[Sandbox] Onyx Prairie - Eastern Quarter

[Eye of Horus]

Stats

Strength: 1
Stamina: 3
Speed: 3
Shimmer: 2
Soul: 3
Brawl: 1
Melee: 4
Ranged: 1
Preparation: 1

Terrain Affinity: Desert
Terrain Weakness: Aquatic, Swamp
Element Affinity: Lightning (black arcanite)
Element Weakness: Earth (green arcanite)

Weapon Bonus:12

Character Name:Dariaq Syvanios
Date | Time: 07.01.1323 | Late evening
Location: Gruman Hall, eastern quarter
Wearing: Casual clothes
Tagging | Mentioning: Hulta Elderfond, Chee Tortious, Thessa Almentis, Scarecrow
Notes: Illumination
Dari flexed his hand open and closed, looking down at the black mark and feeling the burn of it long after the physical sensation had faded. Was it a champion’s oath, the mark of a shady deal, or a slave’s brand? Only time would tell. He looked back at the dead Silenus on the floor. Bad people, no doubt - but people whose families would get no closure except lies. Thanks to the same woman who was offering them a chance to stop Ocean and Loz before they caused more death. Dari flexed his hand again, unsure what any man was supposed to make of that.

“On Tuesday, Loz is planning to go after Bri’atlan Whitewater. He’s a retired colonel.”

Loz Averan, butcher of the military. A more calculating person might have kept their recognition of the names quiet. Perhaps asked if Scarecrow knew why the two familiar names were meeting. Dari was not such a person.

“That’s…that’s Bri’s grandfather!” he blurted, looking from Scarecrow to his companions. “We have to stop him! Or at least warn them!”

[Envious]

Stats

Strength: 3
Stamina: 2
Speed: 0
Shimmer: 4
Soul: 4
Brawl: 2
Melee: 1
Ranged: 0
Preparation: 2

Terrain Affinity: Grassland, Desert
Terrain Weakness: Aquatic, Urban
Element Affinity: Lightning, Fire
Element Weakness: Earth, Water

Weapon Bonus: 12+2

Character Name: Thessa Almentis
Date | Time: 1.7.1323 | Late Evening
Location: Eastern Quarter, Gruman Hall
Wearing: clothes
Tagging | Mentioning: Scarecrow, Dari, Hulta, Chee | Eloise, Aurora
Thessa sighed deeply at the news, just as concerned as Dariaq, but far more muted. ”We has got ta catch him. Anythin’ less gunna be a problem.” Eventually someone was going to figure out all roads led to Scarecrow if they weren’t careful. ”Whatcha mean ’pickin’ up where he left off?’ Reckon this personal, or do it got somethin’ ta do with the Myalis Emporium ‘n all they arcanite?” They could ask Lyra - she might be able to contact her family and figure out the purpose of the meeting and get one of their teammates to escort the representative of the Myalis Emporium while the rest hid near Bri’atlan, waiting for their opportunity to strike.

It was an uncommonly tactical thought from her and one she credited to her hours in class. Hours they would have to miss given the timing of the encounter. They were likely to be scolded for their reckless vigilantism, but there might even be real consequences if they came back empty handed with serious injuries incurred.

The elf laced her fingers together and placed them behind her head, craning her neck to look up at the ceiling. Loz was important, but her thoughts drifted to Ocean and the Fairview. What would be up there to watch at eight in the evening? ”That the day of the election,” she realized aloud. ”Likely to be all sorta problems that night ‘n plenty o’ people ready ta take advantage of ‘em.” Something inside of her twisted in anxiety. ”Could be another night like the power outage ‘n prison break.”

[shengami]

Stats

Strength: 1
Stamina: 1
Speed: 5
Shimmer: 2
Soul: 1
Brawl: 1
Melee: 3
Ranged: 1
Preparation: 3

Terrain Affinity: Grassland/Forest
Terrain Weakness: Arctic/Aquatic
Element Affinity: Lightning
Element Weakness: Water

Weapon Bonus: 12+2

Character Name:  Chee Tortious
Date | Time: 01.07.1323 | ~10pm
Location: Gruman Hall - Eastern Quarter
Wearing: dark pants, dark shirt, puffer jacket, beanie, and dark trainers, gloves, Weapons/Gear in a bag
Tagging | Mentioning: Dariaq/ @EyeofHorus  Thessa/ @Envious Hulta/ @TheFluffyOne |
Notes: Speed Check
Chee thumbed over the mark. It didn't look different, but it felt different. It was a physical manifestation of Chee's resolve. What did it matter if the mark doomed him to the infinite Black? It freed Roar, would see Alein defeated, and protect many people because of it. That was his job as a champion; it was not to worry about his personal glory. Besides, he was already doomed. He'd been doomed from day one: ever since baby him had been left, literally, on a doorstep. What did it matter if he was doomed by a pinch or by a pound? Doomed was doomed. At least he could leverage it to buy Mercy for others.

