TIMESTAMP: 1st First Bloom, Glade, 4622
NOTES: -
NOTES: -
► Show Spoiler
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Once he’d dressed, Degare left Arkash behind in his bedroom and went out into the house to find Lucia. By the time the sun rose, she was usually awake. When he knocked on her door, there was no answer– the woman must be elsewhere in the house. Knowing the places that were common for her to spend her time, he figured it wouldn’t be long before he came across the woman.
Correct in this assumption, he found her sitting at the table beneath the gazebo in the garden. She liked to be out here because it was usually rather quiet, especially early in the morning. The garden itself provided a lovely atmosphere, too.
Sitting down across from her, the Veir greeted his Valran, though he would appear to her as somewhat nervous. Most unusual, especially for him when interacting with her; the two of them were quite close, neither ever really had use for nerves concerning one another. Jade eyes drifted from the text she was reading and onto Degare, a brow perked as she read the emotion on his body. “Something wrong?” The question was posed with a tone that indicated she already knew the answer. She had no reason to believe there was, but to her, the Ferrier was fairly predictable– to hold himself like this was a sign that something was, at the very least, off with him.
Fidgeting with his fingers, Degare bit his lip and then sighed, shaking his head. Ever since he’d left the manor and approached, he’d been actively avoiding meeting her gaze. This situation was foreign to him…he had no idea how to navigate it, for one, and for two, he knew that the path he’d already chosen to walk would hurt one of his dearest confidants. She sat in silence, arms crossed, expression inquisitive. She knew he’d talk eventually, but the silence did fill her with a sense of growing dread. What now? What could have possibly happened? Why couldn’t either of them have any kind of extended period of peace? For all those years in which nothing happened, Degare had never been happy. From the moment he’d found something that had finally brought him joy, his life had been thrown into turmoil. How could it possibly have gotten worse?
The silence between them was deafening. He could hear his own breathing, the rush of blood through his veins.
“I…have to leave.” Finally, he spoke. Her eyes narrowed and her brows knit together in response; she said nothing. What did he mean? Leave for where? “It’s Valentin Malo of all people…” He spoke with a trail and had begun to anxiously pace back and forth at this point.
Lucia recognized the name he’d spoken and the expression donning her features only grew more bewildered, yet silent she stayed. Valentin had no reason to hunt Degare. None. She’d made sure of it herself to keep all of his secrets quiet. So…it had to be Arkash. Right? She was good at her job, she was certain of this, if nothing else.
Continuing, “Arkash made a mistake. In, ah…going back to Raphael alone. Much as I saw that coming, I was hoping that the end result would be different.” He sighed. Loudly. “The trading of marks was a trap; it played out exactly as we’d concluded. But…instead of death, he’s earned himself a failed Nightfall initiation and the ire of House Mathis. For the woes he has caused, Raphael has chosen to hire a bloodthirsty Sunderer as his would-be executioner. There is not a corner of Daravin proper wherein one can escape that man’s relentless hunt, therefore…” It was rare for Degare to display genuine anger of any sort. “The only solution is to leave. For…he and I to leave.”
Again, what? For where? Before she reacted, she really did want to hear him out. However…staying silent was becoming hard.
“It is…rather unfortunate, but we simply don’t have much time for extended planning. We’re going to Genteven today– the actual destination being Nivenhain in Lorien, I…he claims to know somebody there that has mastery over Resonance. He claims they can give that mark to me; my intention is to use it to make Shard Resonators because we can’t stay in Lorien, obviously. At least…I can’t. And neither of us want to part…” When he spoke, he spoke quickly, though he did pause somewhat frequently. “The second part of the plan is that we return…but return to the Badlands. It will inevitably take me some time to learn to craft those crystals and that’s where he’ll need to stay; it's the only place that Valentin won’t be able to find him. So until…until I can make the resonators, I’ll be there too. I don’t actually know how long this will take but, please…” Over the course of his speech, he went from frustrated to exasperated and finally, towards the end, his tone shifted to pleading, almost desperate.
“Please. Work with Lola to excuse my absence. I’ll be back as soon as I can, but I was nearly useless for the latter part of Frost and most of this month when I thought Arkash had passed. I don’t know how I’d tolerate knowing he’s just…in the Badlands, one of the least predictable of places, with no way to contact him whatsoever…” Though he trailed off again, he quickly picked up his speech, “...Find a way to trick Cain into wandering the Badlands. I’m sure he’ll find us. Once he does, you and I will have contact again.” This last part was something that he’d just thought of, but actually was a pretty decent suggestion. Cain was naturally an explorer and if Degare was conveniently gone, the man’s curiosity would probably drive him to find the elf, if for no other reason than to figure out just what the fuck he was doing.
