Vengeance or Reconciliation? (Termite)

[Tassadar]

Re: Vengeance or Reconciliation? (Termite)

Spoiler

Alexandra Alistar: HP = 62/75, PP = 60, EP = 1/85, Status = Lightly Injured, Low on Energy

Alex was largely left to her own devices as the arena mages tried, and failed, to revive Arclan, and the crowd was still just looking on in shocked horror at the knight's bloody corpse, even ignoring her when she transformed back to her normal state. While many might have thought that speaking to one's weapon as if it could answer was an act of madness, in this case it was entirely merited given the sheer quantity of magic that had been worked into her sword, and Alex had an answer spoken into her mind instantly; 'It wasn't me!' Her sword's voice was deep and masculine, and in fact it was highly reminiscent of her father's voice. 'I didn't break that spell... Someone else did. Someone powerful enough to break down the enchantments of every mage in the arena at the same time.' A somewhat dubious claim given that only one of them had actually worked magic on Alex's sword, and that the one on her shield and her own empowerment had remained in place without being disturbed, but it would have taken a fairly powerful individual to disable the protective magics placed on her sword without being detected.... And the only one that she knew for sure had such power was Aes.

Celestial Nail sounded more frustrated that it wasn't sure who had broken the spells placed over it than upset over the fact that it had just been used to kill, though that might not come as much of a surprise given that it was a sword to which she spoke. Up in the stands, Aescila was holding a hand over Angelle's eyes, and Undine had come around to block the sight as well. Alex wasn't sure, but her daughter was shaking and clutching at her father in way that seemed like she was crying. The dark angel herself was looking on with a dark frown, one that was somewhat odd given her distaste for blood, but Alex had seen that look before. It had appeared when her lover's angelic side was pushing her to act, and while that had come fairly infrequently thanks to the fact that Dina's Insight had been split four ways, it had still come across Aescila's face often enough for Alex to recognize it immediately.

"Uhhh.... We would like everyone to calmly and orderly clear the stands!" the announcer said, and if Alex glanced up at the main box she'd see that the nobleman who'd occupied the big chair was speaking to him quietly. The crimson knight was looking down at Alex from where he still stood, his hand still resting on the railing. It looked as if he hadn't moved an inch throughout all of this. "We're.... We're very sorry for all this folks! You'll be given a refund of today's admission fee, as the arena will be closed until we can get to the bottom of what happened here!" The people in the stands were starting to file out through the exits, but Aescila didn't bother with walking out. Spreading her wings, she gripped Angelle and simply flung herself upwards with a great beat of her black wings, giving one last look at Alex before flying over the lip of the arena's walls and then dropping out of sight with their daughter.

"You'll have to stay here, please don't try to leave!" A woman's voice, one she recognized as one of those that had been situated around the arena, spoke at Alex's side. The mage looked extremely nervous to be speaking to Alex, and watched her carefully from just out of arm's reach as the other wizards rather solidly declared that Arclan was dead. His body was lifted by a summoned elemental, still clad in his mangled fey armor, and one gingerly lifted his greatsword and carried it alongside his body as it was taken away.

 

[Termite]

Re: Vengeance or Reconciliation? (Termite)

Having listened to her sword's response Alex closed her eyes and frowned. Celestial Nail had confirmed what she had guessed, and that just left a bad taste in her mouth. That leaves us with three possibilities. One, someone wanted Arclan dead. Two, someone wanted me to kill. Three, someone wanted both. Neither one sounded all that great, and the fact that some being out there could accurately target that single spell and destroy it without touching anything else meant they were dealing with someone on Aes's level of strength. The fact that Arclan's soul simply vanished the moment it touched her didn't help in the least. If anyone else detected that they would think her angel had eaten the knight's spirit, and being what she was they would guess she was the one who destroyed the arena enchantment.

Someone was trying to frame Aescila. She was sure of it, just as she was sure the angel had nothing to do with this. Alex knew her lover inside and out. There were no secrets between them, not when they so frequently joined their souls to each other. Aes just wasn't the kind of person to use subtlety and subterfuge to arrange someone's death, and if that weren't enough the fact that she was just as surprised as everyone else over Arclan's death sealed her innocence. The only question now was who would dare try such a thing...

A few moments after coming to that realization Alex noticed the stern look in her lover's eye. Dina's Insight was starting to act once again, and for once Alex was actually glad for it. The fact that it was triggering so recently after the tragedy of Arclan's death had the dragon hoping that it would give Aes some much needed insight into what was going on, and hopefully it would let her stay here. Her strength would be needed, especially if Angelle was shuddering after seeing her first death.

With everyone leaving, Aes and Angelle taking to the skies to avoid the congestion of the crowd, Alex simply stood where she was and started brooding. The recent events were playing through her mind, and it caught enough of her attention that she didn't immediately notice the mage coming to speak with her. The knight rose an eyebrow at the woman's request, and she slowly turned to address it. "I understand. You have an investigation to make, correct?" She reached into her armor and pulled out a cloth, and after a few wipes she cleaned her blade of the blood that tried to stain it. A moment later the sheath was removed from her back, and she sheathed her sword before presenting it to the mage. "You may carry him while I am here..." Her shield soon followed. "As well as this if it will put you at ease. But once it comes time to leave I expect both to be returned." Now that she was unarmed she folded her arms across her chest. "You probably have some questions for me, correct? Hurry up and ask them." If the woman asked why Alex was in a hurry she would quickly have an answer. "I just eviscerated a man in front of my daughter's eyes. I need to make sure she's okay."

 

[Tassadar]

Re: Vengeance or Reconciliation? (Termite)

Spoiler

Alexandra Alistar: HP = 62/75, PP = 60, EP = 1/85, Status = Lightly Injured, Low on Energy

The mage nodded hesitantly at Alex's question, and then hesitantly received her sword and shield as the dragoness offered each in turn. She eyed the shield for a moment before looking back to the sword with a frown, likely noticing the same thing that Alex had, that only the magic over her deadly sword had been disabled. That Alex has so easily handed her weapon and shield over when both were worth a small fortune seemed to bother the young woman slightly, as she frowned for a moment longer and said; “You’ll get these back when this is all cleared up, if not sooner. We all saw the enchantment break, so I’m sure you won’t be charged with anything, but we’ll need to analyze these. You seem to understand well enough.” Alex’s mention of her daughter drew a sympathetic look, and she nodded, “We’ll have this done as quickly as we can, you have my word.”