He sighed. The weight felt good. It felt right. It felt uncomfortable in the best way.

He smiled grimly at the idea of checking Ocean's ambitions again. Anything that made that man regret crossing his family and friends was a win. Even if it was not the man himself. That it was the day of the election? Even better to thwart more of that man's plans to break the city. Chee's ears flicked and his tail swayed lazily.

The news about Loz made him blink. Not just the subtle clue that Loz had stuck closer to Ocean. It was a mild confirmation but confirmation that all three were in his orbit. Tools to take away from that man if possible.

So, despite the news that Loz was targeting Bri's grandfather, a man Chee had met when he was working on the farms, he glanced toward Hulta. "We ought ta go see about bot dem opportunities, ya. But. Just in case. Since it was paid for. What was Kim'Blee Crimson up ta?"

Chee looked back to Hulta and smiled. He'd clocked her looks and posture. Saving Bri's granddad was a high priority, yes. But, for all they knew, Kim'Blee was targeting General Blossom or Ettinus or someone else. It was best to get all the information they were selling their souls for. They might not be able to intervene with Kim'Blee, but they had friends who could. Right? He turned to look expectantly at The Scarecrow.

[TheFluffyOne]

Stats

Strength: 1
Stamina: 2
Speed: 3
Shimmer: 5
Soul: 2
Brawl: 0
Melee: 3
Ranged: 1
Preparation: 2

Terrain Affinity: Forest
Terrain Weakness: Aquatic
Element Affinity: Air
Element Weakness: Water

Weapon Bonus: 12+2

Character Name: Hulta Elderfond
Date | Time: 1.7.1323 | Late Evening
Location: Eastern Quarter, Gruman Hall
Wearing: Causal Clothes
Tagging | Mentioning: Scarecrow, Dari, Thessa and Chee
The sting was the lingering reminder what Hulta had truly done. The extension of a contract. The mark now against her name. The lingering debt that would cloud over her until it was gone. If it could be. Hulta’s thumb brushed over the mark again. It didn’t feel like anything more than another freckle but the weight of it crowded into her stomach. Information was gifted by Alysin but Hulta’s gaze remained hazy. Like she wasn’t truly certain who to look at. Another contract was started and Hulta felt her jaw tense again. Another dot on her skin. Hulta felt like her jaw was close to snapping.

Sinking into one of the seats offered, her back was rigid. Like someone had paralysed her in a standing position. Names were flung at them. Information. Loz was their target now and Hulta fought the need to snap at being put on the back burner again. Dari spoke up first, something about Bri’s grandfather. “Why?..To just create chaos” She asked the woman before immediately interrupting her own words to stop the question. “Never mind.” She didn’t want another dot for asking a question. What had begun as a basic question for information was becoming more and more like a stain that could never fully be washed away.

‘Could be another night like the power outage ‘n’ prison break.’

Thessa’s words crackled through her, spiking tension through her spine and her stomach. They could have another repeat of what happened before. Unnecessary death. A nod from Alysin should have calmed her down but she found her fingers curling into fists on her lap. While she knew little over the true reasons for Thessa and Chee’s quarry, she knew that Dari was after Loz for the threat that he posed. For the way he had attacked Marlowe. But Marlowe was still kicking. All Hulta could see was the horrifying mess of almost sizzling flesh as Mugi slumped to the ground.

‘What was Kim’Blee Cirmson up ta?’

Hulta audibly dragged a breath in. She glanced at Chee but her smile didn’t reach her glassy eyes. It barely moved her cheeks. Even a little information may help her feel a little more relaxed about this new situation.

