The Liandrils build up their mana enough to return home. They do so; the hotel charges Isabella a steep fee for the room service and the stay itself but not enough to break the bank and not enough to represent damage to the premises or anything.
They teleport away from their daemons, experience a moment of barely-there discomfort apiece, and keep them in a well-warded closet together where they will not be readily discovered or vulnerable.
The Liandrils report on the situation to some other mages.
Some other mages are... even more concerned than they are.
This Isabella character has clearly got to go, or at least be brought under some reasonable semblance of control.
What is the obvious way to do this?
Well, to these mages, the obvious way is:
They scry on her owl. He is having a rest in this tree, correspondence about obscure magic attached to his leg; he's not near her, but as they understand it, that doesn't mean there's no connection to exploit.
They come in a group so they don't need to linger longer than is necessary to seize the bird in three pairs of coordinated hands and then disappear again.
Miles away, in her kitchen, with a vial of safflower oil in one hand and a spellbook in the other, Isabella collapses breathlessly to the floor and convulses.
Generated:
Post last updated:
birds
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
Adarin is present in the kitchen, sitting at the table working on the project for Zeviana's cloudpine facsimile. He's making progress with Vern's help, and maybe has a working spell idea set up. He's thinking about how much the pine needles will factor in to cushion the cloudpine's drag when Isabella collapses.
"... Isabella?" he gasps, and he's out of the chair and by her side in a heartbeat. Adarin takes her hand. "Love? Love, what's wrong?"
Vernaia follows, fluttering to the floor and looking at Isabella with concern.
"... Isabella?" he gasps, and he's out of the chair and by her side in a heartbeat. Adarin takes her hand. "Love? Love, what's wrong?"
Vernaia follows, fluttering to the floor and looking at Isabella with concern.
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
Isabella squeezes his hand like she's dangling off a cliff. She seems to be having trouble getting the breath to speak, her eyes are pouring tears, and she looks -
Like Adarin felt, when Enathira had Vern.
Maybe worse. (Three sets of hands...)
"Path," she whimpers, when she's finally managed to draw in a wisp of air.
Like Adarin felt, when Enathira had Vern.
Maybe worse. (Three sets of hands...)
"Path," she whimpers, when she's finally managed to draw in a wisp of air.
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
He tries to think of an appropriate curse word, but even with fluency in three languages - he can't think of one strong enough. It's an absurd thing, to think, in this situation, but it's the first thing he thinks of. The next is that he will kill whoever's responsible. It's still an alien feeling, even after Enathira. Even after he wanted to kill someone.
Adarin holds her. "I'll stop it," he hisses, blinking away tears. "It will stop, I swear. I will murder them."
He scries. He aims for Path, and that's easy because his other half is right there. (She's right there suffering, she's in agony, fuck, the woman he loves is breaking in front of him and he can barely think.) But he can't think. He misses things off of his checklist. All he can think about is how it must feel for her and how she must be in agony and how in the hell can those bastards do this to her?
The spell fizzles. He's momentarily stunned by the backlash of too much light, too much color, and the shock of failing a simple scry. He hasn't done that since he was eight.
Adarin holds her. "I'll stop it," he hisses, blinking away tears. "It will stop, I swear. I will murder them."
He scries. He aims for Path, and that's easy because his other half is right there. (She's right there suffering, she's in agony, fuck, the woman he loves is breaking in front of him and he can barely think.) But he can't think. He misses things off of his checklist. All he can think about is how it must feel for her and how she must be in agony and how in the hell can those bastards do this to her?
The spell fizzles. He's momentarily stunned by the backlash of too much light, too much color, and the shock of failing a simple scry. He hasn't done that since he was eight.
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
Isabella manages a great gasp, which she holds as though drowning, and scrambles to get ahold of more of Adarin than just his hand, and clings, hard enough to make it difficult for him to breathe too, fingernails digging into his back. "My Path," she whispers, voice thin and high.
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"I- I'm.." he mumbles, then he closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. He cannot afford this. Isabella needs him. He can freak out later, he's a fucking adult and he will not stand by while this happens.
He wraps his arms around her. Then furiously, systematically, he goes down his checklist for a scry. He will fucking find these people and they will die. Not be stopped, not get Path away from them - they will die, they will never do it again. They will never do anything ever again.
This one works. He finds Path. There are - there are three of them, at least, and it's like his heart's breaking. Or maybe like it's stopped, he can't tell. One of them, surely. Oh, his Isabella's poor Path.
Vern retrieves his spell book - he needs to make a teleportation spell. He does, as he tries not to cry because they're touching Path. Adarin finds the teleportation spell. He fusses with it, to fix it for his purposes. Absently, he thinks about all of the backups and safeties in his spells to prevent anyone from getting hurt. He did it obsessively, he thought it part of his being - he will not kill anyone, that crosses a line.
He thinks about which ones are easiest to un-muzzle. Which ones would have the sharpest claws with the minimum amount of effort. He turns out to be incredibly creative when it comes to plotting murder. Adarin realizes with cold uncaring that he has lots of ways to kill people. He was only forcing himself to play nice. And now he isn't going to.
He makes the teleportation spell. Isabella is still clinging. "Isabella - Isabella, love, I will make this stop, but you have to let me go," he whispers, hands shaking. He doesn't feel anything but cold, seething anger and growing horror. Not even her nails, digging into his back. They should hurt, but he doesn't notice.
He wraps his arms around her. Then furiously, systematically, he goes down his checklist for a scry. He will fucking find these people and they will die. Not be stopped, not get Path away from them - they will die, they will never do it again. They will never do anything ever again.
This one works. He finds Path. There are - there are three of them, at least, and it's like his heart's breaking. Or maybe like it's stopped, he can't tell. One of them, surely. Oh, his Isabella's poor Path.
Vern retrieves his spell book - he needs to make a teleportation spell. He does, as he tries not to cry because they're touching Path. Adarin finds the teleportation spell. He fusses with it, to fix it for his purposes. Absently, he thinks about all of the backups and safeties in his spells to prevent anyone from getting hurt. He did it obsessively, he thought it part of his being - he will not kill anyone, that crosses a line.
