[Cathy]

“Thank you. I…That’s…kind of you.” Leana said looking baffled and glancing at everyone crowding around her. Honestly felt like the Disney Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs but Alessio would have to break the Fourth Wall to make that observation 😉

They certainly made the most outlandish group you could think of, now that Alessio was thinking of it. A flamboyant robber and the girl who tried to bring him in, his evil doppelganger, plus an assassin and the boy he was hired to murder. Handcuffed together. And this random armored guy armed with a sword-hilt.

At this point it was so ridiculously crazy Alessio didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

In the end he decided he might as well introduce everybody since she was now obviously an adopted member of the band to be protected and spoiled by everyone while they went on a side-quest to find Nithel.

“That’s Arsene…” Alessio gave a looong pause shoot the robber a strained expression like ‘Now will you tell me your real name???’ And finally continued with a miffed look when he didn’t. “and that’s…”

Actually. He didn’t know anybody else’s names.

“I actually don’t know any of these people.” He said almost to himself.

Can this get any stupier??????

 

@kimlikesart @ragnarok @ethan-leonard

To be a light to the world you must shine in the darkness.

[Catholic Creed]

Okay, who said you could talk to me like a kid?

I am in my twenties and an adult thank you very much!

Course, I don’t feel much like an adult in the moment. Which is entirely irrelevant to the task at hand – namely, trying to act like an adult.

Of course creepy punk is babbling still. Like I’m a kid – actually, I’m pretty sure nobody talk like that to me even when I was a kid. Course, I don’t remember much before I turned thirteen.

Back when I could see.

“You don’t have anything to be afraid of right now. Everything you’re scared of already happened, mm?”

Eh. That’s a little bit better. Points for trying punk.

“There’s nothing to be scared of now that won’t have an end.”

Now that is a little ominous and sounds like you’re about to torture me. Boo. Bring on the next act.

“Good plan.”

His voice comes away from me now. He’s looked away.

Hm. Might need to get my smoke back – which has entirely dissipated because that’s what happens when I panic. Great going Burn. Gotta love your logic.

“Oh. Caleb’s breaking a hole in the roof.”

Uh. Who’s Caleb?

Hm… I’ll just pretend I know. Like usual.

“Well, if he brings the river in on us, I’m gonna kill him before the water does.” I snap, dropping the fire opal into my hand again.

Smoke. Wonderful, warm, caustic, smoke.

I roll the smoke through my fingers, tracing the shape of the tunnels we’d gone through so far…

… which is so effective when you keep falling through holes in reality…

Whatever.

“I’ve got a genus loci to punish and I ain’t dying cause someone’s gone dig happy.”

When life knocks you down, wait 'til it passes over you and then attack it from behind.

[Cathy]

“Well, if he brings the river in on us, I’m gonna kill him before the water does.” Blind Guy snaps. Good to know he’s recovered enough to yell at everybody, that was a relief. “I’ve got a genus loci to punish and I ain’t dying cause someone’s gone dig happy.”

“Dying would also be bad for group morale, so kindly refrain from it.” Nathair added cheerfully. But the water was an issue, one that Caleb may not have fully thought through. However the deed was already so well on its way it they were going to be flooded they would’ve been already.

“We might as well get going,” Nathair said, climbing to his feet. “It’s almost big enough to climb through now.”

Blind Guy. He was fooling with a smooth stone that rippled with smoke. Ah. An ability-born. That might come in handy.

“Do you need help getting to the opening or can you just stumble along reasonably?” Nathair smirked.

 

@hannahrenner @ethan-leonard @rusted-knight

To be a light to the world you must shine in the darkness.

[Ragnarok]

“Thank you. I…That’s…kind of you.” the lady said.

Hades only observed because there was nothing better to do. He didn’t know where the candies came from, but as long as they weren’t poisoned, it wasn’t a problem.

“That’s Arsene…” Alessio started introducing people, “and that’s…”

Alessio paused. Oh no, please don’t…

“I actually don’t know any of these people.”

Hades let out an annoyed sighed, facepalming. Of course. “Idiot.”

Grumbling, Hades made his decision. “Let’s get to that room Arsene arranged for everyone.”

Not that he was going to sleep much. Even if he wasn’t handcuffed to Alessio, sleep was difficult, thanks to Persephone. Before Persephone, Hades had people who helped him. He had a family. He had a purpose. But it Timur and Persephone who took that away.

Words could not describe how much he wanted to kill them. 

“Let’s just get to bed. I want to get at least a few hours of sleep.”

You can only come to the morning through shadows: Tolkien

[Cathy]

Beside him, his would-be assassin gave a slow, suffocating-martyr sigh, and facepalmed. “Idiot.”

Alessio paused and cocked his head at Sir Scary with his biggest, most innocent wide puppy eyes.