[Aethyrium]

Character Name: Alysin “Scarecrow” Ro Laorin
Date | Time: January 7th, 1323 | Late Evening (~10pm)
Location: Gruman Hall
Wearing: White on white
Tagging | Mentioning: Thessa, Chee, Hulta, Dariaq |
That was a more bold reaction than she had anticipated. Loz was after someone they knew? She wondered if that was a coincidence or not. For someone like Chee or Elle or Aurora, Scarecrow would have stayed silent. But elves were different. They got a level of consideration that wasn’t necessarily strictly professional. Much like she had warned Thessa once, she gave Dari a small tilt of her head, “Ești sigur că asta nu e momeală?” If Loz knew Dari was looking for him, then maybe that’s why he was doing what he was doing. Of course, he had plenty of other reasons to do so.

She looked at Thessa, “Do you not know?” She supposed she hadn’t been with the group after him specifically - but it did raise the question why they were after him. All of them. Especially now that she knew they had been working independently before. Curious, the lives of these squires. “I can’t say if he has any interest in the Myalis Emporium, though I doubt it. Loz Averan was imprisoned for brutally murdering a platoon of soldiers. He, and that platoon, were working under the command of former-colonel Whitewater.”

Nodding, she didn’t have much to add to the speculation about Ocean, however she too had clocked the day. “I don’t know for certain, but I find it difficult to believe Ocean taking action and the day being that of the election is a coincidence.”

Despite Dari’s proclamation, Scarecrow never thought she wouldn’t be giving them both sides of information - after all, she’d gotten it for them. “Now as for your other target,” she grimaced. “Kim’Blee seems to be maintaining some proximity to Ocean, but her focus has actually turned elsewhere. I have it on pretty good authority that she is now working… Alongside? I don’t know if I would say for… The Red Fang. Unsurprising, I suppose. A silenus like her is a powerful ally to the Fang’s current regime.” Alysin glanced over at the corpses, one of which was now actively being rolled up into a plastic for transport.

“Very coincidentally, at the same time Loz is going to be trying to deal with Whitewater, Kim’Blee has plans of her own. Or of the Fang’s, I should say.” Scarecrow seemed somewhat uncertain. “Unfortunately, I can’t tell you much about it. I know when and where she’ll be, but not the why or what she’s doing.” But that’s all they wanted - promises of where they’d be, where they could be found, so it had been good enough. “The Fang has been surveilling a house in the western quarter. Now I don’t know anything about this house, but I suspect it’s some kind of military safehouse. I mean, why else would you send someone like Kim’Blee to breach it?”

[shengami]

Stats

Strength: 1
Stamina: 1
Speed: 5
Shimmer: 2
Soul: 1
Brawl: 1
Melee: 3
Ranged: 1
Preparation: 3

Terrain Affinity: Grassland/Forest
Terrain Weakness: Arctic/Aquatic
Element Affinity: Lightning
Element Weakness: Water

Weapon Bonus: 12+2

Character Name:  Chee Tortious
Date | Time: 01.07.1323 | ~10pm
Location: Gruman Hall - Eastern Quarter
Wearing: dark pants, dark shirt, puffer jacket, beanie, and dark trainers, gloves, Weapons/Gear in a bag
Tagging | Mentioning: Dariaq/ @EyeofHorus  Thessa/ @Envious Hulta/ @TheFluffyOne |
Notes: Gutpunches
Chee listened. It felt like he was peripheral to the center here. It suited him. The information about Loz Averan and Kim'Blee Crimson had been something he was not aware of being in play until a few minutes ago. He got it. Wooshed had personal stakes in those two. The horror of watching a friend and teammate killed in a terrible fashion right before you. Being brutally beaten near to death, along with Marlowe, also couldn't have been fun. Chee'd had experiences near to them in his life. Well, he'd been brutally beaten near to death a couple times now. And he wanted another crack at Adir for many reasons. He got it.

The information on Ocean had been what they had sought and they had it now. A chance, another chance, to hurt the mans' plans and save lives. Chee thought of the names. They weren't the only thing that had him in the red, but they were part of it and he'd like to repay Ocean for his part in that.

The news that Kim'Blee was working in sync with, with, or whatever with the Red Fang had him gritting his teeth. It was another mark in the column against Satin Whyte. Chee could almost conceive a cause that might warrant allying with someone like that. Eradicating the Hollow, the return of the dragons, and a few other things came to mind. But he doubted any of that was in play. Not even the actual saving of the Silenus race. No. He growled low in his throat. Satin's judgement was lacking. He was still hesitant to hold that against the Red Fang as a whole though.