She paused, and another mage beckoned her over. “Just wait here a minute please, I’ll be right back.” She walked over to engage in a hurried but whispered conversation with another, and soon they were joined by a third. They spoke for well over a minute, and in that time one of the others took Alex’s sword and shield to be examined by a group of others. She saw them gesturing in the vague direction in which Aescila had been seated, and she heard the words “soul” and “angel” more than once. After a moment the mage who’d spoken to her initially came back looking frustrated, “I’m sorry, but we’ll have to keep your weapon and shield for the moment, and we have to ask that you not leave the city until the investigation is complete. You are, however, free to leave the arena, if you’ll just leave your name and a way for us to contact you.”

Alex would see that the arena had emptied completely by then, save for a sparse handful. The guards were still present, as were the arena magi and the rest of the staff, but the guests had all gone…. All save one. The crimson knight was still standing in the major box, his helmeted head staring straight at her. Once she’d given her information, however much she wished, the woman would nod and say; “We’ll try to resolve this as quickly as we can… For now, you’re free to go.”

 

[Termite]

Re: Vengeance or Reconciliation? (Termite)

Watching the rather animated conversation between all the arena mages was something worth watching, though the constant vigil of the crimson knight was starting to put Alex on edge. Whoever that man was up there was starting to take far too great an interest in her, and her tail started flicking back and forth in irritation as she felt his gaze continually boring into her. She was just about ready to return that stare until she noticed her weapons being handed off. That gathered her full attention, especially since she specifically said she wanted them returned before she left, and if they were carting them off for gods knew whatever tests they were wanting to run then there was no telling when she would get them back. Too trusting...

But there was something else that started catching her attention. She caught small snippets of conversation here and there, and when someone pointed over toward Aescila's seat she very plainly heard 'soul' and 'angel' being muttered between them all. It looked like they were rushing to a conclusion, the same conclusion Alex feared everyone would make concerning her Mate. A part of her wanted to grab their attention, to slap them all for speaking in hushed circles and falling for such an obvious attempt at framing the angel. But she also had a feeling that was a useless battle. If the gate guards were any sign the mages here were probably already wondering what kind of depravities the fallen angel was planning for them all, and they would most likely start planning accordingly. And those plans would mean keeping Alex at bay. If that happened there wasn't going to be much she could do to help Aes, and she would be damned if she let anyone stop her.

A few moments later the spokeswoman for the mages returned and confirmed Alex's thoughts on her weapons. But she wasn't being forced to stay within the arena as the investigation continued. While she may not have her gear with her she was still being given the freedom to do as she pleased, and though they restricted her movements to anywhere within the city limits Alex had no intention of leaving. Someone in Therion was going to a lot of trouble to meddle in her affairs, and no one meddled in the affairs of dragons...

"Alexandra Alistar. I'm currently staying at The Fool and the Pipe for the evening, but following that I'll most likely be accepting Sir Gregor Andrast's hospitality. I have my own investigation I'll be needing to run since this also involves the Fairie Courts." She gave no mention of staying with Aescila or her connection to the angel, and she felt it wasn't needed. They would most likely learn of the truth soon enough if they already didn't know. They may even be attempting to find a way to track Aes, but with her gear being held hostage she didn't have much choice in deceiving the investigation. She just didn't need to fully cooperate.

With her piece said she nearly started leaving the arena proper, but she stopped a moment before the woman had turned away. "One question. Who is that knight up in the nobles' box that keeps staring at me?" It was one of the things that was starting to bother her, and she wanted to at least know the man's name before leaving. And leave she did. Through the competitor's entrance. She left her things back in the waiting area, and she wanted to reclaim them. And she also needed to locate Ria. There were a couple of questions she had for the oni, but those would have to wait for a bit. She was spiritually exhausted, and she would need at least some strength for what she was going to need to do in the next couple of hours.

 

[Tassadar]

Re: Vengeance or Reconciliation? (Termite)

Spoiler

Alexandra Alistar: HP = 75, PP = 60, EP = 85, Status = Fine

(I'm pretty sure it was the Fool and the Pipe )

The magus nodded at Alex's prompt and honest answer to her questions, making no mention of her relationship to Aes despite the obvious implications that the two knew one another from the banter she'd had with her opponents. "We'll try to contact you at the Fool if we need something from you tonight, or at Sir Andrast's if it takes longer than that. Thank you very much for your cooperation," she replied softly, and had already half turned away by the time Alex asked about the identity of the red knight who'd been watching her so intently. The woman looked up at him, and Alex noticed a slight shiver run through her before she replied; "That's Ixalor, the personal bodyguard of Sir Denshig, and the arena's current champion. Sir Denshig is the current owner and operator of the arena, so it's him you'll be talking to about all this when it gets sorted out, but if Ixalor's been staring at you.... He looks for opponents that he considers worthy, and if someone catches his eye he challenges them. Nobody's ever even come close to beating him, and as far as I know he's never been seen without that armor on in public." She delivered her explanation in hushed tones, as if worried that the armored man would take offense to overhearing her, but he showed no reaction.

Unless Alex had any further questions for the woman, she'd be allowed to leave the arena through the competitors exit freely, and would find that it had mostly cleared out save for a handful of guards, the woman who'd been sitting at the counter, Sir Andrast, Dingroria, and one other that Alex didn't immediately recognize. The oni, the knight, and the stranger were all among the healers, though they'd all had their wounds healed already and didn't seem to be waiting for anything other than the stranger to wake up. Alex's things were right where she'd left them, but before she could reach them Ria rose to a crouching walk and fell into step beside her. "What happened up there? I heard you killed somebody!" she whispered urgently, and if Alex shot a glance at Sir Andrast's way she'd see that the knight had a questioning look on his face. Neither the oni nor the knight nor the guards would inhibit Alex from leaving the arena entirely, but at least those two obviously wanted to speak to her before she did so.

 

[Termite]

Re: Vengeance or Reconciliation? (Termite)

The shiver was the first thing the dragon noticed once the mage spotted the knight, and as Alex listened to the woman she started building a picture of the man in her mind. Ixalor was someone who sought challenge. He tested himself against any manner of being that caught his eye, and his strength was enough to defeat all those that have faced him. But the fear within the woman spoke of something darker. Sinister. Maybe even brutal considering how the man loved to fight. Considering her family Alex immediately made the comparison to her own brother, and it didn't take much to picture Ixalor as someone who fought not for the joy of the challenge but the sense of satisfaction at crushing someone underneath his foot. Those thoughts were interrupted once the mage finished, and after a word of thanks Alex let the woman hurry off before taking a cleansing breath. She let herself relax a bit before turning to take another look at the crimson knight, and after only a few seconds of study she simply turned and went about her business.