He thinks about which ones are easiest to un-muzzle. Which ones would have the sharpest claws with the minimum amount of effort. He turns out to be incredibly creative when it comes to plotting murder. Adarin realizes with cold uncaring that he has lots of ways to kill people. He was only forcing himself to play nice. And now he isn't going to.
He makes the teleportation spell. Isabella is still clinging. "Isabella - Isabella, love, I will make this stop, but you have to let me go," he whispers, hands shaking. He doesn't feel anything but cold, seething anger and growing horror. Not even her nails, digging into his back. They should hurt, but he doesn't notice.
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"Adarin," whimpers Isabella, breath coming only in sharp pants. If she understood him this is not at all clear. She holds him tighter.
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
Adarin kisses her forehead, trying not to sob.
He considers taking her to her parents - but he needs his mana. He needs it to kill, he can't afford the time it would take to get to them, can't afford losing the power necessary to take himself and Path back home, to get him to Isabella as soon as possible.
"Vern - Vern, what do I do," he whimpers. "Fuck, I can't leave her like this, not alone, not now -"
His daemon is shaking. They share a look. There is an obvious solution.
Vernaia makes a sound, in her throat - and then she is in Isabella's arms, forcing her way there, getting between Isabella and Adarin.
He considers taking her to her parents - but he needs his mana. He needs it to kill, he can't afford the time it would take to get to them, can't afford losing the power necessary to take himself and Path back home, to get him to Isabella as soon as possible.
"Vern - Vern, what do I do," he whimpers. "Fuck, I can't leave her like this, not alone, not now -"
His daemon is shaking. They share a look. There is an obvious solution.
Vernaia makes a sound, in her throat - and then she is in Isabella's arms, forcing her way there, getting between Isabella and Adarin.
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
Isabella's arms are bare; he hasn't gotten around to enchanting her armor yet. She feels it, when Vernaia insinuates herself: feathers and intimacy the other way around from the one that's making her want somebody to die, her or them. She's startled enough to go limp, to release Adarin, to say - "Vern - you - can't -"
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
It's not the same as it was before. It's not - it doesn't hurt. He can think, he can feel, and it's like Isabella's - there, in his soul. Hurting, in agony, reminding him that the woman he loves is being tortured. It's not a pleasant feeling, by any means, but it's not debilitating. He can function.
Vern doesn't say anything, she just cuddles closer to Isabella, whimpering.
"I love you," says Adarin. Then he teleports to where Path is.
Vern doesn't say anything, she just cuddles closer to Isabella, whimpering.
"I love you," says Adarin. Then he teleports to where Path is.
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
Isabella doesn't clutch at Vern the way she was clinging to Adarin. She lies limp on the floor, just - refraining from batting the kagu away from the circle of her arms. She has enough presence of mind to leave plenty of escape route if it turns sour. But she doesn't turn down the offered comfort.
"Path," she whispers again.
Her daemon is surrounded by three mages, screaming without words, and there are more mages in the room, and none of them are pleased to see Adarin.
"Path," she whispers again.
Her daemon is surrounded by three mages, screaming without words, and there are more mages in the room, and none of them are pleased to see Adarin.
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
Adarin doesn't care if they're pleased to see him or not. He does not make demands. This is not a negotiation.
Of his repertoire of murder, he chooses the easiest. Shield, with a contingency removed - a continuous object will not be separated from itself. The first two mages touching Path die within a second. Bisected, the both of them. He also doesn't care that it's not a humane death, it's the easiest and fastest and so it's what he uses.
Of his repertoire of murder, he chooses the easiest. Shield, with a contingency removed - a continuous object will not be separated from itself. The first two mages touching Path die within a second. Bisected, the both of them. He also doesn't care that it's not a humane death, it's the easiest and fastest and so it's what he uses.
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
The other mages have a few combat-applicable spells of their own. They start muttering their own reminders and mnemonics -
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
It's strange how things as so - slow, now. How they seem to take forever to react, to fight back. He'd practiced his reaction times with shields, didn't he? Completely silently? It's so easy it's absurd. It's like they didn't even know they shouldn't have done this.
The ones obviously casting die. He is not feeling creative, despite his creative ideas before he arrived. No, he's going to use the one that works. Slice, slice. Bisect, bisect - he can kill more than one at once, if they're close to each other. He does that, he is systematic. The last touching Path also dies.
The ones obviously casting die. He is not feeling creative, despite his creative ideas before he arrived. No, he's going to use the one that works. Slice, slice. Bisect, bisect - he can kill more than one at once, if they're close to each other. He does that, he is systematic. The last touching Path also dies.
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
Path's wail cuts off abruptly.
One of the other mages dives for the limp, panting owl, who hasn't the energy to do more than slightly shuffle away from the lunge.
(One runs for her life. One has fallen to his knees over a murdered relative. One is backed up against a wall, screaming.)
One of the other mages dives for the limp, panting owl, who hasn't the energy to do more than slightly shuffle away from the lunge.
(One runs for her life. One has fallen to his knees over a murdered relative. One is backed up against a wall, screaming.)
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
Adarin kills the one that lunges for Path. Beheading, this time. He doesn't even care, it's just something that needs to be done. Absurdly, a Wikipedia fact about the brain surviving a while longer after beheading pops into his head. He doesn't feel anything but calm satisfaction that the mage is dead.
It's not even like they're strangers, like he can vilify them. He could name every one, if he wanted to - most of them have families. He can't bring himself to care.
Impassively, he looks at the surviving mages in the room. Any ones that look like threats?
It's not even like they're strangers, like he can vilify them. He could name every one, if he wanted to - most of them have families. He can't bring himself to care.
Impassively, he looks at the surviving mages in the room. Any ones that look like threats?
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
Kneeling-over-dead-relative looks mad enough to attack, if not necessarily collected enough to pull it off.
Path flings himself off the table he's sitting on to dig his talons into the front of Adarin's shirt. He does not, in so doing, make contact, but he's not being careful either.
Path flings himself off the table he's sitting on to dig his talons into the front of Adarin's shirt. He does not, in so doing, make contact, but he's not being careful either.
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"Try it," informs Adarin, in a cold voice, detached voice. "And I will kill you. Don't, and I won't."
