October 29, 2016 Issue
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
A Note from the Editor
UPDATES FROM THE STAFF:
Calendar of Events
An Important Reminder
Friendly Reminder
PLAYER NEWS:
XP Achievements
Player Submissions:
Who Are You?
The Annex
A Gentleman Always Adapts
Untitled
A Simple Wedding
Attending from Afar
A Request
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
Hello, everyone!
I'm sorry it's been so long. Life, right? We've been pretty active the past
few months, though, between both players online and events. I think one week
I saw SL2 being run three or four times. It's been great to watch! And you
know what would be even better? Having more of you join us.
The "winter" (I know it's not going to be winter for our friends in the
southern hemisphere, but here me out) holidays are getting closer, and we're
hoping to have even more events coming up for our players during that
timeframe. An XP Boost weekend will run from Friday, October 28th through
Monday, October 31st, for spooky Halloween xp gain, and we'd like to see you
there.
There will be another boost around Thanksgiving (USA) weekend, and I happen to
have an elf hunt planned out for Foodvember and Giftcember (November and
December. Not all months happen to be as easy to change as October to
Spooktober). The dates for all events will be finalized a bit further into the
month, mainly because I work retail and winter holidays are the busiest time
of year for me!
If you'd like to keep up with us outside of Legend proper, we are fairly
active in our Facebook group (All Hail LegendMUD) and our Twitter is updated
as events are finalized (@legendmud).
-Lamia
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
___ ___
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/__| Updates from the Staff |__\
'-------------------------------------------------------------------'
***** An Important Reminder *****
We just want to remind everyone that clan timers currently have the ability to
be set to 1 Year (or 365 days -- lookin' at you, Leap Year). Members must log
in at least once during that timeframe (or whatever their GM has it set to) in
order to remain in their clan. It's a long span of time, given in the hopes of
not only keeping the clans alive, but ensuring that our players know they don't
have to worry if life happens <tm>. Their place within their clan(s) is safe,
and the character will still be within the clan, GM-willing, when able to return.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
A Friendly Reminder
We've recently received a number of requests for hints or tips concerning
various gear and quest aspects in-game. This is just a reminder that:
- Immortals are not allowed by code of conduct to reveal in-game information.
- Some EQ is impossible to get and will not be mundaned. This type of gear is
designed to be for NPCs only.
- Immortals cannot verify what equipment is unobtainable - that's for you to
discover!
- Some quests are meant to be more difficult than others. If you think it's a
bug, send a message over the bug channel or a mudmail to Lamia or Mertjai.
If it's a bug issue, we'll be more than glad to help. If it isn't, we won't
give you a hint towards the next objective.
- If it seems too good to be true, it's possible it is. Best practice is to
send in a comment using the bug command.
- Sometimes things don't go according to plan, whether on the immortal-side or
player-side. If something seems to have gone wrong, it doesn't hurt to send
a mudmail.
-Lamia, Mertjai, & Staff
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
LegendMUD Calendar of Events
Friday, October 28th - Monday, October 31st -- XP Boost Weekend!
Saturday, October 29th - Monday, October 31st -- Hell Gnome Hunt
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
___ ___
\ |--------------------------------------------------------------------| /
/__| Player News |__\
'--------------------------------------------------------------------'
XP ACHIEVEMENTS
Asher has reached 100 million experience!
Jaina has reached 100 million experience!
Legacy has reached 100 million experience!
Vansquisher has reached 100 million experience!
Vanion has reached 800 million experience!
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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__|_____|_____|_____|_____|__PLAYER SUBMISSIONS___|_____|_____|_____|_____|
Who Are You?
Addyson hadn't meant to snoop around the old church. All she'd wanted to do
was find Garen and inform him of the change to her and Eitri's wedding plans.
It was supposed to be a quick visit, one where she was in and out, preferably
before Garen had a chance to react to the news. She wasn't exactly in the mood
for dealing with his sly smirk and "I knew this would happen, even before the
boy proposed to you" look. He never stated it, but Addyson was fairly certain
there was only one thing the man enjoyed more than a good "I told you so".
But snoop she did, and how could she not when the door was unlocked? Garen -
she loved him in a way she did no other, and for that, she knew him better
than her own flesh and blood - wouldn't have allowed such a thing. Even if he
were trying to lure some poor soul to him for a moment's entertainment, the
door would have been locked. A locked door meant secrets, and secrets
encouraged curiosity, and Garen had always favored the curious. An unlocked
door could mean danger, could mean unthinkable trouble for Garen, and Addyson
couldn't stand the thought of him being in distress.
It was easy, entering silently. The door was lighter than it appeared, the
hinges moving smoothly, not a squeak or groan even the slightest possibility.
She locked it behind her, feeling emboldened by her worry. There was nothing
to be found in the cell Garen called a bedroom, nor anything within the
garden. She held her parasol firmly, one hand on the handle, ready to unlatch
the blade within, while the other grasped the lace-covered ribs as she entered
the Nave. It was there that Addyson found someone: a woman perhaps a few years
older than herself. She had dark hair with pale skin, though it certainly
wasn't as light as Addyson's father's tone. Lord Ravenswick's skin was of
the palest alabaster, his eyes of light quicksilver, and his hair was as
bright as freshly fallen snow; no, nobody was as pale or marvelous as
Addyson's father.
As Addyson crept closer to the woman, who sat upon a large, ornate altar at
the end of the aisle, she noticed not just strange, dark markings on the
woman's arms and chest, but the most curious spiral tattoo on one side of her
face, next to bright crimson eyes. Lady Ravenswick continued her approach,
even as those crimson eyes turned their gaze from a simple picture frame to
her. The woman canted her head to the right as Addyson drew nearer.