Heading back inside Alex soon found her items and Ria waiting for her, and much to her pleasant surprise Sir Gregor was waiting as well. This would make things a bit easier. But before that she would need to deal with Ria's question. "That I did..." At that she sat down and motioned for her previous opponents to join her. "Arclan Clay was not what he seemed. He was the First Knight of Winter. He revealed himself to me and issued a geas. He was going to use his full power against me, so I promised to meet his with my own. We fought, I managed to catch him underfoot, and after a brief struggle I struck. But just before my talons hit someone interfered. They dispelled the arena enchantments, and the full force of my claws tore him apart like nothing more than a wounded animal. The mages tried to revive him, but his soul was torn from his body and sent...elsewhere..."

For stopped for a couple seconds to let that all settle. "I believe someone's targeting me with this, so I'm going to need to run my own investigation. And since I am a Knight of Summer this also involves the Faerie Courts. This is going to be a gigantic mess, and I'm going to need to call in some support. Sir Gregor." She turned to the knight. "I have a bed for the night, but I believe I may be staying within Therion longer than expected. If your offer is still open I'd like to accept it. And if you know any quiet place nearby that won't attract too much attention. I'll need to perform a summon, and I don't feel like sending everyone into a panic."

She listened, and once she had an answer to both requests she then turned toward the demon. But Alex didn't speak immediately. She appeared to be considering something, her head even tilting a bit, but soon enough she came to a decision. "Ria, you're not involved in any of this mess, but I would like to speak with you about that dragon you fought." Just like she did with the arena mages Alex neglected a few facts, mainly how Ria was acting as a thief. Gregor more than likely wouldn't appreciate that little tidbit. "I believe I know who you faced. Tell me, does this look familiar?"

Though her spiritual exhaustion was still weighing her down she still felt some of her strength returning. She doubted she could do anything nearly as drastic as she managed earlier, but a small little trick should work. And a little trick it was. Her tail started swaying back and forth behind her, her body itself acting as a small shield, and every time it swung to either her left or her right it seemed to grow. It was small increments, nothing incredibly profound, but little by little it still changed. Once it reached a certain width it started morphing a little more, and after a few more seconds that small transformation was complete. A moment later it was brought around for Dingroria to examine, though Alex herself refused to give it a glance. She didn't need to. She was intimately familiar with her new appendage, and though her eyes were strictly turned in the other direction she knew every single ridge and scale that stuck out in a dangerous barb that could rip through flesh as easily as any claw. It was something she felt long ago, and even now she would rather not be reminded of her torture as a child, but beyond that she needed to know. She needed to confirm the suspicions she held, the thoughts that had been nagging at her every since Ria described the creature that had already beaten her twice, and all she needed now was this last bit of confirmation.

And if she received it she would only have one thought on her mind. I've finally found you, brother...

 

[Tassadar]

Re: Vengeance or Reconciliation? (Termite)

Spoiler

Alexandra Alistar: HP = 75, PP = 60, EP = 85, Status = Fine

The further that Alex got in her explanation about what had transpired in the arena, the further the oni's face fell. "Cripes.... You don't screw around when you get into trouble, do yah Alex?" she said with false lightness in Alex's brief pause, drumming her massive fingers on the table. Sir Andrast had come over to join them at her behest and had listened impassively up until that point, but now he chimed in; "Dark business this is.... Particularly if it was Arclan Clay that you killed. I knew him.... Well, about as well as anyone can know a mortal man who goes to the Heart of Winter Coldest and comes back alive. He used to be an honorable man, a good man, but after he came back from that.... I wouldn't go so far as to call him a monster, but he was as close to that as anyone I've known. I couldn't even guess at who'd want to kill him or why they'd try to frame you for it though! Drawing the direct ire of a faerie queen by killing one of her favorite servants.... That sounds more like a suicide attempt than a calculated plot, particularly if it's the Winter queen's servant!"

The knight fell silent, and Dingroria looked about to ask a question, as she'd appeared somewhat lost in more than a few places, but shut her mouth when Alex began to talk again. Both of them quirked an eyebrow in an almost comically similar manner when Alex mentioned that she was Knight of Summer herself, but then both nodded solemnly in agreement when she said that the situation was likely to devolve into a huge mess. "I'd not turn away anyone in need. If you need a bed for the knight, my estate is open to you and any that you would bring with you!" Sir Andrast stated calmly, and though he seemed somewhat reluctant given Alex's wording of her request for a quiet spot, he added; "I have a place on the grounds that should do, so long as you aren't bringing in anything too dramatic. I have a villa just to the Northwest of the city that would give you however much quiet you need."

Ria, despite her obviously bubbling questions, remained quiet while Alex seemed to be in consideration, and when Alex finally spoke the oni gave a quick nod and said; "What do you want to know?" When she directed the oni to look at her transformed tail, she nodded immediately and said; "Oh yeah, definitely familiar! I had one just like it smacking me in the gut just a few days ago!" She glanced at Alex and her smile dropped as she noted that the one who possessed the appendage was refusing to look at it, something that Sir Andrast had noticed as well judging by the slight wince in his expression. "You had a run in with Mr. Sunshine too then?" the oni guessed haphazardly as she adopted a sympathetic look of her own, "I'm guessing that he wasn't quite as nice to you as he was to me by that look. Why do you ask though? Does this have some bearing on what happened today? Do you think he's involved somehow?" Sir Andrast looked slightly curious at the oni's question, and he too looked to Alex for answers.

 

[Termite]

Re: Vengeance or Reconciliation? (Termite)

Alex leaned forward a bit to speak in a more hushed tone that hopefully wouldn't be overheard by the nearby guards. "Part of the problem lies with Arclan's soul. I've never showed the skill needed to break an enchantment and sever the ties that bind a spirit to a body. Nearly anyone could see that. But there was another in the audience that could, and when his soul was thrown it went straight for the fallen angel in the stands. For all intents and purposes it looked like she simply ate him, and that's what the arena mages were thinking before I left. But I know that woman. She's my Mate. We've embraced on the deepest level you can imagine, and I am certain that she would never try to rip a man's soul from his dying body just to eat it." It was more than just certainty. It was truth. Aescila had been forced to consume Dina's soul, and that nearly destroyed her a couple years back. She would never simply turn around and swallow another soul, not after what she'd been through. "But no one else knows her as I do, and it's quite simple to make a fallen look like a monster."