There is no hesitation in his eyes. He just killed - what, half a dozen mages? More? He thinks it's more, he wasn't counting. One more is nothing.
"... Path," he says, when the daemon flings himself at him. Adarin's watching the potential threat and trying not to lose his nerve at the thought of touching Path right now, hurting Isabella even more. "Path, I don't want to hurt you."
There is no hesitation in his eyes. He just killed - what, half a dozen mages? More? He thinks it's more, he wasn't counting. One more is nothing.
"... Path," he says, when the daemon flings himself at him. Adarin's watching the potential threat and trying not to lose his nerve at the thought of touching Path right now, hurting Isabella even more. "Path, I don't want to hurt you."
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"Home," says Path plaintively. "Can you? Do you have enough -? My Isabella -"
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"I have enough," asserts Adarin. He has the spell ready, he thought it out before he came here.
He looks at the surviving mages in the room, before he goes. The same cold, detached stare. "There will not be a repeat incident," he says.
Then he casts the spell, and he takes them home.
He looks at the surviving mages in the room, before he goes. The same cold, detached stare. "There will not be a repeat incident," he says.
Then he casts the spell, and he takes them home.
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
Path drops off of Adarin's shirt to the floor as soon as they're there, shuffles forward to his witch. She eases away from Vern to sit up slowly, owl in her arms, tears streaming down her face, absolutely silent.
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
Adarin scoops Vern into his arms, shaking and - and covered in gore. Neat was not on the top of his priorities. Killing them was.
"A-Are you okay?" he croaks.
"A-Are you okay?" he croaks.
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"N-no. I'll - it'll - no."
She has her fingers buried in Path's feathers, her lips pressed to the top of his head.
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
He nods. He sits onto the ground, next to her, shivering.
The first thing he can think of to say is that he botched the first scry and he could have been faster. In a low, wavering voice, he says, "Isabella - Path, fuck, I'm so sorry, I - I should have been faster, I -"
The first thing he can think of to say is that he botched the first scry and he could have been faster. In a low, wavering voice, he says, "Isabella - Path, fuck, I'm so sorry, I - I should have been faster, I -"
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
Isabella lifts one trembling hand and puts a finger over his lips.
"Thank you," she murmurs.
"Thank you," she murmurs.
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
He nearly sobs, but manages a nod. He doesn't say what he wants to: But I botched the scry I could have been faster. This isn't about him. Not right now.
"You're welcome," he says quietly. "I - is there - anything I can do?"
"You're welcome," he says quietly. "I - is there - anything I can do?"
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
Isabella wraps both arms around Path again. She leans her head on Adarin's shoulder.
"I don't know."
"I don't know."
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
He nods, again. Adarin can't bring himself to unpeel himself from Vern, but he wraps an arm around Isabella. Vern is on the other side, shivering a little.
"Okay. I love you."
"Okay. I love you."
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"I love you," she sighs, closing her eyes. "You're - you gave me - are you okay -"
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"Yes," he says quietly. "It - didn't hurt."
It wasn't pleasant, either, though.
It wasn't pleasant, either, though.
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"Okay."
Unprompted to do otherwise, she will spend a long time here on the floor, Path held to her chest, tucked under Adarin's arm with her head on his shoulder.
Unprompted to do otherwise, she will spend a long time here on the floor, Path held to her chest, tucked under Adarin's arm with her head on his shoulder.
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
Adarin is probably not going to move for a while, either. He holds her, and he thinks.
He just killed people. People he knew, even. He would have thought it would have meant something to him, that he would feel disgust with himself. Or guilt or - or something. But he doesn't. He just feels nothing about them in particular. They needed to die, so they did.
The one thing he does feel is that he could have been faster, maybe he could have killed the three touching Path before the others, not just two. Maybe he could have figured out the teleportation spell faster. He could have gotten the scrying spell right the first try. There are a thousand things he could have done better.
So he's going to be lost in his thoughts, for a while. While he goes over every single one.
He just killed people. People he knew, even. He would have thought it would have meant something to him, that he would feel disgust with himself. Or guilt or - or something. But he doesn't. He just feels nothing about them in particular. They needed to die, so they did.
The one thing he does feel is that he could have been faster, maybe he could have killed the three touching Path before the others, not just two. Maybe he could have figured out the teleportation spell faster. He could have gotten the scrying spell right the first try. There are a thousand things he could have done better.
So he's going to be lost in his thoughts, for a while. While he goes over every single one.
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
After nearly an hour, Path murmurs, "Maybe some day if it's safe and the magic checks out -"
Isabella shivers, but agrees, "Maybe."
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"Hm?" says Adarin, stirred from self-torment party of one.
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"After absolutely everybody who was less terrible, maybe," says Path.
"Maybe," says Isabella again. "If it's safe."
"Beating death," Path explains quietly for Adarin's benefit.
"Two-phase plan," Isabella murmurs.
"Maybe," says Isabella again. "If it's safe."
"Beating death," Path explains quietly for Adarin's benefit.
"Two-phase plan," Isabella murmurs.
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"... Oh," he mumbles, quietly.
He doesn't know what else to say. So he doesn't say anything. He was the one who killed them, after all.
He doesn't know what else to say. So he doesn't say anything. He was the one who killed them, after all.
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"After absolutely everybody who was less terrible, maybe," repeats Path.
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"Okay," he replies.
He realizes that he didn't even care if they just stayed dead. It didn't matter. If they stay gone he will not care. At all.
Vern doesn't say anything. She can't even look at Adarin.
He realizes that he didn't even care if they just stayed dead. It didn't matter. If they stay gone he will not care. At all.
Vern doesn't say anything. She can't even look at Adarin.
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
Isabella snuggles Path. She turns herself in towards Adarin, presses closer.
Path still isn't touching him, but they're not being careful.
Path still isn't touching him, but they're not being careful.
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
He hugs her back. He notices the lack of care, and he - he can't help but say, so quietly it can barely be heard, "I killed them. And I don't care."
Maybe it's a warning to Path, or Isabella. That they should back off because he is terrified of himself.
"We thought - we thought we would care, that it would matter to us," supplies Vern. "We - we value life, but..."