Chee wondered what he'd do if he was in Whyte's position. Not ally with Kim'Blee for sure. He considered it, Loz and Kim'Blee's strikes were on the same day. Was there anything they could do to counter both? They couldn't be at both places at the same time, but how else could they wield this information? He squinted at The Scarecrow. He'd not discuss how they'd use the information here. He didn't trust her. It was strictly professional distrust though. His ears twitched and he looked to the others before adding, "We'll take dat address. See what's what. And I look forward ta hearin bout Josephus in time." It was a tough choice between acting on Loz of Kim'Blee in Chee's mind. If it really was a military installation, then that struck at the heart of some of his current conundrum.

[TheFluffyOne]

Stats

Strength: 1
Stamina: 2
Speed: 3
Shimmer: 5
Soul: 2
Brawl: 0
Melee: 3
Ranged: 1
Preparation: 2

Terrain Affinity: Forest
Terrain Weakness: Aquatic
Element Affinity: Air
Element Weakness: Water

Weapon Bonus: 12+2

Character Name: Hulta Elderfond
Date | Time: 1.7.1323 | Late Evening
Location: Eastern Quarter, Gruman Hall
Wearing: Causal Clothes
Tagging | Mentioning: Scarecrow, Dari, Thessa and Chee
Hulta’s pupils flicked to Chee as Scarecrow flickered into elvish. The one Silenus amongst them would not understand the language and Hulta pondered if that was intentional or just Scarecrows way of driving her point hard to Dari. She didn’t like knowing more about the others they were after. It made her start to contemplate if perhaps they should go after Loz first. Curling her fingers into a fist then stretching her fingers out, she tried to take the comment on Loz as basic information. Like the kind they might be given before a mission.

Kim’Blee’s name had Hulta’s gaze latching to Scarecrow. Every word drank in like it was the most precious of liquor. Working for The Red Fang. Her jaw tensed as she tried to piece that together in her mind. Mugi was…had been a Silenus. She was brutally killed by Kim’Blee. Would the Red Fang have any issue with that, or would they see her a necessary casualty for their aim? Her gaze followed Alysin’s, to the corpse that was being dragged into a plastic tarp. The dead Silenus could know exactly where Kim’Blee was.

The when and where but not the why or what. Her jaw felt like it was close to snapping point. Like her teeth would ping straight from her gums and tumble out her lips. “A house. They were surveilling a house in the western quarter” The thought dug deep into her skull. “What house?” Her voice cracked from her lips as if she had been drinking sand. Why would they send Kim’Blee to breach a house? Hulta knew. When they wanted everyone in dead….and truly dead.

Chee voiced his need to get the address as well. “We can check it out.” She told Scarecrow, agreeing with Chee’s need. Hulta’s fingers slipped down to curl into the fabric of Dari’s shirt. She needed something to root herself or else she would be bolting out this room the moment that house address was given.

[Eye of Horus]

Stats

Strength: 1
Stamina: 3
Speed: 3
Shimmer: 2
Soul: 3
Brawl: 1
Melee: 4
Ranged: 1
Preparation: 1

Terrain Affinity: Desert
Terrain Weakness: Aquatic, Swamp
Element Affinity: Lightning (black arcanite)
Element Weakness: Earth (green arcanite)

Weapon Bonus:12

Character Name:Dariaq Syvanios
Date | Time: 07.01.1323 | Late evening
Location: Gruman Hall, eastern quarter
Wearing: Casual clothes
Tagging | Mentioning: Hulta Elderfond, Chee Tortious, Thessa Almentis, Scarecrow
Notes: Solidarity
“You’re sure this isn’t bait?”

Dari paused for a moment. Averan hated the military and the Hammer institution - he had made that plain enough. Bri’s grandfather happening to be his old commanding officer was certainly sufficient motive on its own. But if Scarecrow could find out information about people, then so could someone else. He bit his cheek, unwilling to start second-guessing himself.

“No, I’m not sure this isn’t bait.” he repeated in Onyxian for Chee’s benefit. “But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to stop him.”