“You have eminently superior intelligence and cleverness, I bow before your observational skills. It took you one short day to determine I’m an idiot, while most people take the full extent of five minutes. I salute you, O Wise One.”

“Let’s get to the room Arsene arranged for everyone.” He said, ignoring Alessio’s retort, which was fine with him he probably shouldn’t have said it. Nithel would not have approved…

“Let’s just get to bed. I want to get at least a few hours of sleep.” Devils. Alessio was tired but the last thing he wanted was sleep it usually left him more exhausted. Wait. Oh. Oh nonononono no. With Sir Scary, the guy who wants to kill him! Sleep was bad enough without an assassin sharing sleeping corridors!!!

Devils. He thought with despairing resignation and looked back at Leana.

“If there’s anything I can do to help you, I’m completely at your service, ma’am.” Alessio said and bowed to her.

In his culture it was a debt of kindness that he owed to Nithel which could be repaid by service to his daughter, so it was a solemn oath of loyalty to be passed down generations until the debt was absolved or repaid once he voluntarily acknowledged it.

Sir Scary just started dragging him along, and Alessio just glared witheringly at him.

“Arsene will get you a separate room and a meal!” Alessio volunteered the robber without his consent. Speaking of food, he was starving. Maybe he should complain dramatically about it but that sounded like a waste of time.

But he let himself be dragged away this time, grumbling loud enough for Sir Scary to hear, soft enough to not bother Leana…hopefully.

 

@kimlikesart @ragnarok @ethan-leonard

To be a light to the world you must shine in the darkness.

[Kimmi]

Cathy- You’d be right about Nithel not approving. 😄

——–

The man bound to Alessio put his face in his hand, muttering, “Idiot.”

Leana’s brows lowered, eyes narrowing at that. Frankly, she didn’t know why he’d called him that. And… frankly, she didn’t much care. *many thoughts, both frustrated at NoName, and wondering pity*

But then Alessio agreed…  Leana did not approve, either. Her eyes filled with more sadness, disapointment, just a different kind.

“Let’s get to the room Arsene arranged for everyone.” Crass NoName said.

And that, that was laughable. “What room?” She said under her breath, but in a firm monotone.

“Let’s just get to bed. I want to get at least a few hours of sleep.” He ignored, or didn’t hear, her. Maybe a mix of both.

It’s only midday! She bit her tongue. A bed sounded good. A place this nice should have a mattress stuffed with goose feathers… But the idea of sleeping in the same room as these… She might be able to console herself with some. But it had flags hung all over it.

Leana met Alessio’s eyes, and her heart tightened at the utter despair in them. Anger tickled at her chest, Who hurt you?

He spoke, voice gentle, and serious as anything she’d heard. His eyes still pained, kind. “If there’s anything I can do to help you, I’m completely at your service, ma’am.” He bowed.

Leana’s lips parted in shock. Why… would you do that? The rest of her face remained impassive.

Alessio jerked, crass NoName dragging him back up the hall.

Leana’s jaw dropped, eyes widening in shock. What!

“Arsene will get you a separate room and a meal!” Alessio called, voice tight.

“Wait!” She took a step after, glancing at the armoured man and the one who gave her the bag, “Sir. Stop it!” Her voice projected. She has experience with petulant boys, but it could also be false confidence. Her eyes lit as she stared at the one dragging Alessio. “Sir, who are you? Why have you bound him? What are you doing with him?” How dare you?

If he doesn’t stop, she’ll race to catch up, and just might plant herself in his path. (What good that will do, I don’t know.)

———–

@ragnarok @ethan-leonard @this-is-not-an-alien

Jominkreesa

'Forth now! And fear no darkness!'

[Cathy]

Heheh, nor his daughter😅✌️

 

“Wait!” Leana cried after them. “Sir. Stop it!”

Alessio first thought was literally had he done something, but he realized she was staring at Sir Scary, her eyes flashing with indignation. Oh. No wait this actually was a very suspicious set of circumstances with no good explanation available…

“Sir, who are you? Why have you bound him? What are you doing with him?” She demanded. Alessio was going to say something but the warmth in her voice caught him off-guard. He still really wasn’t sure how to respond to someone actually caring about his wellbeing and not being able to attribute it to any ulterior motive…

“Oh that, that wasn’t actually him, that just…happened…” Alessio whispered in the background, sort’ve motioning to the handcuffs, beginning to feel his cheeks burn, sinking a little like he could melt into the shadows. Which, normally he could, ‘normally’ being when he wasn’t handcuffed to Sir Scary.

He wasn’t sure how Sir Scary was going to respond but he was not getting into this except to murder him if he looked at her wrong. So he just blinked and sank a little into his shoulders panicking at the warmth tingling through his whole body.