At this point, the Veir had concluded his explanation. Lucia now knew why he had been so…anxious about speaking. Much as on the surface she appeared collected, perhaps not calm, but at least collected, the woman was incensed. For one thing, this request was ridiculous and would be a lot of work to accomplish. For another, what kind of maniac would willingly risk the life of luxury that Degare led for…a Dranoch? A beast? A monster?
The younger elf squinted, eyes narrowing further, but then, she simply sighed and shook her head, burying her face in her hands. What was he thinking? Though she asked herself this question, Lucia knew the answer. He was always a fool when in love. The only difference with Averre, really, is that Averre had the social status to protect himself from absolutely absurd things like this.
Clearly upset, "You…are an idiot and I hate you." She meant the first part; she genuinely thought that, in this scenario, Degare was making a decision only an idiot would make. The second? Merely an expression of her anger and disbelief. "...yet I have pledged my loyalty to you. So be it." From the press of her jaw and the curt tone of her voice, it was obvious she was suppressing a lot of anger.
"But tell me, how long of a wait is too long? It isn't as if our lifespans are short. How long will you make House Socorro exist without a head? I don't care that you've no way of divining the future. You have one year. Should I be forced to wait any longer, your reign ends. Either Lola or I will take over, regardless of if you ever come back." Under pretty much any other circumstances, the woman would happily do whatever Degare said without much thought or protest. This, however, would be an absolutely massive undertaking to thoroughly disguise just exactly why the hell a Veir of his status would just be…gone. Gone for an unknown amount of time, at that.
"I…" That one syllable is all he managed to say before his voice faded out again. The Veir is clearly taken aback by this, though he does not appear to be offended. Rather, he looks almost…forlorn? Sad. Perhaps a bit frustrated. Underneath is all, however, one would be able to see acceptance marred by pain. "Fine. That's…fine." It was uncommon for Degare to actually have to directly face consequences for his actions and he could only hope that this particular one would not come to pass. Such a thing would be…quite unfortunate for him, indeed.
Cold, clear jade eyes stare through the Veir, arms now crossed once again under the breast of the Valran. Her gaze was like a knife; it cut straight through him. She hid all of her emotion well when she wanted to– in this scenario, the only things visible in her expression would be a combination of hurt and anger. The truth of what she felt was a lot more complex, but in these moments, Lucia had no desire to show him the rest. "Be on your way, then. We all know of Valentin's unrelenting competence." She almost spits the last few words. It was very clear that she intended to show no kindness to her Veir until his return.
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Once he’d dressed, Degare left Arkash behind in his bedroom and went out into the house to find Lucia. By the time the sun rose, she was usually awake. When he knocked on her door, there was no answer– the woman must be elsewhere in the house. Knowing the places that were common for her to spend her time, he figured it wouldn’t be long before he came across the woman.
Correct in this assumption, he found her sitting at the table beneath the gazebo in the garden. She liked to be out here because it was usually rather quiet, especially early in the morning. The garden itself provided a lovely atmosphere, too.
Sitting down across from her, the Veir greeted his Valran, though he would appear to her as somewhat nervous. Most unusual, especially for him when interacting with her; the two of them were quite close, neither ever really had use for nerves concerning one another. Jade eyes drifted from the text she was reading and onto Degare, a brow perked as she read the emotion on his body. “Something wrong?” The question was posed with a tone that indicated she already knew the answer. She had no reason to believe there was, but to her, the Ferrier was fairly predictable– to hold himself like this was a sign that something was, at the very least, off with him.
Fidgeting with his fingers, Degare bit his lip and then sighed, shaking his head. Ever since he’d left the manor and approached, he’d been actively avoiding meeting her gaze. This situation was foreign to him…he had no idea how to navigate it, for one, and for two, he knew that the path he’d already chosen to walk would hurt one of his dearest confidants. She sat in silence, arms crossed, expression inquisitive. She knew he’d talk eventually, but the silence did fill her with a sense of growing dread. What now? What could have possibly happened? Why couldn’t either of them have any kind of extended period of peace? For all those years in which nothing happened, Degare had never been happy. From the moment he’d found something that had finally brought him joy, his life had been thrown into turmoil. How could it possibly have gotten worse?
The silence between them was deafening. He could hear his own breathing, the rush of blood through his veins.
“I…have to leave.” Finally, he spoke. Her eyes narrowed and her brows knit together in response; she said nothing. What did he mean? Leave for where? “It’s Valentin Malo of all people…” He spoke with a trail and had begun to anxiously pace back and forth at this point.
Lucia recognized the name he’d spoken and the expression donning her features only grew more bewildered, yet silent she stayed. Valentin had no reason to hunt Degare. None. She’d made sure of it herself to keep all of his secrets quiet. So…it had to be Arkash. Right? She was good at her job, she was certain of this, if nothing else.