When it came to Gregor's answer on where she could stay and find some peace Alex stopped for another moment. "Truthfully I'm out of my element. Though I'm a knight I'm only a knight-errant, so my knowledge of fey politics is woefully lacking. That is why I'm going to summon a Lady. I'm not worried about extravagance or opulence, so anywhere quiet would be fine. I was hoping there would be a little alcove or something nearby that was away from prying eyes." A gesture was made over to the other occupants of the waiting room. "But if there's nothing close then I'll simply wait. I'll probably head to the Fool and the Pipe after this and see if I can find my family there. And since I've already offered drinks to Miss Ria I'm thinking the three of us should head there as well. I would be a poor host if I didn't offer the same for you, Sir Gregor."

Once Ria had answered Alex's question the transformed tail shook out a bit and reverted to its natural shape. "You could say we've met. He's my brother." As she let that all soak in Alex leaned back with a rather rueful expression on her face, one that only got worse once the oni asked her question. "I'm fairly certain he isn't. When we were children he was a brute and a bully, but he was never all that clever. Something as convoluted as this would be beyond him. Then again we haven't seen each other in years. He may have taken a drastic change." But that was unlikely. She really couldn't see him as much more than that angry wall of muscle. "I do have business with him, but that will probably need to wait until I've dealt with Arclan's death."

 

[Tassadar]

Re: Vengeance or Reconciliation? (Termite)

Spoiler

Alexandra Alistar: HP = 75, PP = 60, EP = 85, Status = Fine

Ria pursed her lips at Alex's explanation about how Arclan's soul had sped over to Aes, but Sir Andrast scowled darkly and said; "The fallen ARE monsters, or at least every one that I've ever heard of has been. They're directly or indirectly responsible for some of the most horrific tragedies in history, even if those seem insignificant after the invasion. I'm willing to give her the benefit of the doubt given that you trust her, and I doubt that even one of them could hold a handle on you for this long if they truly were evil, but... Are you really sure that it wasn't her? What if her intentions weren't malicious, or even selfish?" He paused for a moment, giving Ria an opportunity to scoff and incredulously say; "What? How does that even make sense!? She was an easy scapegoat, and someone's trying to make it look like she did it to cover their own tracks. That's what makes the most sense to me, at least." Sir Andrast, unperturbed by Ria's disbelief in his theory, continued; "It's certainly possible.... But one should never latch onto a theory in this sort of thing, at least that's what an old friend of mine used to say. This fallen angel was your mate, yes? What if she did it to protect you?"

Ria only looked more incredulous, but the old human continued on anyway; "What if she thought that Arclan was going to win, and that he might harm you in the process? He's not the type to pull his punches, not even in the arena, and those enchantments can only hold back so much. People have died in that arena before. If she thought you, her Mate, were going to be hurt, is it possible that she'd do something to keep that from happening? She'd know that even in death he'd still be a threat too, particularly if he got back to his queen, and she could have easily taken care of that at the same time. I don't know the woman myself, and I understand if it's not something that you'd want to consider, but is it at least possible?" He looked to Alex for answers, and Ria didn't seem so entirely incredulous now, or at least didn't make any argument against what he'd suggested.

On the topic of what Alex wanted to do, Sir Gregor replied; "The place that I have in mind should suit you just fine then.... But if you'd prefer something immediate, we could just pick out a back alley or go to a park. We could probably even do it in the healer's quarters if we wait for it to clear out, but there would be guards around if you did that." Ria cracked a grin and allowed an eyebrow to rise at Alex, "You're still up for that after this? Heh, well, I'm certainly still interested... And I'll do whatever I can to help get you and yours out of this little pickle. I'm not exactly confident that I'll be much use, but I'd be happy to break stuff for yah! I might know someone that you could talk to about making it go away on the Therion side of things, but given how public it was that might get pretty costly." Sir Andrast rose a disapproving eyebrow at that, "I'll go with you gladly, though I won't begrudge paying for myself if it's all the same. I've developed some expensive tastes in alcohol over the years, and I'd hate to impose."

Alex's announcement drew a bit of surprise from her companions, though a great deal more came from Dingroria, who said; "Really? Heh, small world then I guess!" That she didn't think that her brother had anything to do with her current situation drew a look of relief from both of them, however, and Sir Andrast chimed in; "That's a bit of a relief I'll admit! This business is complicated enough without involving another party into it, particularly a dragon. After facing you in the arena, I can admit freely that I'd be worried if I had to face one of your siblings in a real fight!" Ria then said; "Well, if you've got business with him later, I can tell you where he is! I can even show you, then maybe you can talk him into leaving me alone. He's in some tiny little village to the Northeast. Ochre, I think it was called."

 

[Termite]

Re: Vengeance or Reconciliation? (Termite)

"Hm... She would. If Arclan threatened either myself or our daughter she would do everything in her power to keep her family from being harmed." That was the truth, and she wasn't going to deny it. "But she was just as surprised as I was when I struck. She was just as surprised as everyone else in the arena. I saw that shock when Arclan's soul sped toward her. And the enchantment was broken the precise moment that my claws reached his armor. That was a sign of victory, not defeat. The fight would have ended right then even with the arena magics in place. She had no need to protect me." Though that was a point in Alex's favor it also sounded a lot like she was boasting...

"A park? That actually sounds like it would be more appropriate. It might even help me reach her by contacting her through nature itself. That's a wonderful idea, Sir Gregor." It may end up doing absolutely nothing as well, but hey, symbolism. It's always important, especially when one is concentrating. It definitely wouldn't hurt. And hearing that Ria would help bolster her confidence, though the kind of help she was offering wasn't exactly the kind one would ask for. "Let's see how things run their course before we try anything less...noble... And if you wish to pay your own way then I won't take offense, but at least let me buy you one drink, first."

While everyone was relieved that Akorvick was not involved, Alex most of all, what followed was a complete shock. She never would have thought he'd be sitting out in the middle of nowhere, but suddenly learning that he's in the very same village as Roko had Alex rushing through a number of emotions that left her slightly confused and worried. And most of it centered around one question. What would Akorvick do if he learned about Roko? The possibilities that answered her had Alex cursing to herself, and it showed easily on her face. Good gods, was nothing going to be easy on this trip? "I'll definitely need to speak with him..." But for reasons completely unrelated to what Ria wanted. And judging by what she heard earlier before her first match Alex doubted she'd be willing to help the demon steal anything.