"Who are you?" Addyson asked, pleased with herself when her voice didn't
waver. She sounded almost disinterested. Certainly cold. She was nearly upon
the woman when she added, "Where is Garen?"
The woman hopped down from the altar, clutching the framed photo to her chest.
"Garen is out," she said quietly, a frown marring her features. "I don't know
why you'd want him, anyway," she continued, her frown shifting to a pout. "I
killed you, and he doesn't deal with dead things anymore."
The tip of a silvery Damascus blade pressed against the woman's throat, dark
red ripples shimmering almost angrily. "You killed me," Addyson said quietly
as she pushed the blade closer, causing the woman to bend backwards over the
altar, Addyson's body following hers. "Who are you who thinks they could kill
me?"
"Nerezza," the woman whined, clutching at the photo frame more tightly, her
knuckles turned white.
Addyson scoffed and reached a hand out to take the print from Nerezza. "You
are the one I was told to avoid?" She snapped the fingers of her free hand,
the other still holding the blade to Nerezza's throat. When Nerezza didn't
release the photo frame, Addyson grabbed and yanked it from the woman's grasp.
She tried to follow after it with a pitiful whine, but Addyson held the blade
steady, and the tip dug into the creamy flesh of Nerezza's neck.
Tension hung between the two, Nerezza sniffling back tears the only sound as
Addyson stared at the photo. It was of Garen and this woman, her curled upon
his lap not unlike a cat while he reclined, the knowing smirk that she was all
too familiar with upon his lips. "Who are you to him?" Addyson said, setting
the frame aside and moving the blade so the edge was pressed firmly against
Nerezza's neck. Nerezza whined again and Addyson's hand flew to the woman's
dark hair, winding a handful through her fingers. "What is so special about
you?" she hissed, jerking Nerezza's head to the side. "Why do you matter so
much?"
A hand was placed over Addyson's, easing the sword away from Nerezza's throat.
"Addyson," Garen said softly, free hand on her waist as he gently pulled her
from Nerezza's prone form. "Go home." He turned, nudging her towards the
discarded parasol.
"No," she said, standing her ground, staring at Garen with angry tears in her
eyes. "This isn't right." Garen ducked down to pick up the parasol, glancing
at Nerezza as he did so. The woman had climbed onto the altar, her legs pulled
up against her chest. She watched them, terrified.
Garen took Addyson's hand and guided the sword home, locking it into the
parasol with a small flick of his wrist. "You needn't worry over this,
Addyson. Go home. I will explain everything to you later." Addyson stared at
Garen, her silvery eyes shifting from rage to sadness.
"I don't understand."
He shook his head and turned her, walking her down the aisle. "You don't have
to, not right now." They were in the entry way and he gave her a small shove
towards the door. "I'll find you later. I'll explain."
"Garen..." Addyson stared at him, tears flowing freely now. "She said she
killed me." He pursed his lips and gave her another shove.
"Later, Addyson. I promise."
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
The Annex
Jericho stood before a simple-looking floor-length mirror. His demeanor was
relaxed, hands in his pockets while a small smile graced his lips as he looked
at an older man, obviously in a much different location, reflected in the
glass. "Where-where did the Annex end up?" the man asked.
"In Antioch," Jericho answered, looking around the library briefly. "It's a
great place for the artifacts, Judson. With it being an arid climate and
all..."
The man looked as though he wished to sigh at Jericho's words, but managed to
refrain. "I-I-I know why it would be good, Jericho," he said,
matter-of-factly. His brow was furrowed slightly as he watched the younger man.
"Of course you do," Jericho said, a sheepish grin tugging at his lips. "I'm
sorry."
Judson gave Jericho a slow once-over. "Have... have you found any-anything?"
His tone held no room for argument or distraction; the Library was serious
business, after all. Judson had kept things running smoothly - ish. Enough.
Smooth enough - for ages, so he needed Jericho to stay on task as best as he
could.
Jericho perked up slightly. "I have found a katana from fifteenth century
Japan," he said, looking rather proud of himself as he crossed his arms over
his chest. Judson raised an eyebrow.
"That doesn't-- that doesn't mean that it belongs in the Library, Jericho..."
"It was hovering mid-air..." Jericho continued, shifting his stance slightly,
puffing himself up a bit. But only a bit. He was a professional, after all.
Both of Judson's eyebrows were raised now. "That-- that would make sense,
then." A pause while Jericho preened a little bit more. "Was-- was that all
you've found?"
Jericho shook his head. "The Library is sending out letters again, Judson."
The older man nodded, glancing past Jericho for a couple of seconds.
"It–- it does that sometimes. Jenkins has Flynn and-- and three other
Librarians... and a-- a guardian."
"Yeah," Jericho said. "I had heard that Jake Stone finally quit the oil rigs."
"Did-- did-- did someone come to-- to the Annex, or are you just avoid--
avoiding the question?" Judson asked, his tone holding a bit of reprimand to
it.
"Yes."
Judson bit back another exasperated sigh. "Yes to-- to which?"
"Both, actually," Jericho said. "A young woman came banging on the wall,
screaming something to the affect of: I know there's a door here, the letter
said so!" He smirked slightly. "I let her in, and she shows me a piece of
Library stationary, complete with wax seal. When I looked at it, it was
blank, though she insisted that it 'just had writing on it' and demanded to
know what I had done to it."
"That sounds-- sounds strangely familiar..." Judson smirked.
Jericho made a face at Judson. "I did NOT yell. I simply kept tapping and
looking for hidden latches."