Then, as Scarecrow spoke of Kim’blee, Dari felt Hulta’s hand on him. His eyes moved between her and Chee, taking in what wasn’t being said. Chee’s teeth were gritted, but his tail was still and his words were steady. Hulta though…the tremor in her voice, the death grip she took on his shirt - she was imagining another dozen Mugis.

The silence of the room buzzed, thick with the weight of too many decisions and not enough clarity. Aspen House. The western quarter. Two enemies, two plans. But only one night. Dari exhaled slowly, his heart pounding with the sting of realisation. One of them is going to get away. Dividing their forces seemed unwise after their first clash with the two. And Scarecrow had a point about the risk of leaks that came with bringing others into the plan. And if they did ask for military backup, were they just setting more people up as sacrifices? Averan had already demonstrated his ability to carve through fully-armed OES soldiers.

Dari’s jaw clenched. What would a champion do? Would they find some way to cut through the knot? A champion would act. His mother’s voice in his head was stern. What would she do? La défenseure. She wouldn’t hesitate. She would go straight for the greater threat, protect the most lives. And she would bear the guilt after.

Dari looked at Hulta, her hand still twisted in the cloth of his shirt, and found himself thinking of Ellie, and her advice before the winter ball to do Dari’s look.

What would Dariaq Syvanios do?

It was the question that mattered most. And as Hulta’s hand gripped his shirt, he knew the answer. Dariaq Syvanios would not abandon his wing-partner.

Dari reached down and took Hulta’s hand in his own - a firm, grounding clasp.

“We should go after Crimson.” he said. His voice was soft, but final. “We’ll still warn Bri’s grandfather, as best we can. But if we have to be somewhere…and if it’s us that has to act…”

He looked aside at his wing-partner.

“Then we stop her - together.”

[Envious]

Stats

Strength: 3
Stamina: 2
Speed: 0
Shimmer: 4
Soul: 4
Brawl: 2
Melee: 1
Ranged: 0
Preparation: 2

Terrain Affinity: Grassland, Desert
Terrain Weakness: Aquatic, Urban
Element Affinity: Lightning, Fire
Element Weakness: Earth, Water

Weapon Bonus: 12+2

Character Name: Thessa Almentis
Date | Time: 1.7.1323 | Late Evening
Location: Eastern Quarter, Gruman Hall
Wearing: clothes
Tagging | Mentioning: Scarecrow, Dari, Hulta, Chee | Eloise, Aurora
Did people just decide to brutally murder other people? Thessa couldn’t imagine why people would do that unprovoked, but she found it difficult to understand many things outside of her upbringing. She looked at Hulta; the elf was wound up tight, but Thessa didn’t blame her. There was a lot of guilt that came with losing a partner and all of the what-if worlds that came along with it, but no real way to grieve. There was always something in the way. More missions, more worries, more responsibilities.

”What is we not seein’? Everythin’ here is goin’ back ta the military. It cause they was in the prison by ‘em or somethin’ more?” There had been a passing curiosity about all of the inmates who had escaped, but it hadn’t been her problem. She had enough on her plate these days without taking on more. In a perfect world, they’d hand all of this information over to the OES and military and let them deal with it, but with all of the leaks…? She pinched the bridge of her nose and squeezed her eyes shut as her team spoke.

”Can’t warn Whitewater. Doin’ that means Loz gunna know.” She felt something strain inside of her. Whatever it was stretched so thin that it threatened to snap and her hand went from her face to rub at the back of her neck. ”’n iffin’ we hope ta catch ‘im, can’t do nothin’ that gunna make ‘im harder ta find.” It was an unexpectedly callous statement that hurt. She knew she couldn’t save everyone - her track record spoke volumes to it - but it chipped away at her confidence to know that she had changed so little that sacrifices were just part of her daily practice.

[Eye of Horus]

Stats

Strength: 1
Stamina: 3
Speed: 3
Shimmer: 2
Soul: 3
Brawl: 1
Melee: 4
Ranged: 1
Preparation: 1

Terrain Affinity: Desert
Terrain Weakness: Aquatic, Swamp
Element Affinity: Lightning (black arcanite)
Element Weakness: Earth (green arcanite)

Weapon Bonus:12

Character Name:Dariaq Syvanios
Date | Time: 07.01.1323 | Late evening
Location: Gruman Hall, eastern quarter
Wearing: Casual clothes
Tagging | Mentioning: Hulta Elderfond, Chee Tortious, Thessa Almentis, Scarecrow
Notes: Be better
Dari stared at Thessa as she spoke, his brow creasing as if he hadn’t quite heard her right. Her words were clear, clean, logical. And wrong, so wrong. He respected Thessa too much to not speak his mind to her. He took a sharp breath, and stepped forward.