He was faking it he was faking it he was faking it, but he was so starved for affection.

 

@ragnarok @kimlikesart @ethan-leonard

To be a light to the world you must shine in the darkness.

[Ragnarok]

“Wait!” the girl called out. “Sir. Stop it!”

She proceeded to run up the stairs, appearing rather angry. “Sir, who are you? Why have you bound him? What are you doing with him? How dare you…!”

Ugh, this brings back memories.

“Oh that, that wasn’t actually him, that just…happened…” Alessio whispered, almost like a frightened puppy.

Hades honestly didn’t know how the handcuffs got on him. What would they have done if they were here? Seth would have probably used this as an opportunity to get on his nerves, Serena would likely make fun of him, and Ares would say something like “We’re even now.”

Hades was quite irritated already, with his exhaustion only making that worse. A peek out the window told him it was getting dark and that there was a storm, meaning he wouldn’t be going too far. The best thing to do was to get some rest and get out of here.

“I am unaware of how Alessio was handcuffed to me. I don’t enjoy it any more than he does.” Hades spoke in a tensed voice that sounded too creepy for his liking. Calmly, the Black Knight continued. “Arsene arranged a hotel room and neither of us are going to get a better opportunity to rest.”

Hades could hear Chloe, his mother, intervening. “Mind your manners!”

Cursing his anti-social attitude, Hades frowned through his mask (not that either of them would see that). “Please let us pass.”

You can only come to the morning through shadows: Tolkien

[Kimmi]

Leana’s eyes softened, ire lessening just as quickly as it had sprung. “I’m sure there’s a way to get them off.” She glances from Alessio, to the other man again. I assume you both want them off. Frankly, the man in all the armour looked like he might know a way… “What is your name?” Leana slid to the side a bit. Wary… but willing to listen. She also knew how coveted sleep could be.

Why did you call Alessio… *hurts* *sort of wants to hug Alessio and cry* But she makes herself look at NoName, straightening her shoulders. “What country are you from? Do you… know what country we’re in?” Why the mask? But… she knew why a few men wore them, at least from the war, and it filled her with more wondering pity.

—-

@ragnarok @ethan-leonard @this-is-not-an-alien

Jominkreesa

'Forth now! And fear no darkness!'

[Ragnarok]

“What country are you from? Do you… know what country we’re in?”

Okay, reasonable questions. Be as nice as possible. “I’m from a city state called Irondale. As for where we are, I don’t know.”

Hades tried to sound more friendly, but his voice sounded serious and tensed. He found he almost always spoke that way to people he didn’t know. There was always a tint of spite or aggression. Being tired didn’t assist that.

“We were all on a ferry boat, before the location changed twice, bringing us here.”

He conveniently left out the assassination part. Hunting someone like Alessio was already rather sick-minded, but killing him like this was beyond unacceptable.

“Heal your wounds. Get stronger. Then we’ll settle the matter.” 

Where had he heard those words before?

“DNA of the soul. If you expose people to hate, they learn to hate.” 

Timur. That’s where he heard it. That was the last time they ever spoke.

“You believe you’ve beaten me, but I’ve only live on through you. No matter where you go…” 

There will always be bloodshed. Hades was becoming increasingly frustrated, before a brief black aura flickered on his body. Hopefully, nobody noticed, because it was rather brief.

“Kill more.” Oh cr*p, Persephone was back. Her silky voice was sickening, gaining more influence when Hades was angry.

“Can you just shut the f*ck up?” 

There was no way in H*ll he could lose it here. Not now.

You can only come to the morning through shadows: Tolkien

[Cathy]

“I am unaware of how Alessio was handcuffed to me. I don’t enjoy it any more than he does.” Sir Scary said in a low, tense voice. He did not like talking to strangers, duly noted. Of course, Alessio had yet to find something Sir Scary did like but that’s just detail. “Arsene arranged a hotel room and neither of us are going to get a better opportunity to rest.”

There was a bit of a pause and Sir Scary added with something of an strained attempt at civility. “Please let us pass.”

He was getting tenser. And Alessio would be caught in whatever crossfire ensued if he snapped. So. that was great.

“I’m sure there’s a way to get them off.” Leana said, more gently.

Well, we’ve tried picking the lock, dislocating my thumb, annihilating the steel, but sure…I’m sure there’s a way to get them off…

It was nice of her to say that – wholly inaccurate but nice.

“What is your name?” She asked Sir Scary, moving out of the way a little.

No yeah, I’d like to know that too. Alessio thought, glancing at his would-be assassin.

“What country are you from? Do you…know what country we’re in?” Would be nice if Sir Scary knew where they were but Alessio doubted that…

He blinked a couple times, trying to focus he couldn’t figure out why it was so hard to focus right now. Well, he felt a little numb, it was possible he was dissociating. Sir Scary was saying something but Alessio was used to the sound of his voice now and he didn’t sound upset so it felt like white noise.

