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Post by opius on Aug 4, 2022 14:03:49 GMT -5
Kate furrowed her brows and nodded, lips pursed for but a moment. She again looked to Alina. " ...Then answers from her will have to wait." Hands folding into her lap, Kate nodded her head and watched the younger woman. "...The Matron, her messenger- whomever intervened, has given you a chance where other Celestials would not. To have the Grace of a celestial, but the will of a human... it explains why the Choir acted so strictly, and why Zajira was willing to do something so drastic. I do not... agree with these quick decisions- least of all the one tobehead my daughter! But as a Talon, I understand why." She let out a short huff, squaring her shoulders.
"Alina, There may be some out there who try and steer your decisions- to exploit what you have inherited regardless of where it came from. Your instincts are strong, but I fear what may happen should someone take advantage of your kind and charitable heart. If... there are others who are watching, waiting to test you, please... be careful who you trust."
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Post by redcoat on Aug 4, 2022 15:02:33 GMT -5
Alina nodded. "I am not the best judge of character." she admitted, tilting her head back with a sigh. "I am good at killing demons and kissing pretty girls- not examining every angle for weakness or every person for darkness- much to Bones and Nori's disappointment, I'm sure."
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Post by opius on Aug 4, 2022 15:41:54 GMT -5
"I'm afraid you got that from me. The blind spots, too." Kate's frown deepened before she shrugged and finally laughed. "We'll be here to help you figure it out. Eyes open, milaya."
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Post by redcoat on Aug 4, 2022 19:59:29 GMT -5
"I am lucky to have family on both sides of the veil watching out for me. Nori, Vanya, Bones- they are protective of me, and smarter than me. They'll catch things, even if I don't." She smiled and took her mother's hand, giving it a squeeze.
"In any way, I plan on just... continuing with the plan. Soon we'll kill the King of Feathers, I'll continue to protect the caravan, and then keep heading south to find Mama."
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Post by opius on Aug 5, 2022 11:57:48 GMT -5
"I have longed to know how she has been holding up. I never thought things would have... Gone the way they did. But such is life and duty." Kate brought her wrist to her left eye and gently brushed.
"When you find her, tell her I have missed her. And also to be less reckless- she was supposed to be the smarter one." She lifted her shoulders, squaring them to face Alina.
"You will find her. Come hell or high water. I believe this."
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Post by redcoat on Aug 5, 2022 13:11:32 GMT -5
Alina smiled, giving Kate's hand another squeeze. "I will. I am not a hunter, but I have... amazing friends, all of whom would be happy to help me."
She sighed. "I wish I knew more about where she's captured, but... I've got a lead, and she's got some allies. So hopefully she keeps her head down and I can get there quickly."
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Post by opius on Aug 5, 2022 16:37:29 GMT -5
Kate laughed and squeezed her hands back. "Then you truly are the best of us" Nodding as Alina spoke, her face went from bittersweet laughter to serious.
"She is smart. And she knows how to lay low." She pursed her lips and furrowed her brow. "The place where she is hidden away... It is unlike anywhere I have seen in Te'Kaal I'm afraid. There are no kings or lords left on the isle- not since Omu fell so many years ago. The building style and the classroom reminds me of the mainland- maybe not our old home, but definitely not here. The mist, though..." She rubbed her chin.
"Dark and angry things lurk in the mists. Things that trick and take. Mothers warn their daughters to stay away from the rolling fog, for fear of monsters disguised with friendly faces. Or worse... Disguised as those in need. Ask Vanya of Dormanus and the Reaping Mists, and Rorr of the Fields of Mourning."
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Post by redcoat on Aug 6, 2022 7:59:27 GMT -5
"The mist isn't good." Alina agreed. "We've got a full blown demon infestation on the island, judging by the book the bulgara left. It's bad times when you're hoping it's a vampire. That is a problem with a straight forward solution."
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Post by opius on Aug 6, 2022 13:38:39 GMT -5
Kate furrowed her brows. "Fiends... There has always been a presence on Te'Kaal. Small but stubborn." She shook her head and looked to Alina. "During my campaign, I would come across them on occasion, maybe once every two or three years. Always ambitious..." She looked down, still frowning.
"...I underestimated the ambition of one. Once. Lession learned..." She shook her head. "Keep your wits out there. There may be many you can handle yourself, but never go alone." With a lift of her shoulders she let out a sigh. "I wish I could tell you why they come, or why there are more now. I was never a lorekeeper."
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Post by redcoat on Aug 6, 2022 17:54:34 GMT -5
Alina nodded. "We've had two in the last few months- one at the temple of the Raven Queen, and then the bulgara- he had a whole journal full of invasion plans. There was the aberration as well- I'm hoping it's all unrelated, but..."
She sighed.
"It's not the best time to not be able to smite."
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Post by opius on Aug 6, 2022 21:00:01 GMT -5
"There is a saying your mother would sometimes say: One is a fluke. Two is a coincidence. Three is a conspiracy. She may have been paranoid- rightfully so- but I believe in the power of threes." She brought a knuckle under her lip and looked down to think.
"Never in my life did I think we would encounter echoes of the Calamity. Especially not right under Nyanzaru. It was ancient history, expelled from the world." She shook her head. "... The implications are unreal." Kate looked over her shoulder at the many 'patrons' still present.
"...Smite or no smite, you are still ours. We will continue guiding and lending our power. You come from strong stock, my child. These... Troubles are but challenges for you to overcome. I believe this."
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Post by redcoat on Aug 7, 2022 8:58:39 GMT -5
Alina smiled, looking over her family- family she knew, even if she didn't know them. Family that would be at her back no matter what.
"As long as I can hold a sword, and I have my family, I'll be able to do what's needed." She said firmly- truly believing it.
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Post by opius on Aug 7, 2022 9:04:01 GMT -5
Kate smiled, the corners of her eyes creasing. "I believe this."
The sound of distant revelry broke through the general noise of the gathering hall. Kate's brows arches, and Alina could feel warmth on her face. The black and empty sky of a ceiling slowly began too glow with a deep golden red hue while muffled and muddied sounds of conversation lingered in Alina's ears.
"I think... We are out of time, daughter. When you need us most, you'll find us here." She stood and reached her arms out.
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Post by redcoat on Aug 7, 2022 9:12:56 GMT -5
Sunrise- Alina had never felt strongly about the sunrise, but today it wasn't a welcome interruption to the family reunion and it's revelry.
As Kate stood, Alina would as well, wrapping her in a tight hug.
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Post by opius on Aug 7, 2022 9:22:17 GMT -5
The embrace was warm and tight- fiercely tight as Kate all but scooped Alina into her arms. The warmth of the sun grew as the gathering hall became hazy and indistinct.
True to Alina's assumption, she found herself opening her eyes to an unyieldingly bright sun beating down on her... A sun so bright and clear that it was obvious that they had cleared the tree line and entered a clearing of some kind. The boat lurched as it broke land.
Muffled and noisy voices grew more distinct and familiar. There was at least one fellow Wencher shouting to greet the party.
Out from the Veil and back into the Grind, it would seem.
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