But the two of them could talk about this some other time. Right now Alex wanted to contact the help she knew she would need in dealing with Winter. She said as much, and as she followed Andrast she started focusing her strength on the rings she wore. It would be a somewhat slow process given her exhaustion, but having them both energized proved to be quite the godsend, especially during the battle with Arclan. But once they arrived that would be abandoned, and after exploring the park for a bit and finding a secluded little spot where she wouldn't be disturbed she started preparing for what came next. "I am Alexandra Alistar, Knight-Errant to Summer..." She spoke directly to the signet she wore, her own flame flaring and reaching out to the warmth of Summer itself. "I seek guidance and counsel from a Lady of the Court... Albatross, Albatross, Albatross... I seek thee..."

 

[Tassadar]

Re: Vengeance or Reconciliation? (Termite)

Spoiler

Alexandra Alistar: HP = 75, PP = 60, EP = 85, Status = Fine

Frowning and scratching his chin, Sir Andrast replied; "I don't know, I wasn't out there to see it.... And what you say certainly makes sense in context. It doesn't hurt to think about it though, whoever they appoint for the trial will be using any line of logic they can get a hold of, and it doesn't hurt to try and figure out how you'll defend against them. Either way, knight or no your word won't go far in the courts, not when you're so close to the accused." Ria blanched at the mention of courts, and said; "Much as I hate to admit it.... He's not wrong. I wouldn't go so far as to call the justice system of Therion unfair - and I've been a victim of it before! But they can lose a lot of context, and they don't take well to testimony from people with relation to whoever gets accused of a crime. We'll need hard evidence of some sort to get your Mate cleared." Sir Andrast frowned a bit more darkly at Ria's admission, but still opted to ignore the mention of her less than upstanding history despite that the oni was so open about it.

"The park it is then! I don't know much about summoning, but that sounds like the best place to go for it," Sir Andrast replied when Alex opted for the park rather than going all the way out to his estate. Dingroria, when Alex replied to her offer, smirked knowingly at Alex and said; "Fair enough, but keep it in mind! It might be a lot easier for you two if you don't have to worry about the mortal authorities when you're neck deep in faerie politics too. I'm not exactly an expert on the latter, admittedly, but it sounds like it could get pretty rough." Sir Andrast smiled and nodded when Alex insisted on buying him at least one drink, inciting Ria to roll her eyes at him and quip; "A real gentlemen would offer to pay for the ladies drinks~" The knight immediately shot back sardonically; "I'm sure that I will at one point or another.... For Lady Alex. I'm afraid that I learned not to put bar floozies on my tab in my youth though!" The oni merely chuckled at the insult, allowing it to pass without further comment.

The two rose with Alex, but before they departed Sir Andrast turned to Dingroria and held out a hand, "I'm afraid that we haven't actually had the pleasure of an introduction yet! I am Sir Gregor Andrast! And you are?" Ria, smiling, reached out and gripped the knight's hand firmly as she said; "Not until now! Dingroria, warclub for higher and general pain in the ass, at your service!" With that out of the way, Sir Andrast led the way out of the arena, and took them to a small section of carefully maintained woodland located in the heart of Therion.

It was a far cry from a real forest. The park had seen a good deal of combat during the invasion, and the city hadn't yet bothered fully restore it, leaving the scars evident even if the grass had grown over them and the rubble had been removed. Even so, Alex could feel the life inherent in that place, trying to grow amidst the choking presence of so much civilization. Finding a secluded place in the nearly deserted park was easy enough, and once she and her two allies had entered into a grove that had a small pool in the center, Alex was ready to perform her summoning. Speaking into her ring and pushing some of her power into it, Alex felt the thrum of magic reaching out for its target, and only a few heartbeats later that call was answered. There came a soft golden sparkling in a vaguely humanoid shape directly in front of the armored dragoness, as if glowing golden snow were caught in a whirlwind, and then the figure of Lady Albatross appeared in front of her.

The faerie was clad only in a bikini of a wide assortment of colors and a big straw hat, and was shivering immediately upon fully materializing. "Oh, you devilish little dragon you, calling me to such a chilly place when I was out sunbathing! I ought to take the paddle to that bottom of yours for this!" she said, but contrary to her words and her shivering, the sidhe's voice was entirely jovial and showed no hints of real discomfort. Alex had been around enough of the fae to know that temperatures really meant very little to them unless exposed to the extremes. Lady Albatross likely could have stood in the heart of a snowstorm dressed just as she was and been as comfortable as a normal human on a pleasant spring evening. Folding her arms beneath her breasts, the faerie glanced past Alex at her two companions and smiled mischievously. "Hello. New friends?" Ria and Sir Andrast waved and nodded to the half-naked faerie in greeting, apparently not finding this appearance odd at all and also recognizing that the question had been asked more at Alex than at either of them. Once she'd been answered, Lady Albatross turned her attention back to her summoner and said; "So, what warrants the call deary? Have you been missing me as badly as I've missed you?"

 

[Termite]

Re: Vengeance or Reconciliation? (Termite)

They had a point. Such a public death within one of the city's landmarks would immediately lead to some sort of trial, and having heard what they said of Therion's justice system it most likely meant that Alex wouldn't be able to testify toward her love's character or her actions. The fact that they were Mates practically excluded her as an unbiased witness. Accusations would fly at her angel, and unless Alex had some hard evidence then there would be nothing she could do. That thought had the knight seriously considering Ria's offer to deal with this problem through more subtle means, but even then she still wasn't quite ready to resort to bribes or whatever other underhanded tactics were to be made.

With a nod and a silent chuckle at her new friends' banter the trio left to find Alex her secluded spot, and find it they did. Though the park had obviously seen better days, signs of battle still ran through the landscape even two years following the Arrival, nature itself wasn't going to simply sit back and wait to be pampered. Grass had grown were land had once been torn. Saplings sprung even among the decaying trunks of their elders. Even after so much destruction and the rush of people surrounding this little plot of land life itself was determined to move forward and flourish wherever it could.

That was probably why Alex was able to find that little pond hidden within the small glade. Though it too was scarred the recovery of the land helped keep it virtually unoccupied even with the throng of civilization no more than a few yards away. The dragon would not be disturbed, and Lady Albatross was free to make her appearance however she saw fit. And...