"Yes," Judson said, laughter in his voice. "And-- and mumbling about the 'damn
thing' being-- being hidden. But whatever you-- you say." Judson paused for a
moment before adding almost too-casually, "So... what-- what do you think of
her?"
"She's quite pretty, actually," Jericho said after a few seconds. "Not
conventional... purple hair, I suppose people would call her 'Goth.'" Jericho
emphasized the term with air quotes. "Not the Teutonic people of the third and
fourth centuries..." He raised his eyebrows as he spoke, his gaze growing a
bit distant. "Quite fascinating architectural works..." He blinked and shook
his head. "She could be part of a modern-day subculture that believes..."
"I know what you-- what you mean, Jericho. I'm-- I'm hip. I'm with it.
Besides, I meant-- I meant the Annex.” Judson chuckled.
"Oh, of course," Jericho said, turning a number of different shades of red. "I
knew that. It's very nice."
Judson snorted a small laugh. "And I'm-- I'm glad that she's pretty. It’s hard
to-- to be stuck in the Library with someone who looks like she hit every--
every branch of the-- the ugly tree." The man shuddered and Jericho's jaw
dropped. Judson began to fade from the mirror, his laughter continuing a bit
after and all Jericho could really do, he found, was continue to stare at the
mirror in disbelief.
"What was that, Cinnabon?" Esmeralda asked as she closed the door behind her.
"I thought I heard someone laughing?" She raised an eyebrow at him.
"Nothing Esmeralda..." Jericho said, turning to smile at the woman as she
approached him. "Just the wind."
"Mmhmm..." the young woman said, though her violet eyes showed that she did
not believe him. She slipped an arm around his, however, and leaned into
Jericho. "You know I’ll find out..."
"Yes," he sighed, his brow furrowing as Esmeralda began to laugh. "I know."
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
A Gentleman Always Adapts
Moris Ravenswick had always considered himself to be a well-traveled,
open-minded man who was expertly versed in the way of the world. There wasn't
much that could surprise the man, the last thing to do so being the arrival of
Addyson in his life. And, all things considered, he took to the idea of her
living - existing, even - fairly quickly. After all, he never had thought that
he'd see the daughter he thought dead for so many years ever again, let alone
alive and perfectly well. Moris adapted, because without adaptation he
wouldn't have survived.
So when he opened the front door to the house in Pittsburgh, he knew he would
later feel guilty over just how unsurprised he was at the sight of an
unfamiliar 30-something carrying a blood-covered Tessa. To his credit, Moris
did not violently tear his lady love from the hold of the unknown man in his
haste to find the source of the blood, but his touch was gentle as he took her
prone form into his arms, almost as if he were afraid he would cause her more
discomfort. He turned without a word to the man, entering the little brick
house.
"Well," Moris called from the dining room a moment later. "Come inside and
explain why I shouldn't kill you." The man on the step laughed, which garnered
a frown from Moris, but he entered, carefully closing and locking the door
behind him.
"It's been awhile since a man invited me in," the newcomer said, standing next
to the table, though opposite of Moris. "She was shot, and I wasn't the one
who shot her."
Moris snorted. His hand was pressed firmly against Tessa's ribcage, though he
knew from the mess that it was anything but a through-and-through shot. "From
what she was able to tell me before she passed out, she'd been leaving
wherever she works and got caught up in a back-alley tussle. That... may have
been my fault. I was trying to deal with a few of those punks that hide behind
their mafia ties.... wrong place, wrong time." Moris' frown deepened, but his
silvery gaze remained trained on Tessa. "She was remarkably calm for a shot
like that. When I asked how I could help, she rattled off this address,
apologized for what she was about to do, and fainted away."
"Pretty impressive, your dame," the man continued, not that Moris was
listening. He was too busy trying to stem the bleeding enough to allow him to
step away and call for Jaina, or Dr Asher McCabe at the very least. Perhaps
luck would be with him and Naeva would be climbing in through a window at any
moment. No, he wasn't that lucky. He raised an eyebrow as he looked at Tessa's
face. Maybe she was, though. "...trust a woman to run the numbers for their
businesses. The fact that she's working for that old bat shows a lot for her
character."
Moris sighed as he stroked Tessa's cheek with the least bloody of his fingers.
"Why are you still talking? Back through the living area is a hallway. Down
that you will find a small closet filled with towels and the like. Make
yourself useful and bring me something to work with."
The man scoffed and pulled out a chair, flopping down into it with a loud
'oof'. Moris stared at the man, his expression one of shock. He was starting
to lose control of whatever calm he had, fear and doubt wheedling their way
beneath his resolve, doing their best to shatter it. "Why?" the man said.
"Towels or no, it won't make a difference. She's as good as gone. Unless
you're ready to do a blood transfusion within the next fifteen minutes,
anyway. She's lost too much..."
"Are you, conveniently, a physician, then?" Moris snapped as he checked
Tessa's pulse. It was weak, hardly more than a soft flutter, but it was there.
"Nope," the man replied, popping the 'p' in 'nope' as he spoke. "I am,
conveniently, someone who could save her life, though. Ish. Life being a
matter of perception." He withdrew a half-empty pack of cigarettes from the
pocket of his button-down. "Do you mind?" he asked Moris, cigarette already
between his lips, ready to light it. The man gave a half-hearted shrug when
Moris didn't answer. "Viggo Wolfe," he said after taking a lengthy hit on the
cig. "Figure you should know who I am if we're gonna consider this."
"What exactly are we considering?"
Viggo smiled as he exhaled, the smoke lazily rising towards the ceiling.