"But neither of us feel a sliver of guilt that I just killed - fuck I don't even know how many people. They can be gone forever, no retrieving them, and I won't give a damn."
Maybe it's a warning to Path, or Isabella. That they should back off because he is terrified of himself.
"We thought - we thought we would care, that it would matter to us," supplies Vern. "We - we value life, but..."
"But neither of us feel a sliver of guilt that I just killed - fuck I don't even know how many people. They can be gone forever, no retrieving them, and I won't give a damn."
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"We aren't about to mourn either," Isabella murmurs. "There are billions of people more worth it in line ahead of them. For grief or resurrection or anything else."
Path says, "We thought it might make you feel better that it might not be forever. If it doesn't matter that's all right too."
Path says, "We thought it might make you feel better that it might not be forever. If it doesn't matter that's all right too."
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"I'm not sure it is," whispers Adarin.
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
Isabella tucks her face in against Adarin's neck. Neither she nor her daemon say anything.
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
Adarin and Vern join in on silence. He continues to hold her.
(While he thinks.)
(While he thinks.)
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"I love you," Isabella eventually sighs, starting to relax.
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"I love you, too," he murmurs.
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
More silence.
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
That seems to be the theme, certainly.
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
Eventually Isabella slides into Adarin's lap and finds a way to sit that doesn't require her to hold herself up much - and falls asleep.
"Cranberry," she mumbles.
"Cranberry," she mumbles.
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
So he holds her. The mumbled words are soothing, it's - comforting, like he's home. (He is home, but it didn't feel like it until she started mumbling.)
He could pick her up, carry her to a better spot to sleep - but he's not up for it, right now. He decides, out of duty, to at least find out how many people he killed. Adarin does a few scryings, and - the total is six. Strange, it felt like more than that. Either way, it's not a small number, in terms of mages. He left survivors, though. They'll remember him.
The mages going to be afraid of him, now. Good. They should be. If being terrifying is what it takes to make them stop, then he will do it. Gladly. He can be the boogeyman beneath their beds, or the villain in their horror stories, for all he cares. Maybe that's what all of the people before felt, why there are so many horror stories. Maybe they got sick of it and decided that being scary was the only way anyone would leave him alone.
But he doubts it.
He doesn't actually manage to muster up the energy to move Isabella. He falls asleep, snuggled with her and holding her.
He could pick her up, carry her to a better spot to sleep - but he's not up for it, right now. He decides, out of duty, to at least find out how many people he killed. Adarin does a few scryings, and - the total is six. Strange, it felt like more than that. Either way, it's not a small number, in terms of mages. He left survivors, though. They'll remember him.
The mages going to be afraid of him, now. Good. They should be. If being terrifying is what it takes to make them stop, then he will do it. Gladly. He can be the boogeyman beneath their beds, or the villain in their horror stories, for all he cares. Maybe that's what all of the people before felt, why there are so many horror stories. Maybe they got sick of it and decided that being scary was the only way anyone would leave him alone.
But he doubts it.
He doesn't actually manage to muster up the energy to move Isabella. He falls asleep, snuggled with her and holding her.
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
Isabella wakes up blearily at about seven the next morning when the sun comes streaming in through the kitchen windows right into their faces.
She doesn't move, but she does fall silent.
She doesn't move, but she does fall silent.
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
Adarin's asleep. If it wasn't for the dried blood and the strange sleeping location, he'd look perfectly normal. At peace.
Vern is snuggled nearby, just as peaceful.
Vern is snuggled nearby, just as peaceful.
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
Isabella is kind of stiff from sleeping sitting up on a floor - albeit with a lap between her and the floor - all night. She starts stretching, carefully, one limb at a time, not interested in getting up nor waking her boyfriend.
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
He's kind of out of it. It's probably quite helpful that he sleeps like the dead.
No pun towards earlier murders.
(For practical reasons, he also needed this sleep. It helps with replenishing his completely drained stores of mana.)
No pun towards earlier murders.
(For practical reasons, he also needed this sleep. It helps with replenishing his completely drained stores of mana.)
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
Isabella will, having stretched out and uncurled from around Path long enough to let him unfurl and refold too, stay put until Adarin wakes.
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
And so he does.
He makes a sound, shifts a bit, and mumbles, "Ow."
Sleeping on the floor as the lap/bed was probably not the best idea he's ever had.
He makes a sound, shifts a bit, and mumbles, "Ow."
Sleeping on the floor as the lap/bed was probably not the best idea he's ever had.
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
She scoots off of him to the side that doesn't have Vern on it. "Sorry."
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"Mm, no," he says, slurring a little and rubbing his eyes. "My choice."
He is really, really stiff, though.
He is really, really stiff, though.
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
Nuzzle.
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
Nuzzle.
"Was nice, 'nyway," he mumbles. "Soothing."
"Was nice, 'nyway," he mumbles. "Soothing."
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"Good."
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
He smiles at her, a bit. She gets a somewhat clumsy kiss, then he's going to try to get up to start a proper wake-up routine. He'd like to get more sleep, but he's... Stiff, sore, covered in blood. Sleep is probably beyond him, right now.
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
Yeah, the blood is kind of an issue. Path's covered in it too. Isabella gets up and goes to give her daemon a bath - in the sink, so Adarin can have the shower. There's a little on her too, but not as much. Smears, almost kiss-marks of it where she touched it on Adarin or Path where it was sufficiently wet. Mostly not on her silks. She wipes it off while she's got the sink going.
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
Shower first, even before tea. He looks over his clothes, deems them a lost cause, and into the bin they go. He might be able to save some of them, but he doesn't feel the desire to. One absurdly long shower later, he gets to cleaning up Vern - blood is incredibly obvious on white feathers and she has a lot of it on her from cuddles after Adarin returned. When they're both cleaned up, he heads off to retrieve tea.
Vern is staying somewhat close to Adarin, but they don't stay in constant contact. The kagu-snuggles seem to have had no adverse effect on them, so that's at least something to celebrate.
Vern is staying somewhat close to Adarin, but they don't stay in constant contact. The kagu-snuggles seem to have had no adverse effect on them, so that's at least something to celebrate.
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
Isabella has discarded her silks; she could replace them with another set but hasn't bothered.
