elf forces were surrounded by mercenaries; the group would have to sneak or fight their way through.
Re: Finding Home
Nairn Tuckamore and Fira-Nar
The norn slunk along at the rear of the group, her body angled slightly away, as she half-eyed Fira's position and half kept surveillance on the treeline. Her mind was clear now that the fever and its cause were gone. Anakita had left behind another healing spring in the tent before she left and Nairn had decided to test the veracity of Anakita's suggestion that she could remember just fine without a bodily scar to act as an eternal marker. And Fira had forgiven her for the error, so, perhaps...
The situation was dire - it was little wonder that Melar Sadus had called for aid. This mercenary crew had been well-organized - and well-informed. They would have had to have scouts to know where the elves would be and would have had to have been prepared nearby to catch them in such a predicament. Fira was at once thankful and desperate when she recalled the ruined castle that the elves must be held up in. A siege in such a sad excuse for a fortress would be over quickly.
"What if I took a few people and started a distraction at one end of the pass? Give someone a chance to get through and find out how Melar and his group is doing? It couldn't hurt to try to open up one end of this pass for a retreat." Fira had her blade in her hand, ready to go. If there was a better idea, she'd follow, but she was willing to wade into the enemies on one end of the path alone if needs be.
Nairn saw an opportunity and took it. "I can get one or two inside without being seen." As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she regretted them. To get those people inside without being seen, they'd have to touch her...and she wasn't sure she knew every person in their group well enough for that. But the words were out and the elves were in dire need. She could do this.
She could do this.
The norn slunk along at the rear of the group, her body angled slightly away, as she half-eyed Fira's position and half kept surveillance on the treeline. Her mind was clear now that the fever and its cause were gone. Anakita had left behind another healing spring in the tent before she left and Nairn had decided to test the veracity of Anakita's suggestion that she could remember just fine without a bodily scar to act as an eternal marker. And Fira had forgiven her for the error, so, perhaps...
The situation was dire - it was little wonder that Melar Sadus had called for aid. This mercenary crew had been well-organized - and well-informed. They would have had to have scouts to know where the elves would be and would have had to have been prepared nearby to catch them in such a predicament. Fira was at once thankful and desperate when she recalled the ruined castle that the elves must be held up in. A siege in such a sad excuse for a fortress would be over quickly.
"What if I took a few people and started a distraction at one end of the pass? Give someone a chance to get through and find out how Melar and his group is doing? It couldn't hurt to try to open up one end of this pass for a retreat." Fira had her blade in her hand, ready to go. If there was a better idea, she'd follow, but she was willing to wade into the enemies on one end of the path alone if needs be.
Nairn saw an opportunity and took it. "I can get one or two inside without being seen." As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she regretted them. To get those people inside without being seen, they'd have to touch her...and she wasn't sure she knew every person in their group well enough for that. But the words were out and the elves were in dire need. She could do this.
She could do this.
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Monkey Kitty
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Re: Finding Home
Tempest Rutherford and Anakita Snakecharm
Tempest gave Nairn an encouraging smile; she didn't want to make the Norn uncomfortable by making a big show of it, but she recognized the gesture, and she was impressed by the fortitude it took.
"If you will allow me, I believe I should be one of those to go with you," Tempest said. "This old castle is better than nothing, but the fighting will have been fierce - they are likely to have wounded. If I'm part of the team going in, I can heal anyone we find who needs it. I think it's best to conserve my mana for that if possible, but if necessary I can use spells to fight, too."
...Or just whack people with her staff. It wouldn't be the first time. And it was surprisingly effective.
"I'll go too," Anakita said. She left her bow slung over her back - it probably wouldn't be very useful in the narrow confines of the keep's passages, anyway - and armed herself with her sword, the backup weapon she carried for circumstances such as this. "I can set traps along the route. They won't hurt our allies, but they'll slow down anyone who tries to follow the retreat. Buy us some time."
Tempest nodded her agreement - the Ranger and Nairn appeared to be friends, so Tempest figured the Norn would be okay with that unless she told them otherwise.
The others agreed to create a distraction with Fira.
As they were splitting into their groups, Anakita pulled Cullen aside briefly. "Hey," she said. "If there's any weird magic, make sure they don't get Stefan, okay?"
This seemed like an oddly specific request - one that Cullen (correctly) assumed there was context for that he didn't know, but which didn't need to be hashed out at present - but there was no real reason to say no. He would have done that anyway.
"You have my word of honor that I will do my best to ensure no foul magics befall your husband," Cullen said rather formally, but sincerely.
Anakita nodded. "Okay," she said. "Thanks. Let's go save some elves!"
Tempest gave Nairn an encouraging smile; she didn't want to make the Norn uncomfortable by making a big show of it, but she recognized the gesture, and she was impressed by the fortitude it took.
"If you will allow me, I believe I should be one of those to go with you," Tempest said. "This old castle is better than nothing, but the fighting will have been fierce - they are likely to have wounded. If I'm part of the team going in, I can heal anyone we find who needs it. I think it's best to conserve my mana for that if possible, but if necessary I can use spells to fight, too."
...Or just whack people with her staff. It wouldn't be the first time. And it was surprisingly effective.
"I'll go too," Anakita said. She left her bow slung over her back - it probably wouldn't be very useful in the narrow confines of the keep's passages, anyway - and armed herself with her sword, the backup weapon she carried for circumstances such as this. "I can set traps along the route. They won't hurt our allies, but they'll slow down anyone who tries to follow the retreat. Buy us some time."
Tempest nodded her agreement - the Ranger and Nairn appeared to be friends, so Tempest figured the Norn would be okay with that unless she told them otherwise.
The others agreed to create a distraction with Fira.
As they were splitting into their groups, Anakita pulled Cullen aside briefly. "Hey," she said. "If there's any weird magic, make sure they don't get Stefan, okay?"
This seemed like an oddly specific request - one that Cullen (correctly) assumed there was context for that he didn't know, but which didn't need to be hashed out at present - but there was no real reason to say no. He would have done that anyway.
"You have my word of honor that I will do my best to ensure no foul magics befall your husband," Cullen said rather formally, but sincerely.
Anakita nodded. "Okay," she said. "Thanks. Let's go save some elves!"