"Vampire extraordinaire. Been kickin' since 1386. Or was it 68?" Another
shrug, another hit. "She's got maybe another 10 minutes of life, 7 before
she's bled out too far for this to work."
"Absolutely not," Moris said tightly. "She doesn't deserve to be... be cursed
to that sort of life."
Viggo shifted, leaning forward to rest an elbow on the table. "The way I see
it, you can say your goodbyes right now where she won't be able to say hers
back, or," he pointed at Moris with two fingers, cigarette in hand. "We do
this and in a few years, when she's tired of it, you can do them then. On your
terms. Well, on her terms, really."
Moris stared at the man, his stoic visage slipping. "She deserves more than
the night."
With a bright smile, fangs in full view, Viggo leaned back in his seat.
"That's the beauty of this, though. She won't be stuck with the night. Stoker
got a few things right with that novel. Daylight, moonlight, whatever she
wants. Except silver, but a dame like that can pull off anything, I bet." He
took one last hit of his cigarette before putting it out against his palm.
"Three minutes. Look, I'll even stick around to help her adjust, or for you to
try and exact some revenge. Whatever you want. Just don't pass this up. You'll
regret it more than agreeing to the change."
Another moment passed, both men silent before Viggo huffed in annoyance.
"Look, man--"
"I know. Two minutes. How will this be done?"
Viggo stood, moving around to stand next to Moris. "Help me sit her up, her
back to my chest." Moris complied, one arm slipped under Tessa's shoulders to
pull her into a sitting position. "I'll take the bare minimum, we'll get some
of my blood into her, and we'll wait." Viggo slid an arm around Tessa's torso,
his free hand brushing the hair from her neck. "Sorry doll," he mumbled
quietly against the flesh of Tessa's neck. And he bit, Tessa's eyes opening as
his fangs pierced her skin, a ragged gasp passing from her lips.
Moris shushed her, a hand smoothing her hair in an attempt to calm her.
"Breathe, Tess. Please." Viggo withdrew and bit roughly at his wrist, tearing
flesh and sinew before holding the leaking arm to Tessa's mouth.
"Gotta drink, doll," Viggo said, nudging against her lips as he shifted her
back to Moris' hold. "You've gotta, otherwise we just hurt you for nothin'."
The woman keened softly, her head lolling back against Moris. She looked at
him questioningly, her blue gaze showing confusion.
Moris leaned to press a kiss atop her head. "Please, Tess," he whispered, his
voice pleading and defeated all at once. "I will understand when you despise
me later, but I cannot lose you like this." She whined softly again before
turning her gaze to Viggo. His wrist was upon her lips the instant she began
to part them, the blood trickling into her mouth.
"One hell of a dame," he mumbled, flexing his hand to push more blood. "You've
gotta drink it, sweetheart. This won't work unless you do." So she did,
struggling to swallow the sticky, metallic liquid. Viggo continued flexing his
hand, nodding as color flushed Tessa's pale cheeks. "That's it, just a little
more. The more you drink, the easier this next part is gonna be."
"What do you mean?" Moris snapped, turning his angry silver gaze to Viggo.
"What 'next part'?"
Viggo pulled his arm from Tessa's lips, his other hand reaching to wipe away
the blood trickling from her mouth. She sighed softly before leaning back, her
body going lax against Moris'. "Her body is gonna think it's dying. It'll
hurt. She's gonna fever, gonna be colder than she's ever been, and every
ridiculous thing in between, but it'll pass pretty quickly." Viggo stepped
away, his bloodied arm cradled against his stomach. "You're gonna want to get
that silver off of her. Probably just bundle her up in a comforter and have a
hot bath waiting for her."
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Untitled
Ari was asleep, arm draped over his eyes, coat and hat left haphazardly on the
floor. The hammock rocked slightly as the houseboat was pushed around by a
strong breeze off the bay. It was a threat from nature, promising a strong
storm, which would mean a long night, between the rough swaying of the
houseboat and terrified dogs. Naeva's newest - Luka - would be the worst; a
pup no more than five months old and wary of everything. He'd grow out of it,
she had promised Ari. He just needed time and strong love. She promised not to
coddle Luka the way she had Fifi and Sasha, that things would be different
since the dog wasn't meant to be a permanent member of their family. Ari had
only chuckled, murmuring a soft ascent, knowing he couldn't change Naeva's
mind, even if he wanted to. It was that way for most everything in their
lives, Naeva wanting something and refusing to take 'no' as an answer, and
most days Ari made time to thank whatever fates were listening that he was
able to agree with Naeva. Mostly.
Naeva had a list going, though, and Ari wasn't too impressed with most of the
things on it. A name was on it - Garen - and protective fury raged within when
he thought of it. Naeva shouldn't know of him, yet here he was, left on a note
Ari wasn't meant to see. A scribble about Luka leaving was on the page, though
specifics were non-existent. That hadn't bothered him. Her next bullet point
of "Tess's Attack" had. He knew of what happened, but he was patient, willing
to plan his retribution, whereas Naeva would rush after an imagined slight.
She would not analyze, she wouldn't communicate, not when the cause was
something so emotional. He would have to take care of the issue before she
could dwell on it for much longer.