Path hasn't left immediate physical contact with her the entire time.
When Adarin comes downstairs Isabella has already made him tea. She has a mug of it herself, cupped in both hands.
Path hasn't left immediate physical contact with her the entire time.
When Adarin comes downstairs Isabella has already made him tea. She has a mug of it herself, cupped in both hands.
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
He smiles at her, a little, takes the mug, and sits next to her. By now, he's used to her nudity, so he doesn't react to it.
Besides, he's worried about her. He doesn't know what to do, how to help.
"Hey," he says, for lack of a better idea.
Besides, he's worried about her. He doesn't know what to do, how to help.
"Hey," he says, for lack of a better idea.
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"Hi." Head-on-shoulder.
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
Careful of Path, he wraps an arm around her shoulder. He doesn't think he should bring up anything involving yesterday, or the incident. It could hurt her, bringing up things she may not want to think about. So he doesn't.
He'll let it stay as silence and just hope that being here and being supportive will help. If he has any better ideas, he'll go with those. If she obviously needs something, he'll do his best to be sure that she has it.
He'll let it stay as silence and just hope that being here and being supportive will help. If he has any better ideas, he'll go with those. If she obviously needs something, he'll do his best to be sure that she has it.
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
Path - hops onto his leg. Since Adarin is wearing clothes, this doesn't do anything instantaneously, but there he is in Adarin's lap, eyes closed, one wing extended to maintain contact with his witch. Isabella turns her face towards the side of Adarin's neck and makes a small sighing noise.
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
Adarin stares. He puts two and two together on what Path is doing.
"... Um," he says. "Path - Isabella, are... You shouldn't - feel like you need to because you touched Vern, or - or something?"
It does not click in his mind that Path might just want to be pet.
"... Um," he says. "Path - Isabella, are... You shouldn't - feel like you need to because you touched Vern, or - or something?"
It does not click in his mind that Path might just want to be pet.
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"It's not that," says Isabella quietly.
"I want them off of me," says Path.
"I want them off of me," says Path.
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"Oh," murmurs Adarin. "Then - then if it - hurts in any way, or - if you want me to stop, or - or something, tell me, I don't want to hurt you. Either of you, I love you. Okay?"
But he holds a hand out to Path. He's not quite brave enough to just - pet him, but it's obvious that Path is now cleared for coming to him.
But he holds a hand out to Path. He's not quite brave enough to just - pet him, but it's obvious that Path is now cleared for coming to him.
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"I don't think it will," says Path.
And he stretches his other wing, clean and versed dry and soft as starlight, and lays it against Adarin's hand.
Isabella twitches, fractionally - then relaxes.
And he stretches his other wing, clean and versed dry and soft as starlight, and lays it against Adarin's hand.
Isabella twitches, fractionally - then relaxes.
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
He glances between the two, worried and concerned. To Isabella, he murmurs, "Are you all right?"
His hand stays where it is. If Path wants to keep touching him he is entirely free to, but he's too worried about them both to think about pets.
His hand stays where it is. If Path wants to keep touching him he is entirely free to, but he's too worried about them both to think about pets.
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"Yes," says Isabella clearly.
Path nestles himself under the provided hand.
Path nestles himself under the provided hand.
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
Adarin - doesn't know how to feel about this. But Isabella and Path seem to be enjoying themselves. That's the important part.
So he pets Path, ever so gently, like he's precious. (Because he is.)
Vern looks between all parties involved, and decides that she wants to cuddle Path, too. She drapes a wing over the owl, careful of both not touching Isabella and not getting in the way of Path touching Isabella. She murmurs, "We love you."
So he pets Path, ever so gently, like he's precious. (Because he is.)
Vern looks between all parties involved, and decides that she wants to cuddle Path, too. She drapes a wing over the owl, careful of both not touching Isabella and not getting in the way of Path touching Isabella. She murmurs, "We love you."
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"We love you too," sighs Isabella. Path squirms in what seems to be a contented manner.
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
Pet, pet, pet.
Adarin and Vern are content to stay here, for a while. As long as Path and Isabella want.
Neither of them bring up Vern touching Isabella. They're not ready. Not yet, and they don't think they will be for a while. But they can give them this.
Adarin and Vern are content to stay here, for a while. As long as Path and Isabella want.
Neither of them bring up Vern touching Isabella. They're not ready. Not yet, and they don't think they will be for a while. But they can give them this.
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
Isabella's not going to ask.
Path stays put for - a while.
Isabella drinks her tea.
Then he hops back onto his witch.
"Thank you," Path murmurs.
Path stays put for - a while.
Isabella drinks her tea.
Then he hops back onto his witch.
"Thank you," Path murmurs.
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"You're welcome," says Adarin. "Anything you need."
He's smiling, faintly, though. He enjoyed it, too, once he was sure that everyone involved was okay. It was like giving a soul-cuddle. Or soul-kisses, he doesn't know. It's hard to describe and he will not stop being nervous about it, but he did enjoy it.
After petting Vern, he reheats his neglected tea (with magic, because he feels like indulging a little and he would have to stop snuggling Isabella to heat it normally) and sips it.
He's smiling, faintly, though. He enjoyed it, too, once he was sure that everyone involved was okay. It was like giving a soul-cuddle. Or soul-kisses, he doesn't know. It's hard to describe and he will not stop being nervous about it, but he did enjoy it.
After petting Vern, he reheats his neglected tea (with magic, because he feels like indulging a little and he would have to stop snuggling Isabella to heat it normally) and sips it.
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
Snuggles.
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
Snuggles. Tea drinking.
Vern will have to ask what topics are okay to talk about. Adarin wants to reassure Isabella that this won't happen again - that they won't try again, because now they are almost guaranteed to be terrified of him. He doesn't, though, for fear that it'll just bring up the painful topic and hurt her.
Vern will have to ask what topics are okay to talk about. Adarin wants to reassure Isabella that this won't happen again - that they won't try again, because now they are almost guaranteed to be terrified of him. He doesn't, though, for fear that it'll just bring up the painful topic and hurt her.
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"What are you thinking?" Isabella wonders after silent minute.