Well, she sure knew how to make an entrance... It wasn't everyday one found one of the respected sidhe sporting a rather vivid bikini. And just like any of the other faeries it made for quite the sight. Albatross was probably making a very grand impression on Alex's allies, and the knight could practically picture Ria giving the lady a very thorough inspection. "Sunbathing?" Alex found it odd that Albatross would do such a thing, especially considering how flawless the woman looked, and a moment later she actually reached out and pulled the strap of the faerie's thong down a bit. All the sidhe she'd seen had held such a variety of skin tones, and each one was a shining example of beauty and perfection. But could they tan? Alex just had to check...

"Indeed, my lady. The knight is Sir Gregor Andrast, and the tall one is Dingroria, club for hire and self-proclaimed pain in the ass." Alex motioned to each of her allies in turn, and then she did the same for them by waving grandly toward the woman in the bikini. "I present the Lady Albatross, Emissary of Summer." Once the introductions were complete Alex turned back toward Lady Albatross and considered how she would answer the question that followed. A sigh followed, a bit of her wishing it was something as benign as wishing to see a friendly face. But the truth was far harsher, and she figured she might as well just throw it out there. "I killed Arclan Clay." There was little doubt that Albatross didn't know who that was, but if she didn't Alex would explain. Following that she would run through the entire chain of events as they happened the moment she stepped down into the waiting room, and she would end by stating her belief that Aes was being framed. "I'm not sure what to expect once Mab hears of this, but I'm fairly certain it won't be pleasant. I need someone familiar with the Courts, and who better than you?"

 

[Tassadar]

Re: Vengeance or Reconciliation? (Termite)

Spoiler

Alexandra Alistar: HP = 75, PP = 60, EP = 85, Status = Fine

Flicking down one of the strings on the sidhe's bikini drew a soft giggle from her, and she shifted her stance to pull it down a little farther, such that it was all the way down to the middle of her thigh. That didn't leave anything quite fully exposed, but it left a lot of skin showing and revealed the soft mound just over her sex, which was hairless and showed definitively that faeries could, in fact, tan. "Oh you naughty thing you! I knew you missed me~" the faerie teased in a tone of mock reproach.

Following Alex's introduction, the faerie gave an at-the-waist bow that displayed her plentiful cleavage, something that Ria certainly seemed to appreciate, and said; "A pleasure to meet you both!" Lady Albatross turned back to Alex after that with her customary smile, but when the dragoness made her blunt announcement the woman's expression soured instantly, and when Alex finished her explanation she let out a long, deep sigh.

"You don't half-ass anything, do you? Not even getting into trouble!" she said, "Mab.... Well, we can hope that she sees through the deception all on her own, which is.... Possible. If she doesn't, though.... Well, if she doesn't, than the authorities of Therion will be the very least of your worries!" She paused and glanced at her companions, who had lost much of their mirth as well, and said; "I doubt it'll make any difference to either of you, but Mab won't precisely care that you weren't directly involved if she comes for Alex here. I'd be as careful as possible were I you."

The two glanced at one another, but then Ria said; "I'm not backing out just because it's dangerous!" Andrast nodded agreeably and added; "The requirements of my honor supersedes any danger involved." Accepting those two answers, Lady Albatross turned to Alex and said; "Well... You're in trouble, there's no doubt about that. If Arclan's dead, then Winter has lost the champion that won it the last three grand melees. They're more for fun than anything else, but that's a lot of prestige that they've just lost, meaning it's probably not just Mab you'll have to worry about. That you're an honorary knight of Summer only makes it more complicated. If Titania tries to intercede on your behalf with Mab.... It could very well end up starting another war. I hate to say it, but you'll essentially be on your own, barring what little help I can give.

"Now, as for who might have done this and tried to frame you for it.... I can't say that I know Winter all that well, but there are plenty of lords and ladies that probably wouldn't mind seeing Arclan taken down a peg after he beat out their own champions. I doubt anyone from Summer or Spring would be behind this, but Autumn... Well, lets just say that little Acrasia isn't exactly the most rational of us, and her underlings follow her example! I can't exactly hand you a list, but if it was someone in the courts, it was probably Winter, and they've probably got influence in the city somewhere."

 

[Termite]

Re: Vengeance or Reconciliation? (Termite)

"Huh... Tan lines... Never would have guessed..." Of course Lady Albatross had to take it one step further, and that caused the dragon to actually smirk in return.

But as the Lady continued there was a complete and utter lack of any to be had by anyone present. And just as she thought the real threat came not from Therion but from the possible retribution from Winter itself. And to make matters worse Alex's honorary title was actually working against her. Titania couldn't step forward without the threat of starting another war, and aside from Lady Albatross herself Alex could count on no further help from her allies. She was truly on her own.

But she truly wasn't, at least not yet. When Albatross explained how they would be targeted as well simply for being seen around the knight both Ria and Sir Gregor agreed to stand at Alex's side, and she gave them a respectful nod that was accompanied by a look of relief that she would have at least a couple of allies at hand. And Albatross was here. Though Alex had summoned her the knight wasn't forcing her to stay and help her in the slightest. She was free to leave at anytime now that the small request had been fulfilled, and though she technically didn't owe the fairie any formal debt as part of her title Alex was determined to pay the woman back.

"So right now Winter's stance on this whole situation is unknown. I think it would be best to act as if Mab was ready to accuse Aes and I for Arclan's death, and it would be best to find a way to prove our innocence in her eyes. Finding that proof should be more than enough to satisfy the Therion authorities if they decide to pursue us." Alex crossed her arms as she thought out loud, and one finger started tapping against her upper arm as she continued. "Part of that problem lies in what happened to Arclan's soul. I lost track of it once it reached Aes, and right now its location is unknown. I think that should be our goal. I doubt Aes would have missed him heading right for her, and since he disappeared when he struck her aura she should be able to track where he went afterwards. If we can locate him then we should be able to ask him what happened, and simply having him in our possession would prove that Aes didn't consume him as so many have thought.

"So the first step is finding Aescila. That shouldn't be a problem, though I don't know exactly what happened when she left. She did have that look in her eye that said her Insight was acting up once again..." If she got called away for some completely unrelated matter then this would throw an enormous wrench into the investigation. "But we won't know unless we actually look." And the one place to start looking was the Fool and the Pipe. Even if Aes wasn't there Angelle should be since she wasn't directly involved in any of this, and knowing Aes she would have left a message with their daughter. And if nothing else was accomplished Alex would at least know her daughter was safe there.