Other names and notes filled her list, though all were short snippets, nothing
on the page to indicate what specifically she wanted to discuss. He could only
imagine why his lover was going to ask after Kellen. That never went over
well, Naeva wanting to attempt something she had no right thinking of and Ari
trying to bring her back in line. He did not thank the fates on those days. He
cursed them, rather, and waited impatiently for Naeva to cease her petulant
tantrums. She always made up with him the same way, and he had once asked her
why, asked her what was so difficult about just apologizing. His words weren't
accusatory, nor was his tone malicious. She had shrugged at his question
driven by curiosity. "Emotions are less difficult, now," she had finally told
him as she snuggled up to his side, doing her best to suppress a yawn. "I'm so
caught up in everything that it's easy for the words to slip out. So caught up
that I don't have the chance to analyze them or reconsider them. I know
they're real, then, and not something said because it needs to be." Ari had
hummed softly, a hand feeling through her hair as she wound down, continuing
until she was asleep against him.
Ari strongly suspected that this list wouldn't be able to be apologized for
with a rush of emotions. Part of him had hoped that she would decide against
mentioning most of the contents, thereby letting him continue to pretend that
he hadn't found it tucked away in the bottom of their wardrobe.
So he slept, waiting for Naeva to return from wherever she had wandered off to
this time. It was the easiest way to pass the time, though he had trouble
pushing the contents of his find from his thoughts. It was a fitful nap, so it
was no surprise to him that voices down the dock were able to wake him. He
rolled off the hammock, landing in a crouch. Slowly he stood, stretching his
muscles before wandering to one of the portholes to see who was lingering just
outside his home, and why they wouldn't cause the dogs to become alarmed.
"Why are we at Ari's?" he heard a young woman ask. Ari raised an eyebrow,
surprised at seeing Seraphina, of all people, loitering in Carthage. She
wasn't alone, the man with her unfamiliar to him. He was large, standing over
a foot taller than the girl, and he was powerfully built. There was something
more to him, something about this man that caused the hair on the back of
Ari's neck to stand on end.
The man shrugged halfheartedly as he smiled down at Seraphina. "Your dad
wanted me to take you out for the night," he said, holding her gaze.
Seraphina scoffed. "Yeah, well, dad's creepy, then. Doesn't he realize you're
like that weird uncle? Strange Uncle Balthazar with a million different
connections." Balthazar shrugged again.
"He probably figures that 'uncle' is close enough to 'daddy' to work for you."
Seraphina raised a hand to cover her eyes, her cheeks flushed crimson. "You
did NOT just say that," she said after a moment. Balthazar laughed, the sound
a soft rumble in his chest. "Even if you really did - which you didn't because
SERIOUSLY?!--" She lowered her hand from her face. "-If you really said that,
and this is a bad matchmaking attempt because dad doesn't believe that
Valdryth is real, why would you bring me here on a date?"
"'Cause I'm a romantic. The sea before a storm? It's a beautiful sight,
Phina." He smiled at her, crows feet crinkling before he tore his gaze from
her to look at the houseboat. "I'm also tired o' waitin' to talk to that man."
Seraphina opened her mouth to reply but was cut off by a loud crash of
thunder. "C'mon, sugar," Balthazar said, moving to stand next to Seraphina, a
hand resting on her lower back. "Let's get you inside before the rain melts
ya." With a nod from her, they made their way onto the boat. "Ya angry with
me?" Balthazar asked as they reached the door.
"Are you kidding me?" Seraphina asked as she knocked on the door. "I was
basically bait. Non-consensual bait!"
Balthazar hummed softly before saying, "Better'n being jailbait like ya used
ta be." Seraphina groaned and shoved the man from her just as the door opened.
"Pig," she mumbled, stepping up to Ari, her arms quickly slipping around his
waist.
"Nah, wolf," Balthazar retorted, a smile gracing his lips. "Huggin' up on him
like that makes me figure I wasn't so wrong with my earlier assessment."
Seraphina buried her face against Ari's chest, the hunter slipping an arm
around her shoulders. "Make him shut up, please, Ari." The hunter said nothing
as he moved Seraphina so she was behind his body. His entire body was tense as
he stared at Balthazar, ready to push Seraphina further into the houseboat, to
launch himself at the man - no, he was something more - before him. Balthazar
raised an eyebrow at Ari, who continued to stare, dark brown eyes locked with
Balthazar's golden ones.
Balthazar raised his hands slightly, in apparent defeat, as he backed away
from the door. "I know when I've overstayed my welcome," he said in a soft
tone, his eyes flicking to Seraphina before he gave Ari a small nod. "'nother
time, then." He turned his back to the hunter and left, hands slipping into
his pockets as he hopped from the houseboat to the dock. Ari lingered in the
doorway for another moment, watching until Balthazar was no longer in view. He
took a deep breath and turned, stepping into the houseboat's cabin and closing
the door behind him.
Seraphina sat on one of the cushions against the far wall, her eyes downcast
as she fidgeted with her nails, doing her best to not look at Ari as he
approached her. "I'm sorry," she said, the words catching in her throat. "I
know..." She glanced at Ari as he stood in before her, only to quickly avert
her gaze. He was staring at her, the same way he had stared at Balthazar. He
was furious, disappointed, and so many other terrible things that she could
just feel from the intensity of his look. "Dad made me promise, a long time
ago... Sorry doesn't change... I..." Seraphina sniffled and took a shuddering
breath. "Ari?"
He remained silent as he continued to watch the girl.
"Un--... He was the one who helped dad forever ago, Ari." Seraphina curled up,
her arms slipping around her legs as she hugged her knees to her chest. "It's
how dad..." She swallowed and stared at the floor. She could feel his gaze
still on her and she shifted, now sitting with her legs crossed. "I'm sorry,"
she whined.
A few moments passed in near-silence, Seraphina's soft whimpers and the
thunder of the incoming storm outside being the only sounds in the cabin,
before Ari crouched down in front of the woman. "Phina." He pulled her into
his arms, his movements slow and deliberate. She shifted easily, letting him
move her where he would. Ari rose, pulling Seraphina with him, and they stood
there for awhile, his arms tight around her as she sniffled against his chest.