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"... I'm trying to figure out what topics are okay to talk about. I don't want to bring up things that are associated with bad memories, or things that would hurt you - or something."
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"I assure you I will probably think about the bad memories sometimes even without being prompted," she says wryly. "You can talk about anything - if I twitch it's just as likely me finding some cleanup work in my brain I would've had to do anyway."
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
He kisses her forehead. "All right. I - don't think they will bother us, anymore. At least not anything quite so overt."
Adarin shifts a bit, then adds, "They are probably quite terrified of me, now."
It doesn't bother him.
Adarin shifts a bit, then adds, "They are probably quite terrified of me, now."
It doesn't bother him.
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"I'm - not as sure. That one couple was concerned about - behavioral changes you've been exhibiting. Slaying half a dozen people in Path's defense is a behavior change. It might not make sense from their side, they might try harder to come up with some kind of plan to - address things."
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"It helps that my mother killed a whole lot more than six for the man she loved," says Adarin. "This is probably now considered a family condition. Her, Zeviana's rampage, and now me. It's entirely possible that they will write off the entire third bloodline as crazy, now. But you're right, I should probably go deal with them. Tell them that if they try this again it will have the exact same result."
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"...If something happens to you while you're trying to terrify people, I cannot go kill people for you. So, warn Zeviana if you're going to do that."
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"Of course," he agrees. "I don't want to die, living is great."
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"Speaking of which, you're quite unscathed? They didn't zap you with anything while you were there?"
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"No. I um - was faster than them, and I caught them off guard."
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"I wonder why they were off guard. I wouldn't be if I'd just kidnapped the daemon of the girlfriend of a fellow who could interplanar-teleport."
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"I don't think they thought I would react that fast. Or they thought I would - try to negotiate, try and beg for them to return Path and accept their terms or something. Plus when I was a kid they didn't teach us any offensive magic. I think they thought that meant I was powerless, or something. That I just make cool gadgets and make shields to protect people and I'm fluffy and declawed."
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
Isabella fluffs her fingers through his hair. "You are fluffy, though."
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
He laughs. "I suppose I am! Obviously this is my fault for not attacking my hair with scissors, I am fluffy so people will assume that I can be bullied."
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"If you want to cut your hair I'm not going to be on your case about it. I think it works as-is though."
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"I don't actually want to cut my hair," he says, amused. "I like it like this. It's fluffy and you keep petting it. It's still strangely soothing."
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
Pet pet pet. "I still don't see what's so strange about it."
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
Again, he laughs. "I never thought I would like it, so it's strange to."
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
Pet, pet, pet.
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
Adarin smiles. He leans over and snuggles Isabella, making a contented sound. He'll just be here, enjoying her playing with his hair.
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
Path sneaks a preen. Just momentary, there and gone.
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
He notices, of course. It doesn't bother him, Path can be casual about it. He just won't be, it'll be up to Path to solicit boyfriend pets. Adarin mumbles, "I'm glad me petting Path didn't hurt you."
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"We knew it wouldn't," says Isabella. "It was - nice."
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"Good. I would hate to have hurt you."
Snuggle, snuggle.
Snuggle, snuggle.
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"We know," says Path.
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
Vern scoots over and preens Path, affectionately.
"How'd you know it wouldn't hurt you?" she asks.
"How'd you know it wouldn't hurt you?" she asks.
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"...Taking apart why it hurt when it was them," says Path, preening back. "I think. There were reasons, once it was - there to look at instead of guessing, and - the reasons aren't there with him - so it wouldn't - and it didn't - and I needed it to not be just them on that - list."
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
Vernaia nods. "We're so sorry it happened. We - we know why it hurt, with Enathira, and you don't hurt us, because we love you. But we don't think we can do it casually, or for - fun. Not yet, maybe eventually. We're sorry."
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"It's okay. Don't be sorry," says Path. Preen, preen. "We're not the same person. It doesn't have to be the same."
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"Thank you," she replies. Wingsnuggles. "We love you so. We didn't want to disappoint you."
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"Not disappointed, never disappointed," murmurs Path.
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"Not even with how we handled - things?"
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"No. Yambe Akka can have them."
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
Nuzzle. "We agree. My Adarin feels guilty because he thinks he could have been faster."
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"It still wasn't as long as you waited for us to come for you."
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"You didn't know about us. When you learned, you went as fast as you could go. We don't blame you, we never did," says Vern.
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"And all you needed was a broken window and a strung bow," says Path. "You didn't leave my Isabella alone. We wouldn't have blamed you but you didn't."
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"We couldn't have. Not after knowing what it's like and loving you. We would sooner throw ourselves off a cliff than leave someone we love to that."
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"We know."
Snuggle.
Snuggle.
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
Snuggle. "Good. It would annoy us if you forgot."
She is maybe teasing a little.
She is maybe teasing a little.
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"It would be very rude of us when you have gone to such lengths to demonstrate," agrees Path.
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
Vern snickers. "That wasn't the point of why we did any of it, but... Yes. That. I'll go with that."
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
Snuggle. Chuckle.
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
Snuggle!
Adarin looks between the two birds. "Do I even want to know what you're talking about?"
"It's rude to interrupt daemons' discussions," she says sagely.
"You just look like you're cuddling," drawls Adarin.
"That, too."
Adarin looks between the two birds. "Do I even want to know what you're talking about?"
"It's rude to interrupt daemons' discussions," she says sagely.
"You just look like you're cuddling," drawls Adarin.
"That, too."
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"We are talking about you, obviously. What else would we talk about?" says Path. "Daemons do not have to pass the daemon version of the Bechdel Test."
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"I have no idea what that is," says Adarin. "But sure, go ahead with talking about me. Only good things, though."
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"The very best things," says Path.
"You still haven't read Wikipedia on feminism," snorts Isabella. "Look it up on your phone."
"You still haven't read Wikipedia on feminism," snorts Isabella. "Look it up on your phone."
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"I've been busy! I skimmed it!" he defends. "That counts, right?"
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"The Bechdel test is intended to be applied to movies," says Isabella, relenting. "It asks, are there at least two female characters who have names and who talk to each other about something other than a man? And the fraction of movies that pass or fail this test is intended to be a barometer of sexism."