“No.” he said, louder than he meant. “No way, Thessa. You don’t get to just say that like it’s a...necessary sacrifice.”

He wasn’t sure if the tightening in his chest was anger or disappointment. He tried to gather his thoughts.

“You know who Bri is. But even if you didn’t, you want to treat her grandfather’s life as just a tradeoff? You’d never have said that if it was one of your family we were talking about. Never.”

He remembered saying to his parents one time, in a fit of childish pique, that he didn’t want to be a squire if it meant protecting people like Sephia - an older girl who had called him names and pushed him into the mud earlier that day. He remembered both Mother and Mum looking at him sternly, even though he had been seeking sympathy.

If a single life holds no value, Dari. Mum had said quietly, kneeling to put her hand on his shoulder. Then none are of worth.

It had taken him a while to truly understand that lesson. But he did now. At the end of the day there were only two kinds of creature on Toil: people, and the Hollow. A Champion didn’t refuse to defend someone from a Hollow because they were less deserving. And they didn’t stop evil men like Loz Averan by coldly, knowingly sacrificing someone to his bloodlust.

That’s not what Champions do. Dari’s gaze drifted towards the bodies that Scarecrow’s agents were wrapping up. That’s what the worst of the Red Fang do. That’s what Ocean Spectre does.

He looked back at Thessa then - and he saw the pained cast to her face, the way she was trying to massage the tension from her neck. The need to be a good leader, to make the right call. His voice lost its edge, but not its weight.

“Tu vaux mieux que ça, Thessa Almentis.” he said, soft, but intense. “If it drives Averan underground, fine. We’ll find another way to get to him.”

[Envious]

Stats

Strength: 3
Stamina: 2
Speed: 0
Shimmer: 4
Soul: 4
Brawl: 2
Melee: 1
Ranged: 0
Preparation: 2

Terrain Affinity: Grassland, Desert
Terrain Weakness: Aquatic, Urban
Element Affinity: Lightning, Fire
Element Weakness: Earth, Water

Weapon Bonus: 12+2

Character Name: Thessa Almentis
Date | Time: 1.7.1323 | Late Evening
Location: Eastern Quarter, Gruman Hall
Wearing: clothes
Tagging | Mentioning: Scarecrow, Dari, Hulta, Chee | Eloise, Aurora
She clenched her fists by her side as Dariaq chastised her heartlessness, but she fired back heatedly by jabbing an angry finger towards his chest. ”Ain’t you learnin’ nothin’, Dariaq! Everythin’ in this life is a tradeoff and most of it a sacrifice.” Hadn’t she learned that the hard way? Hadn’t everyone by now? If your life wasn’t snuffed out before its natural time, it was because someone had loved you enough to jump in front of the blade, the bullet, or the bite. ”Don’t act like I is the fool here. I ain’t the one walkin’ away with mine debt increased then doubled just ta throw away the one line of information we got. Loz gunna figure out how we knowed ‘bout it ‘n what you reckon is gunna happen ta the person that said somethin’?” The memory of Everick’s death came to mind. She could feel the wet warmth of his brain splattering against her cheek.

She blinked and focused back on Dariaq and then looked to Hulta and Chee. None of them knew. None of them understood how Ocean dealt with loose ends and people who spoke too much. None of them understood that no matter which choice they made, a life was going to be on the line.

”I- I ain’t sacrificin’ Bri’s family. I is trustin’ that the Colonel is what Bri said he be. If this a personal thing fer Loz, then Whitewater already know ta be prepared fer trouble.” She tugged at her braid and then flung it over her shoulder. ”Loz ain’t mine concern. You is. If you wanna tell Whitewater, I ain’t gunna stop ya ‘n I’ll wait out Loz with ya, But don’t you go ‘n- ‘n-” Her brows furrowed in frustration. “Do not accuse me of sacrificing a life. Do not fault me for valuing the goals of my team above the goals of others. Certainly do not scold me for beginning to understand the rules of engagement for people like Ocean and Loz and Kim’Blee. The ease in which they step into brutality is frightening. They are prepared to sacrifice. They are prepared to make the tradeoff. They are prepared to do this at the expense of others.” She crossed her arms, looking down at the ground as if in shame. Did he know that being better than this might mean never being brutal enough to catch the bad guy? Did she want him to know that? "Don't think unkindly of me."