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
Ari raised a hand to feel through her hair as he shook his head. "Tell me,
now," he said, his words gentle. It was a moment before he felt her nod and
take a deep breath. So she told him everything: What she knew of Balthazar's
past -- not much, Ari realized, mostly the same thing repeated in different
ways --, how her father had met the man, which was also how Antoni became
cursed to become a wolf and Seraphina had lost her mother, and how the pair
had worked together to keep not just Antoni safe, but Seraphina as well.
Years. Nearly two and a half decades Balthazar had been in their lives, and
Ari hadn't known about any of it.
When she finished telling Ari everything she could think of - from what
happened to her mother down to how Balthazar helped her obtain gifts for her
friends - she took a deep breath and finally chanced a look up at him. The
hunter gave her a small smile before placing a kiss on her head. "Wait out the
storm," he said to her, his tone just as gentle as before. "Then go tell your
father that you told me. No more secrets, Seraphina. Not from me."
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
A Simple Wedding
Jaina slowly counted to 10 in her mind as she buttoned the back of Addyson's
dress. "Everything is taken care of," she said, her fingers shaking slightly
as they worked an ivory loop of silk over one of the pearl buttons. "His mom
got all of the food and decorations together for the reception - not that much
of either are needed because this is the smallest wedding I've ever heard
of - and Miss Theresa is working the set-up of everything. Ransom and Doctor
McCabe are out there right now, moving chairs to wherever she points." Addyson
chuckled softly and stepped away from her sister.
"Isn't it the bride who should be nervous?" Addyson raised an eyebrow as she
smiled Jaina, who shrugged.
"I'm just trying to help," She said, adjusting her burgundy dress. "Mom did
the same for me at mine."
"Thank you," Addyson said, smiling. "You look lovely, Jaina." It was Jaina's
turn to raise an eyebrow. "Is it not custom to compliment your own family?"
Addyson canted her head slightly. "The Kirvels do frequently, as do Father and
Theresa."
"It's fine, Addy," Jaina said, taking a deep breath. "Thank you. Now sit down.
We've to get your hair done."
It wasn't long before Arianne popped into the cottage, letting the girls know
that everything was nearly ready. Moris entered with her and quickly made his
way to Addyson. The pair spoke in hushed voices, allowing neither Jaina nor
Arianne any inkling as to what was being said.
"How is your brother doing?" Jaina asked Arianne as the two women looked out
the door, the wedding set up in the field before them.
"Nervous," Arianne said with a small laugh. "But also very excited. My sweet
one has only been like this maybe twice before and those moments ended well
for him, so I can only hope this one does, too." She glanced sideways at
Jaina. "And how is Addyson?"
Jaina snorted before waving to Kezia, who was across the field, standing next
to a small red-headed woman and a tanned man. He had the same skin tone as
Kezia, among other features. Maybe they were siblings? "I wouldn't know she
was getting married today except for the fact that I helped her into her dress
myself." She motioned to the people in the field with a nod of her head. "Who
is everyone? I know parents. I know Asher. I would hope I do, anyway, as I was
the one who brought him."
"That's Ari Leonte and Naeva Trinstadt over by mom. We were surprised when
they showed up."
Jaina quirked a brow. "Why?" Arianne shrugged.
"Normally mom has to nag at Ari for ages before they agree to come out for
holidays. Something about 'danger' or 'hunts' or some other probably-valid
excuse." Arianne snickered softly. "Mom probably pulled out the 'he's your
Godson' card. Then they banter-flirted. And then he gave her a placating
non-promise."
"So why the surprise?"
Arianne glanced over her shoulder and found Moris and Addyson still talking.
"The full moon is soon and Ari is a hunter. Though, that might be why they're
here. Made it a point to show up in case anything happens." The woman raised
both eyebrows as she felt Jaina tense beside her. "Bad luck with full moons?"
"No, just wedding after-parties," Jaina answered before nodding to a different
spot in the field. "And that?"
"With Miss Theresa?" Arianne asked, surprised.
"Yeah."
"That's Cordell Wallace," Arianne said, her tone still one of surprise. "My
date to all of this. I thought you would know him, though, because of how he
and Addy..."
Jaina nodded. "I didn't realize it was him. It's been ages, in my defense. The
last time I saw him was when he had just started calling on my sister. When
they were still just friends." She gave Arianne a sly little smirk as they
watched Cordell laugh at something Tessa said, both his and her cheeks
flushing. "The past couple of years have certainly treated him well."
Arianne laughed lowly. "You don't know the half of it, luv." It was Jaina's
turn to laugh.
"I'd offer my congratulations, but then we'd have to do that thing where I ask
how long until it's you getting married."
"Oh, it's not like that," Arianne said, glancing back to Addyson and Moris
once more. "He goes off and does his thing, I go off and do my thing,
sometimes we get together and do things. It feels like it's like that,
sometimes, so maybe. It's a nice thought. Not unlike like you and Doctor
McCabe being more than co-workers."
Jaina scoffed. "You've been talking to Addyson."
"Of course I have," Arianne said, giving Jaina a look. "She basically lives
with us, as Eitri doesn't like to leave me alone for too long, regardless of
how often I tell him that it's perfectly fine." Silence hung between the two
women, both returning a wave to Theresa as she smiled brightly and nudged
Cordell into waving as well. "Wanna talk about it?"
"Not particularly," Jaina said, watching Theresa look at one of the charms on
her bracelet. "Must almost be time."