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"... So... Most movies pass, right? That's kind of - easy?"
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"Lots of movies fail. You saw Star Trek; do you think it passed?"
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"It might have if Spock was the one in charge and if Kirk kept his trap shut," drawls Adarin.
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"What would that have done? Spock isn't a female character."
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"Absolutely nothing, but I would be more inclined to defend it."
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
Isabella snorts.
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
He snickers. "But seriously, that's kind of weird. Are there just - not that many women in movies? Do they just go around without names?"
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"Yes and yes. I mean, plenty of background characters of both sexes aren't named in any given film. There's some ambiguity about what counts as being named, too, if there's a name in the script or the production notes but no characters ever say it in the final cut."
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"... Yeah, that's weird. Why is that a thing?"
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"It is really adorable how you're so confused about the fact that feminism has anything to accomplish, my dear."
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"Thank you? I'm still so confused. Do they - I don't know, reach a quota of women and say, 'No, we can't have anymore, out' and then any other applicants get booted?"
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"I think the script gets written first, so not so much an 'applicants' thing."
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"... So... They write a script and they just conspicuously don't have women in it? Why?"
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"Because they think men are the default kind of person, so they only vary away from that default when they have a reason. It's a problem with a bunch of characteristics besides sex, too."
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"That's also weird. Isabella, I'm sorry to inform you, but your culture is kind of weird sometimes. Mine's kind of horrific, but yours is weird."
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"Hey, this is only barely my culture, I am a witch."
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"Fair enough. Our fantastic extraplanetary colony with extraplanar residents hopefully won't have weird culture problems."
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"It will undoubtedly have weird culture problems. Hopefully it will have fewer."
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"Fair. We would assumingly get some power if we declare ourselves - did we decide what we would call ourselves as rulers?"
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"I don't think so. Preferences? I think I'd better avoid declaring myself a queen, it'd make things awkward clanwise."
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"No preferences. I don't actually care if we never formally declare ourselves in charge, as long as we get the end results of, 'People are safe and happy and not being horrifically oppressed.' If this works out I'm going to be happy even if we declare ourselves the gumdrop fairies."
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"I'd kinda like to be formally in charge, just nobody calling me 'queen'. 'Empress' would be safe. 'Gumdrop fairy' would be safe but not really to my taste."
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"Empress works. Would I be emperor?"
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"I dunno, would you? Do you want to be?"
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"Sure? If you want to be solo empress I don't mind, but I'd want to check your work and make sure things are working efficiently."
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"That sounds more like, I don't know, chief operations officer, from the job description you just gave yourself, but you can call it emperor if you want."
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"Well apparently I am expected to have a crown," he teases. "So if that's going to happen I should have a title to match."
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"Then it sounds like you're gonna be emperor."
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"Apparently so! Eventually, anyway, it'll take a while to get to that point."
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"Yeah. Have to work my way up from Senior Equipment Maintenance Specialist."
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"And I have to work my way up from - what am I? Senior Magic Doodads Expert and Chauffeur?"
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"I do the chauffeuring. You do transportation infrastructure."
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
He giggles. "Okay. Senior Magic Doodads Expert and Transportation Infrastructure Specialist?"
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"Yes." Kiss.
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
Kiss! "We will have to tell the robots."
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"And then they will treat you with the respect afforded your position."
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"If they start bowing that will be really awkward."
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"They're kind of too round to bow."
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"I'm extremely happy about this. It avoids awkwardness."
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"Would being bowed to be that bad?"
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"No, but it would be - strange. I'm not used to people bowing to me."
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"I could start. Get you used to it, just in case."
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"No thank you. I just got used to you running around the house naked, throw any more loops at me right now and I will break," he teases.
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"Oh no. I prefer you to be unbroken," she murmurs.
Snuggle.
Snuggle.
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"Thank you, love."
Snuggle.
Snuggle.
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"I love you so much," she sighs happily.
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"I love you, too. More than I can say," he replies. Forehead kiss!
It takes a week (one of his weeks, five days) to replenish his mana entirely. He informs Zeviana of the situation, and she is appropriately enraged. Both she and Isabella get mirrors. Vern snuggles up with Path, and then Adarin goes to tell the mages to fuck off.
He teleports to his former home. Unsurprisingly, the window is still broken. He doesn't care to get it fixed, the house still gives him bad feelings but he will tolerate it for a short amount of time. He sends a few couriers to invite various people over, for a very special party. Only about half of them show up. The other half are too terrified that he's planning something, that he's murderous, that he's on a rampage of revenge. Not true. It was never about revenge.
"I am not," he says, "Under any kind of spell, drug, mind control, manipulation, or anything of the like."
Several of them try to argue this point. He ignores them. "I was perfectly happy to play your game, perfectly happy to stay here and try to fix things because it is my 'civic duty.' I take that kind of thing seriously. But right after I come back? One of you idiots decided to try and manipulate me through something you didn't comprehend. She ended up hurting me so badly that being in my own home makes me want to throw up. I couldn't stand to be here anymore, so I left, because I was hurting.
"Let me make this extremely clear. None of this is Isabella's doing. I don't care if the timing's suspicious to you, she had nothing to do with this. Hell, she was going to help us, but you drove her away and now this plane's basically blacklisted. Because," he gives Lenora a cold glare. "some of us decided that playing with things we don't understand is fun. And guess what? You have officially gone too far. The line's been crossed, and I am done playing nice.
"I killed six people," he says, flatly. "You all are entirely aware, I know. If you don't, well, welcome out from under your rock.
"I killed them because you twits decided to torture my girlfriend on the off-chance that she is manipulating me. You decided that rather than losing a pawn in whatever insane game you are playing, you would do something worse than rape to an innocent woman. Meddling in a thing you don't understand for reasons you can barely justify. Sure, go ahead - argue for the fate of the future. Say that you need my children to save the world. But you're ruining lives now. I say this as a person who has had his life ruined by you people a few times, and you know what?
"I'm done. It's over, you have officially burned down every bridge with me. I'm not playing your games. Do not come after me. Do not follow me to my house. Do not come after my sister. Do not go after Isabella. Try it, and I will defend myself, and the people I love. You've seen me do it once.