"Lady Albatross... Since this is going to most likely turn into a nightmare I won't ask you to stay. You've given me enough help with your knowledge, and once this is over I'll gladly pay my debt." Alex was giving the noblewoman a way to leave before she was also caught in the shit storm that was becoming the dragon's life, but even though she didn't say it or show it in any way Alex was secretly hoping that Albatross would stay. There was no telling what lay ahead, and having someone as powerful as a Lady at your side could never be a bad thing.

 

[Tassadar]

Re: Vengeance or Reconciliation? (Termite)

Spoiler

Alexandra Alistar: HP = 75, PP = 60, EP = 85, Status = Fine

""Act as if Mab might be angry" sounds a little bit too optimistic to me, but you've got the gist of Winter's stance on it down pat. And, while I'm not exactly well versed on mortal law, it's probably true that finding proof that will keep calm the Winter Queen is probably going to be enough to get them off your back too!" Lady Albatross stated firmly, before pursing her lips and listening with the others as Alex began to think aloud, and in so doing declared their next destination.

When Alex told the sidhe lady that her debt was paid, Lady Albatross gave a contemptible snort and said; "As if you could get rid of me that easily! I've put far too much work into you to let you go and get killed by Mab! Do you know how hard it is to get a pet dragon who comes attached with a pet angel!? Do you have any idea!? It's an absolute nightmare! Most definitely a seller's market!" She crossed her arms and pouted, "I'm with you until this is all sorted out, and that's the last I'll hear on the matter! Understand?"

With that seemingly rather definitively settled, Lady Albatross gave a quick wave of her hand, which caused a bright blue dress attached to a deep blue cape with alabaster stars. Her wicker hat suddenly became a wide brimmed, pointed wizard's hat in colors to match those of her cape, and a cane of polished black wood appeared in her hand, the head of which looked to be a single massive ruby sculpted to look like a skull. "To the tavern then! But if there are any girls there..... Ahhh, nevermind, lets just go!" she said brightly, and while Doringria was still silently giggling at the faerie's absurd outfit they set off towards the Fool and the Pipe.

They arrived to find the place much as it was when Alex had left it, if a little bit more crowded. When she walked in, the barkeep came out despite the crowd, an act that only made the gawking of everyone in the room worse even than it had been after Ria and Lady Albatross followed her in afterwards, and said; "Your friend said to find you upstairs... And told me to hold on to the spare key. Here you go!" He held out a key, and if she took it he promptly returned to his post at the bar.

 

[Termite]

Re: Vengeance or Reconciliation? (Termite)

"Pet?" While Alex would have taken offense from most anyone else at being called their pet she only looked mildly surprised at Lady Albatross. "Is that what you think of me?" She simply shook her head after that. Albatross had a rather active imagination at times, and this was just another in a long list of oddities Alex has listened to the faerie say. But it was still nice to hear that the noble was staying regardless of any danger the dragon was currently under. "As you wish."

Once it came time to leave Alex was privileged enough to witness Lady Albatross donning another of her slightly ridiculous, slightly gaudy outfits. And this time she put on her robe and wizard hat. Alex very nearly rolled her eyes at that, but once you've talked to the woman for long enough things like this really didn't surprise you. And considering Therion's propensity for mages that outfit seemed appropriate. Somewhat. But as they started leaving a thought crossed Alex's mind. "Lady Albatross, is there any sort of mark that can help us identify if anyone we meet is aligned with Winter? Something spiritual or physical that can be detected like my Signet Ring?"

When it came time to enter the tavern Alex simply strolled in. Now that it was later in the day the Fool and the Pipe was looking far more lively, but then again everything started to come to a slow halt. Apparently the patrons couldn't resist gawking at the dragoness, and the addition of a crimson giant and a gaudy faerie only made it that much worse. And then the barkeep came around. That in itself seemed to be something even more spectacular to everyone involved, and the hush that fell over the crowd was a bit unsettling. But Alex didn't let that bother her, and hearing that her 'friend' was already upstairs helped her focus. She took the spare key, offered her thanks, and immediately started heading to her room.

 

[Tassadar]

Re: Vengeance or Reconciliation? (Termite)

Spoiler

Alexandra Alistar: HP = 75, PP = 60, EP = 85, Status = Fine

Lady Albatross gave Alex and annoyed look at her dislike of the faerie's title for her. "Oh relax dear, it's called a figure of speech! Honestly, I thought you dragons were supposed to be good at that sort of thing~" she said following an exasperated sigh, though the faerie seemed to hold no ill will towards Alex judging by her rapid return to a smile. Alex's question as they left received a nod from the faerie, who quickly explained; "Yes, though it's not a physical mark. Suffice to say, if any you encounter is a card-carrying member of Winter, you'd be able to tell just by being around them. It's not something that we're even able to hide unless we're masking the entirety of our nature. You'll probably recognize it anyway, but if we run into somebody I'll try to point it out."

At the tavern, Alex's entourage followed her up the stairs and down the hall, where they found the room that matched the key she'd been handed. The very moment that she went inside, Alex found Aescila pacing back and forth in the narrow space of the room agitatedly, and Angelle was visible curled up on the bed by herself, wrapped in her own sentient wings and a good number of blankets to boot. Judging by the girl's soft, slow breathing and her lack of reaction at Alex's entrance, she seemed to be asleep.

Her Mate ceased her pacing and turned to Alex as she opened the door, a thin smile appearing on her face at the sight of the dragoness, and she promptly strode forward and wrapped Alex in a tight hug. "Alex...." she said her name quietly, almost warningly, "I'm sorry I had to leave like that, but I know what it looked like and I knew what Angelle was going to be like! I saw it ahead of time.... Just like I saw this." As if on cue, Alex heard the tromping of booted feet coming up the stairs, and the sound of her companions shifting slightly in the hallway in reaction was joined a moment later by Ria calling out; "We've got company Alex!" All the noise caused Angelle to stir, and Alex spotted her daughter's reddened eyes peeking out from her fortress of covers.