Arianne shook her head. "Eitri and the priest will be here about 15 minutes
before it's all supposed to start." Jaina raised an eyebrow at Arianne who
shrugged. "Short and sweet. They're probably on their way right now, though.
Oh, watch this. It's gonna be great." Arianne nodded to the field, where
Theresa had started nudging Cordell towards a seat. He put up a little bit
of a fight before she pinched his side, both laughing again. Cordell raised
his hands in defeat as he made his way to a chair in the second row. Theresa
then moved over to where the remaining guests had gathered, slipping an arm
around Naeva's. She said something and when nobody moved, she reached out and
pinched at Ransom's side, much like she had Cordell's, while Naeva did the
same to Ari.
"Do they all get together often?" Jaina asked, her blue eyes glowing faintly
as she watched the group move to the remaining chairs.
Arianne shook her head. "Not really. I go out every so often to spend time
with Miss Theresa and Lord Ravenswick. She has some hilarious stories and if I
want to hear them, I've to go to her. She doesn't leave their house that
often." She smiled faintly. "I know Trinstadt goes out there, too. I'm not
sure if Ari visits with her. As for mom and dad, he's a people person and mom
is incredibly open once she gets used to either a person or the idea of them.
Since she's used to Addy, and Miss Theresa means the world to her, mom's used
to the idea of her. I think Addyson got them all to have dinner a couple of
times, too, but I was out of this realm when all of those happened."
"We've got to be getting close to it being time," Jaina said. "Unless Eitri
jumped ship to another realm."
Arianne chuckled, the sound low in her throat. "Oh, he wouldn't do that. That
girl behind us is his whole world." She pointed to the south of the field.
"Look, there he is, walking up with--- oh Gods."
"Oh, Hell no," Jaina hissed.
"Is there an issue?" Moris asked from behind the pair. Arianne shook her head
while Jaina nodded. Leaning past the girls slightly, Moris peered outside.
"Ah. Setheus. This will prove interesting." He stepped back and looked at
Jaina, his silvery gaze a mix of sympathetic and amused. "It would appear that
this wedding will be interesting, in line with all other weddings from your
mother's line."
"Interesting is being kind, Mr Ravenswick," Jaina said, glaring at Setheus as
he and Eitri stopped at the chairs for smalltalk. Addyson laughed as she stood
next to her father, an arm slipping around his.
"To think, the first time I actually meet Setheus, he's officiating my
wedding," she said, her smile gentle. "Oh, Eitri does look quite handsome. I
wonder if that is new armor." Both Arianne and Jaina whirled around, the
latter shoving Addyson back from the door.
"The groom doesn't see the bride until she's walking down the aisle!" Jaina
said, directing her sister back a few more feet for good measure. "It's bad
luck and we don't need to go asking for trouble!" Addyson merely blinked
before turning her questioning gaze to her father.
He shrugged. "It is tradition, coming from when arrange marriages were
common." Addyson's brow furrowed slightly.
"Oh, but why---"
"Tradition!" Jaina said, stepping away for a few seconds to pick up a scrap of
lace from atop a table. "We don't test fate in this family, so tradition! Now
sit down, we've to get this veil attached. It's almost time."
Addyson decided that, as she walked down the aisle with Moris at her side, her
wedding with Eitri would be her second favorite memory since entering the
Earthly realm. Foremost would always, always, be the day she met her father,
but this was certainly nice. There was a tightness in the pit of her stomach
and yet she felt light, as if she could almost float. Garen had been wrong
about love, she thought. He had told her to be wary of it, yet why would she
wish to feel any way other than how she did as Moris raised her veil and
pressed a small kiss to her cheek, than how she did when he gave her hand to
Eitri?
The ceremony passed in a blur, Setheus' voice nothing more than a murmur in
the background. She responded accordingly, repeating the promises put forth
when necessary, her 'I do' almost lost to even herself. She smiled brightly
as Eitri gently pulled her against him as Setheus announced them husband and
wife, both hands raising to cradle her face. The kiss he gave her would
forever be her favorite, sweet and gentle as he brushed her tears away with
his thumbs. Love, she decided, was her favorite of all human emotions.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Attending from Afar
The fields were abuzz with activity. From his position at the top of the hill,
Garen could see the chairs being aligned, tables arranged, and food being set
out for the reception. He watched as the groom's mother finished setting the
last of the food, sighed, and sat down at a one of the tables near the rear.
Her husband entered the quaint cottage, only to return carrying a sketchbook
and a variety of drawing instruments a moment later. He handed them to his
wife, then whispered something into her ear. She smiled and put a hand over
his before opening the book and setting pencil to paper. To Garen, it seemed
odd, this knight sensing what his wife needed without a word from her. Most of
the knights he had known were either dense or too self-absorbed to be able to
be so perceptive. He would have to watch this one. Nadia had spoken highly of
his honor and courage, but she also spoke of his eyes, so Garen discounted
much of the other praise as blind infatuation.
As both families were known the world over, one would have thought that the
guest list would have been massive. It not every day the the Ravenswicks and
the Kirvels were united in marriage. However, Garen saw only family and what
must be very close friends in attendance. He watched as Jaina Aurion-Valentine
joined her 'colleague' and everyone started taking seats. Garen smiled as he
watched Lord Ravenswick step out, his ever-present cane in his right hand and
Addyson at his left. Lord Ravenswick looked almost pleased; at the very least
his eyes were not cold and distant. Nadia had thought very well of him as
well, having married him. Now, his only true daughter was being wed to the son
of a Knight.