“…We were all on a ferry boat, before the location changed twice, bringing us here.” Huh? Wait, pay attention! Haha, yeah they were both going to gloss over the whole attempted assassination thing. And he was beginning to dissociate to avoid having to address the fact that he was really sleepy.

Sir Scary tensed slightly in the middle of the conversation which was enough to make Alessio hyper alert. For all of ten seconds he really was sleepy and that was making him even more stressed because he knew his senses were dulled and he couldn’t fix that.

 

@ragnarok @kimlikesart @ethan-leonard

To be a light to the world you must shine in the darkness.

[Ragnarok]

After that conversation with the girl, Hades managed to get past and to the apartment. Arsene’s body double was there, getting ready to go to sleep. Arsene had gone to arrange a separate room for the girls, leaving Alessio and Hades to their own devices.

There was only one bed left.

“You take the bed,” Hades ordered, “I’ll take the floor.”

There was no way he was sleeping in the same bed.

You can only come to the morning through shadows: Tolkien

[Cathy]

The room was a lot bigger and fancier than he expected (of course he always expected the worst anyway but that was just detail). It was stunning and uncomfortably welcoming but Alessio wasn’t really taking in much of it he was just thinking how he could possibly stay alert all night because he absolutely could not go to sleep in this situation.

Arsene’s Evil Doubleganger was already there so bonus anxiety for that.

Honestly Alessio just had no clue what he was going to do at this point.

“You take the bed,” Sir Scary said “I’ll take the floor.”

Alessio suspicious stared at the bed like it was a foreign beast, before dropping onto it a little more carefully then usual (he didn’t want to be yanked by the handcuffs while theatrically flopping into a despondent position on his back).

It was reaaaaaaally soft, heavenly, almost unnervingly soft. It felt like he could sink into it and drown. He did not like that sensation…

Finally, Alessio perched on the edge of the bed and started idly picking the lock again, not like it would free them anyway but he needed something to do.

“So…who hired you to kill me anyway?” Alessio asked tentatively, fixing his attention on the cuffs to avoid eyecontact, adding with a shrug. “I mean it doesn’t seem personal, you seem more annoyed by my existence than genuinely devoted to wrothful ire and vengeance against me.”

He looked up to see Sir Scary’s reaction even while he continued to pick the lock.

Was he going to get killed over this? Probably. Was he going to get killed anyway? Well…he was handcuffed to his would-be assassin.

To be a light to the world you must shine in the darkness.

[Ragnarok]

“So…who hired you to kill me anyway?” Oh come on, Hades was tired.

“I mean it doesn’t seem personal,” Alessio continued, “You seem more annoyed by my existence than genuinely devoted to wrothful ire and vengeance against me.”

Well, that’s one way to put it. At this point, Hades was debating whether or not to finish the job. Was it really worth it? Even if he did get rid of Persephone, would killing Alessio just be something that would haunt him for the rest of his life. How could he ever hope to return to Serena and Seth if he killed Alessio?

Then again, if he didn’t rid himself of Persephone, he would likely kill more people. He already had enough murderous rage and spite, he didn’t need Persephone adding to it.

“I was contacted by an employer calling himself the Necromancer.”

No point in hiding it anymore. “I have a virus affecting me and my behavior. It is not contagious, but it isn’t leaving my system. My payment is a cure.”

You can only come to the morning through shadows: Tolkien

[Kimmi]

Leana watches as they disapear behind a door. Not sure what to do. She sort of wants to disappear. Go out into the apparent night, and start walking back home. But without any directions… it seemed unlikely she’d get there.

Was I conked as I entered the tent? Dragged here, of all places, and left? Why?

And Alessio had said he knew her father. Had acted like Dad was nearby.

She leaned against the wall, across from the guys’ door, giving side glances to the other doors lining the hall. Then she dropped the bag and slid down to sit on the thick carpet, skirted knees close to her chest. She rested her hands on it, just so she could feel it. It’s a tapestry fit for a king… or at least what she imagined a king might have. But these people just… walked on it. She walked on it.

Leana truly had no idea what to do. Alessio had said that other fellow, who gave her the bag, was getting her and the other woman a room. Curiosity pricked inside her, but all she wanted to do was curl up and cry. But that didn’t seem acceptable here. Either the crying… or the curling up in a hallway of kings.

She pulled in a long slow breath, thinking. Staring at the carpet, and yet… at nothing. Memories play like moving pictures in front of her eyes.

——

@ragnarok @ethan-leonard @this-is-not-an-alien

Jominkreesa

'Forth now! And fear no darkness!'

[Author]

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