[Eye of Horus]

Stats

Strength: 1
Stamina: 3
Speed: 3
Shimmer: 2
Soul: 3
Brawl: 1
Melee: 4
Ranged: 1
Preparation: 1

Terrain Affinity: Desert
Terrain Weakness: Aquatic, Swamp
Element Affinity: Lightning (black arcanite)
Element Weakness: Earth (green arcanite)

Weapon Bonus:12

Character Name:Dariaq Syvanios
Date | Time: 07.01.1323 | Late evening
Location: Gruman Hall, eastern quarter
Wearing: Casual clothes
Tagging | Mentioning: Hulta Elderfond, Chee Tortious, Thessa Almentis, Scarecrow
Notes: Elven hand clasp
Sacrifice. Dari stood his ground as Thessa stabbed her finger at his chest like a defensive blade, his grey eyes fixed unblinkingly on her amber ones.

“Any of us can sacrifice by our own choice, yes.” he agreed stoically. “But sacrificing someone else?” He shook his head. “Could you look him in the eye and say it? Could you look at Bri?”

“Don’t act like I is the fool here. I ain’t the one walkin’ away with mine debt increased then doubled just ta throw away the one line of information we got.”

“That’s my sacrifice to make.” Dari replied; angrier than he had intended, for her words were sharpened by a grain of truth. He took a breath. “If we can’t catch them both this time, then we will the next. And if it spooks Averan into laying low instead of committing more murder, then that’s even better.”

Thessa blinked, and shook her head. “Loz gunna figure out how we knowed ‘bout it ‘n what you reckon is gunna happen ta the person that said somethin’?”

Dari could see something swimming behind her eyes. Was it Farrah? Orym? Or someone else? She stumbled her words, clinging to her arguments like a drowning woman. All the same, it was enough to make Dari consider his own convictions. Would they be able to beat Ocean and Loz in a world that cared not for what tactics one stooped to in order to win? Was it worth it to try and be better when Onyx had already shown him so many murky shades between black and white?

Yes, he knew then with absolute certainty. Yes it is.

It was Thessa’s last words that moved him, though. He bit the inside of his cheek, and switched to elvish.

“I don’t think unkindly of you, Thessa Almentis of Nosmar. And I won’t, so long as you let me hold you to your own standard. I know the kind of person you really are.”

He looked at her: arms folded defiantly, but her eyes on the ground by her feet.

“I know you’ll find a way. And I’ll follow you. We all will.”

He held up his forearm, palm towards himself, and watched her. Half challenge, half show of trust.

[Envious]

Stats

Strength: 3
Stamina: 2
Speed: 0
Shimmer: 4
Soul: 4
Brawl: 2
Melee: 1
Ranged: 0
Preparation: 2

Terrain Affinity: Grassland, Desert
Terrain Weakness: Aquatic, Urban
Element Affinity: Lightning, Fire
Element Weakness: Earth, Water

Weapon Bonus: 12+2

Character Name: Thessa Almentis
Date | Time: 1.7.1323 | Late Evening
Location: Eastern Quarter, Gruman Hall
Wearing: clothes
Tagging | Mentioning: Scarecrow, Dari, Hulta, Chee | Eloise, Aurora
Gods, that self-righteous attitude was straight out of Farrah’s mouth and it struck Thessa to her core. How dare he be willing to sacrifice so deeply to keep from compromising what he was fighting for! She didn’t care if it was selfish, she wanted to live without seeing anything more taken away from her. Somehow, that had turned her into the person who was willing to let others get hurt so she didn’t have to, and Dariaq drawing attention to it made her deeply uncomfortable. Dari couldn’t possibly know the kind of person she really was - she hardly knew herself these days. But… there was something alluring about being the kind of person Dariaq imagined her as. It was what she had pretended to be when claiming Farrah’s name upon arrival at the academy. Slowly, she dragged her eyes up, gaze lingering on his salute before finding his face.

“I can think of no better man to hold me accountable.”

-end scene-