Again, Garen chuckled at how marvelous this was all working out. Former
members of enemy organizations, having their children marry, and looking happy
about it. Interesting times to say the least. Of course, Sir Ransom had
attempted to hunt down the demoness that tried to kill Nadia and her baby.
(And in return, hadn't Lord Ravenswick helped Sir Ransom, when his wife was
abducted, in dealing with the madman responsible?) Garen remembered taking
Addyson down through the different circles in an attempt to keep her hidden
from both realms for as long as he could. It seemed almost an eternity ago,
but here she was getting married to a man kidnapped to and raised in Asgard.
It could not have worked out better, in his opinion.
The ceremony concluded and those gathered were eating and making merry. Garen
watched at the groom crossed the field to have a word with Lord Ravenswick.
They exchanged a few words, then, clasping the young man's shoulder, Lord
Ravenswick strode toward the cottage.
Garen scanned the field until he found Addyson again. She looked genuinely
happy. He felt a surge of pride as he watched. She had turned out to be an
intelligent, beautiful young lady. Had it not been for the curse, he would
have worried far more about returning her to her own realm. It was quite a
stroke of luck that her father...
'Lovely ceremony, wasn't it?' a voice said from behind him.
'It was adequate, Moris...' Garen turned to face Lord Ravenswick, smirking.
'You saw me, then.'
'Actually, it was young Master Kirvel who saw you. He told me that there was
a man standing on a hill, watching. That he hadn't moved throughout the entire
ceremony.'
'Ah. He is better than his father, then. At least in this way.'
'Why did you not just come to the wedding? Addyson said that she invited you.'
'I chose to be here for your benefit. You would have worried about Nerezza.
But I couldn't not be here.... 600 years of work is hard to just forget about.'
'I thought your work ended with her mother, when you chose to relinquish your
claim to her,' Lord Ravenswick said, his eyes beginning to take on a cold
look.
'It did, but she is what I was working toward. And she is magnificent.'
'She is a wonderful young woman, and I will never be able to thank you for
saving her...'
'Yes, I know... 'but we should limit contact...',' Garen smirked.
'No. I think that if I wanted to do that, she would find other ways to make
such contact. I just ask that you not allow anything to harm her or the boy.'
Garen laughed. 'Moris, I kept her safe through the Nine Circles of Hell...
it's your turn now.' With that said, Garen turned and walked away.
After watching him disappear, Moris picked up a box that sat at the base of
the Carob tree Garen had been standing under. It was addressed to Eitri and
Addyson Kirvel. 'What in the nine hells did he give them?' Moris thought.
Shaking his head, he carried the box to his daughter and new son-in-law.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
A Request
"Valdryth?" Seraphina didn't look at the man when she spoke, her eyes downcast
as she twisted her fingers 'round one another. The hunter raised an eyebrow,
though did not turn his gaze from his bow as he worked at oiling it. Seraphina
could feel her cheeks flush, the heat of her embarrassment only causing her
more as she continued to fidget, eyes still downcast. She was convinced this
was a stupid idea, that she shouldn't be bothering Valdryth with something so
mundane, so childish. There were probably a hundred other things that he'd
want to do with his available downtime, she reasoned, so there wasn't any
reason to drag him off on some silly adventure.
Seraphina sputtered as an oil-covered cloth hit her in the face. "What's on
your mind, Phina?" The woman huffed at Valdryth as she batted the cloth away,
but not before it left stains on her skin. "Besides besting the valiant combat
efforts of that rag, of course."
"I wanted to know if you would to go the carnival with me," she said while
ducking down to pick up the rag and lob it back at Valdryth. She shifted her
stance, turning her body slightly so she was no longer fully facing Valdryth.
Anything to hide her renewed blush. "Put your throwing arm to good use and
make you win me a stuffed animal or something." He caught the cloth and nodded
slightly in agreement.
"It would be a good use." Valdryth was careful as he set his bow on the table,
ensuring no wet part was touching it before he wiped his hands off on the
thrown and abused rag. "I'm thinking... a crocodile?" Seraphina made a face at
him. "A lion, perhaps?" She made sure to scrunch her nose up extra at that
suggestion and stuck her tongue out as Valdryth stepped up to her. "Surely you
don't want a bear."
"A kangaroo," she said matter-of-factly as she crossed her arms over her
belly. "And we're getting cotton candy." Valdryth merely nodded as he gently
wiped at the oil on her cheek, a small smile tugging at his lips. "We should
probably be there long enough to have lunch." She looked towards the ceiling
in thought, not really paying much attention as Valdryth now wiped at her
other cheek, only to smudge the oil a bit lower on her face as well. "I think
we could probably find something that wouldn't give either of us gut-rot,
though I don't know that you have to worry about anything like that. I mean,
just look at you." He returned to his first smudge as Seraphina continued to
speak, his little smirk still there. "Ooh, I wonder if they have gross
deep-fried things here like they do at the American carnivals. Have you ever
had a deep fried pickle?" She raised an eyebrow as he turned his gaze to meet
hers.
"That sounds terrible."
She nodded. "It really is. They deep fry Oreos, too." He raised an eyebrow,
finger hovering just above the tip of her nose. "Like my chocolate cookies
stuffed with cream, but crunchy cookies, not chewy."
"Again, that sounds terrible."
"Again, it really is." She frowned at Valdryth suddenly. "You drew whiskers
on my face, didn't you? I'm trying to feed you and you draw on me."
He held his hands up in defeat and took a couple of slow steps backwards.
"Meow, please don't be upset with me---" Valdryth ran, darting past Seraphina
and into the foyer, only to rush up the stairs. Seraphina waited all of three
seconds before chasing after him, shouting about 'dibs' in regards to the
bathroom sink.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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