Continuing, “Arkash made a mistake. In, ah…going back to Raphael alone. Much as I saw that coming, I was hoping that the end result would be different.” He sighed. Loudly. “The trading of marks was a trap; it played out exactly as we’d concluded. But…instead of death, he’s earned himself a failed Nightfall initiation and the ire of House Mathis. For the woes he has caused, Raphael has chosen to hire a bloodthirsty Sunderer as his would-be executioner. There is not a corner of Daravin proper wherein one can escape that man’s relentless hunt, therefore…” It was rare for Degare to display genuine anger of any sort. “The only solution is to leave. For…he and I to leave.”
Again, what? For where? Before she reacted, she really did want to hear him out. However…staying silent was becoming hard.
“It is…rather unfortunate, but we simply don’t have much time for extended planning. We’re going to Genteven today– the actual destination being Nivenhain in Lorien, I…he claims to know somebody there that has mastery over Resonance. He claims they can give that mark to me; my intention is to use it to make Shard Resonators because we can’t stay in Lorien, obviously. At least…I can’t. And neither of us want to part…” When he spoke, he spoke quickly, though he did pause somewhat frequently. “The second part of the plan is that we return…but return to the Badlands. It will inevitably take me some time to learn to craft those crystals and that’s where he’ll need to stay; it's the only place that Valentin won’t be able to find him. So until…until I can make the resonators, I’ll be there too. I don’t actually know how long this will take but, please…” Over the course of his speech, he went from frustrated to exasperated and finally, towards the end, his tone shifted to pleading, almost desperate.
“Please. Work with Lola to excuse my absence. I’ll be back as soon as I can, but I was nearly useless for the latter part of Frost and most of this month when I thought Arkash had passed. I don’t know how I’d tolerate knowing he’s just…in the Badlands, one of the least predictable of places, with no way to contact him whatsoever…” Though he trailed off again, he quickly picked up his speech, “...Find a way to trick Cain into wandering the Badlands. I’m sure he’ll find us. Once he does, you and I will have contact again.” This last part was something that he’d just thought of, but actually was a pretty decent suggestion. Cain was naturally an explorer and if Degare was conveniently gone, the man’s curiosity would probably drive him to find the elf, if for no other reason than to figure out just what the fuck he was doing.
At this point, the Veir had concluded his explanation. Lucia now knew why he had been so…anxious about speaking. Much as on the surface she appeared collected, perhaps not calm, but at least collected, the woman was incensed. For one thing, this request was ridiculous and would be a lot of work to accomplish. For another, what kind of maniac would willingly risk the life of luxury that Degare led for…a Dranoch? A beast? A monster?
The younger elf squinted, eyes narrowing further, but then, she simply sighed and shook her head, burying her face in her hands. What was he thinking? Though she asked herself this question, Lucia knew the answer. He was always a fool when in love. The only difference with Averre, really, is that Averre had the social status to protect himself from absolutely absurd things like this.
Clearly upset, "You…are an idiot and I hate you." She meant the first part; she genuinely thought that, in this scenario, Degare was making a decision only an idiot would make. The second? Merely an expression of her anger and disbelief. "...yet I have pledged my loyalty to you. So be it." From the press of her jaw and the curt tone of her voice, it was obvious she was suppressing a lot of anger.
"But tell me, how long of a wait is too long? It isn't as if our lifespans are short. How long will you make House Socorro exist without a head? I don't care that you've no way of divining the future. You have one year. Should I be forced to wait any longer, your reign ends. Either Lola or I will take over, regardless of if you ever come back." Under pretty much any other circumstances, the woman would happily do whatever Degare said without much thought or protest. This, however, would be an absolutely massive undertaking to thoroughly disguise just exactly why the hell a Veir of his status would just be…gone. Gone for an unknown amount of time, at that.
"I…" That one syllable is all he managed to say before his voice faded out again. The Veir is clearly taken aback by this, though he does not appear to be offended. Rather, he looks almost…forlorn? Sad. Perhaps a bit frustrated. Underneath is all, however, one would be able to see acceptance marred by pain. "Fine. That's…fine." It was uncommon for Degare to actually have to directly face consequences for his actions and he could only hope that this particular one would not come to pass. Such a thing would be…quite unfortunate for him, indeed.
Cold, clear jade eyes stare through the Veir, arms now crossed once again under the breast of the Valran. Her gaze was like a knife; it cut straight through him. She hid all of her emotion well when she wanted to– in this scenario, the only things visible in her expression would be a combination of hurt and anger. The truth of what she felt was a lot more complex, but in these moments, Lucia had no desire to show him the rest. "Be on your way, then. We all know of Valentin's unrelenting competence." She almost spits the last few words. It was very clear that she intended to show no kindness to her Veir until his return.
____
'Thoughts'
"Common Tongue/Speech"
"Raillen Tongue/Speech"
"Silvain Tongue/Speech"
'Thoughts'
"Common Tongue/Speech"
"Raillen Tongue/Speech"
"Silvain Tongue/Speech"