"Don't make me do it again," he growls. "It'll be worse next time."
He doesn't wait for their answer. He teleports home, to Isabella's arms.
The general consensus among the mages is that he's gone off the deep end. The other major group believes he's under mind control. Some believe that he was driven away by their enemies, blaming each other and giving reason for their in-fighting. Either way - up against the two members of the third bloodline and unknown magic in the form of witchery, none are quite brave enough to try again. Not now, not so soon, not after such a spectacular failure.
Unexpected is the secondary result of his speech. A few agree with him.
It takes a week (one of his weeks, five days) to replenish his mana entirely. He informs Zeviana of the situation, and she is appropriately enraged. Both she and Isabella get mirrors. Vern snuggles up with Path, and then Adarin goes to tell the mages to fuck off.
He teleports to his former home. Unsurprisingly, the window is still broken. He doesn't care to get it fixed, the house still gives him bad feelings but he will tolerate it for a short amount of time. He sends a few couriers to invite various people over, for a very special party. Only about half of them show up. The other half are too terrified that he's planning something, that he's murderous, that he's on a rampage of revenge. Not true. It was never about revenge.
"I am not," he says, "Under any kind of spell, drug, mind control, manipulation, or anything of the like."
Several of them try to argue this point. He ignores them. "I was perfectly happy to play your game, perfectly happy to stay here and try to fix things because it is my 'civic duty.' I take that kind of thing seriously. But right after I come back? One of you idiots decided to try and manipulate me through something you didn't comprehend. She ended up hurting me so badly that being in my own home makes me want to throw up. I couldn't stand to be here anymore, so I left, because I was hurting.
"Let me make this extremely clear. None of this is Isabella's doing. I don't care if the timing's suspicious to you, she had nothing to do with this. Hell, she was going to help us, but you drove her away and now this plane's basically blacklisted. Because," he gives Lenora a cold glare. "some of us decided that playing with things we don't understand is fun. And guess what? You have officially gone too far. The line's been crossed, and I am done playing nice.
"I killed six people," he says, flatly. "You all are entirely aware, I know. If you don't, well, welcome out from under your rock.
"I killed them because you twits decided to torture my girlfriend on the off-chance that she is manipulating me. You decided that rather than losing a pawn in whatever insane game you are playing, you would do something worse than rape to an innocent woman. Meddling in a thing you don't understand for reasons you can barely justify. Sure, go ahead - argue for the fate of the future. Say that you need my children to save the world. But you're ruining lives now. I say this as a person who has had his life ruined by you people a few times, and you know what?
"I'm done. It's over, you have officially burned down every bridge with me. I'm not playing your games. Do not come after me. Do not follow me to my house. Do not come after my sister. Do not go after Isabella. Try it, and I will defend myself, and the people I love. You've seen me do it once.
"Don't make me do it again," he growls. "It'll be worse next time."
He doesn't wait for their answer. He teleports home, to Isabella's arms.
The general consensus among the mages is that he's gone off the deep end. The other major group believes he's under mind control. Some believe that he was driven away by their enemies, blaming each other and giving reason for their in-fighting. Either way - up against the two members of the third bloodline and unknown magic in the form of witchery, none are quite brave enough to try again. Not now, not so soon, not after such a spectacular failure.
Unexpected is the secondary result of his speech. A few agree with him.
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
Isabella holds him tight and pets his hair when he comes home to her. "You okay?"
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"Yeah," he says, cuddling. "Just - I want them to go away."
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"I hope they will," she sighs. Pet, pet.
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"Me, too. I love you. I'm sorry you got - dragged into this on my account."
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"I love you too. I'm all right."
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
Snuggle. "It's still not okay."
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"I know, but - lots of things aren't okay, and we have each other and we'll fix them together."
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
He nods. "Yeah. We have so much to do, don't we? I'm glad I've got you."
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"Likewise."
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
Cuddle, cuddle.
"How are you doing, dear?" he asks, after a while. "I - don't know if there's any way I can help with after effects of what they did, but if there's anything I can do..."
"How are you doing, dear?" he asks, after a while. "I - don't know if there's any way I can help with after effects of what they did, but if there's anything I can do..."
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"I have it under control. Being around you helps - but not literally all the time, I still need some privacy to talk to my Path alone sometimes - getting things accomplished helps, time helps."
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
Adarin nods. "Okay. I believe you. I should - probably get started on projects again, I think that would help me, certainly. I'll start with the armor one."
For obvious reasons. (He loves her, so.)
For obvious reasons. (He loves her, so.)
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"And when you have the mana and time, my procurer - heh, I have 'a procurer', it sounds so weird - got me a place to put a portal in Columbus, so we can open that up whenever it's doable."
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
He snickers. "Yeah. We can continue taking over the world."
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"Yes. We're coming up on 'offensively rich' within a year or two. I'll pay off the loan, then it's a continued period of reinvestment in the infrastructure, maybe one big push with the capital to get international stuff handled - and then we can mostly sit back and funnel money in worthy directions."
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"I'm looking forward to that 'funnel money in worthy directions' stage. I like fixing things, if you haven't noticed by now."
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"I have noticed that! I like that about you."
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"Oh, good. Because it was rather obvious and if you didn't like it we would be in trouble since it's a major personality trait."
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"Yeah, I don't think anything good could come of asking you to choose between me and the fixing of things."
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"Not really, no. It would be kind of terrible for everyone involved, actually."
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"Also this would have to be an extremely different bizarro-me who did not approve of fixing things."
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
"That too. And if I met this strange bizarro-you instead of you I might not even fall in love with her, because she didn't approve of fixing things and didn't win me over instantly with, 'Let's make everyone immortal.'"
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"Yes, so overall it's quite good that I am myself and not her."
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
He snickers. "Yeah, keep being yourself. I happen to love you."
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
"I have no plans to deprive you of me."
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
Well that's just going to earn her a kiss.
Isabella Amariah ⍋ "Amariah"
dark_light
Mmmmmmmmkiss.
Adarin Evaniel Sorelas
prodigal_miser
Hurray! Kisses!
Also, snuggles. Snuggly kisses are a thing that can happen.
Also, snuggles. Snuggly kisses are a thing that can happen.