Aes didn't seem particularly surprised by this, as she quickly stole a brief but deep kiss from Alex before stepping away with a sad smile on her face. "Don't worry Alex... Everything is going to be alright!" she said quietly, and a moment later the oni's loud footsteps could be heard backing away along with another pair, making room for two dark haired officious looking men to enter the room, one a magus in navy blue robes with the seal of Therion on his shoulder, and the other a man in the garb of an officer of the city guard. "Fallen One. You know why we're here," the guard began immediately, the expression on his weathered face both stern and fierce. Aes simply nodded to his question and slowly folded her arms over her chest. "Then you know that you will not be permitted to escape, and that we have come prepared to face on such as you," the other man said just as sternly, pushing his thick bushy eyebrows together in an almost comically dark scowl.

Again Aes simply nodded, and the guardsman harshly added; "Then you know that doing anything other than coming peacefully will lead to nothing but your own death." His companion cast an irritated glance at the man as three other mages filed into the room, all of them in uniform, before turning back to Aes and saying; "You will, of course, be given reasonable accommodations in the interim and an unbiased trial. Despite the reputation of your kind and the evidence gathered against you by those at the scene of the crime, you will be given the same rights as anyone else. We'd prefer to do this without having to endanger innocent bystanders, and coming quietly would go a long ways in helping to clear your name." Again, Aescila nodded, but this time she said; "I will not resist. There are too many here that might be harmed in the crossfire to risk it, and I have confidence that proof of my innocence will be unearthed quickly."

 

[Termite]

Re: Vengeance or Reconciliation? (Termite)

"Oh, well if you don't WANT a pet then that's perfectly fine..." At that Alex immediately turned and started walking off, and some time after that her question of identifying Winter's agents was answered. Albatross said it was a mark that couldn't be hidden, not unless someone wanted to hide the entirety of their nature. It could explain how Alex never really recognized Arclan for what he was, not until he started revealing himself, and even then all she felt was simple strength, nothing that screamed 'I am Winter!' But during the battle she did feel Winter's might, even if for only a moment. Perhaps now that she'd actually seen and felt it up close she would now recognize its scent. And if not there was always Lady Albatross to help. Either way this would help identify her suspects, and considering how she had none at the moment this would be a godsend.

When it came time to head into her room Alex wasn't quite sure what to expect, but finding Aes there put her at ease. Even if her Mate was wearing a small trail through the floor with her pacing it was still comforting to know that Aes was still safe. And Angelle, as well. The girl seemed to be bundled tightly around herself, one of the surest signs that right then she felt vulnerable, and even though her daughter was sleeping Alex wanted to walk over and hug her child close. She even started turning to do so, but Aes's reaction caught her first. When the angel's arms wrapped around her Alex couldn't help but return the hug. But before she could even reply to her love's explanation she heard the approach of heavy steps, and the call that followed confirmed what Alex was now dreading. "They're not giving us much time..."

Though the dragoness was ill-prepared for the kiss Aes stole she didn't balk in the slightest. Some part of her knew what was coming next, and even that brief bit of intimacy was welcomed wholeheartedly. What followed next was a moment of calm where Aes promised that everything would be alright. "I know. I'll make sure it will."

And that was it. Their time together came to an end, and two men entered, one a Therion guard and the other one of Therion's mages most likely summoned to deal with the 'Fallen One'. And they brought back up. And in the face of all this Aes simply stood silently and nodded, the men sent to capture her making their threats while she posed none. Alex could understand why Therion's forces were acting as such. One doesn't confront something as powerful as an angel without some form of protection. But despite their promises there was imply too much animosity being thrown her way.

"Hold." The command was given with such stern resolution that it practically demanded to be obeyed. Just as intended. If people were going to be angry and confrontational then she might as well deflect some of that. "I wish to speak with my Mate. In private."

The guardsman turned to her and flatly stated; "No." His companion gave him another annoyed glance, and in a more diplomatic tone said; "I am afraid that such is impossible, at least at this time. Allowing her even a moment of privacy now would be giving her a ticket to flee. I am sorry, but such cannot be permitted."

"As if she couldn't have fled already... I want to speak with her without worrying about people eavesdropping." And there was no hiding who she meant by that.

"She isn't leaving this room unattended," the wizard stated plainly, "and given your obvious association, you cannot be trusted alone with her either. If you are sharing information pertinent to the investigation, than it does you no harm to share it with us anyway."

That finger once again began tapping against her arm, Alex's expression anything but pleasant. "Very well. Aes, I lost track of Arclan once he met your aura. Where did he go after that?" Might as well give them something to consider once they no doubt started questioning her.

"He vanished," Aes replied simply, though after a skeptical look from the guards she added; "I lost track of his soul after that. I don't know where it went."

That little fact would make things much more difficult. Without being able to track his soul it was simply lost, maybe even passed on to whatever awaits the afterlife. Then again Lady Albatross did mention something about Arclan's soul returning to Mab. That could be even worse, and she looked both the mage and the guard straight in the eye. "You do know who Arclan Clay was, correct? Mab isn't going to like the fact that her personal blade was destroyed. She may come to the same conclusion you did. And if she does then she won't let Therion stop her. You should prepare to face her, because..." Pause for effect. "Winter is coming."

Spoiler

Thanks to Tass for the responses I was asking for.

 

[Tassadar]

Re: Vengeance or Reconciliation? (Termite)

Spoiler

Alexandra Alistar: HP = 75, PP = 60, EP = 85, Status = Fine

Alex got a rather firm pat on her backside from Lady Albatross for her teasing statement, one that her armor padded her from nicely but still had Ria giggling and Sir Andrast frowning and producing a tiny flush in response. The faerie pouted with narrowed eyes at Alex as she stepped up beside her, but a moment later her expression shifted back to a smirk, and as they got underway she said; "I'd be happy to put a leash on you any time deary~ But I'm afraid we have business to attend to first this day!"

~~~~~~~~~​

"He was a knight of Therion and a hero in the wars against Badaria. That's all that we need to know!" the guard captain stated hotly, his face twisting into a snarl in the process, and again the mage frowned warningly at him. There was a hint of remorse in the man's tone when he addressed Alex again however; "We know of his connection to the winter court of the fae, yes. The most likely outcome of the trial if your... Mate.... If she is found guilty, is that she'll be given to the Winter Queen. The other option would be putting her in the custody of the angels, but I suspect that such won't be on the table if the queen gets involved personally. Rest assured that she won't be harmed before then, however! We have countermeasures in place to keep our prisoners in protected from those that might harm or take them."

It was then that Aescila spoke up again, her tone flat and her words dire; "I doubt that all of Therion's forces together could stand against Mab, but my choice is made already. I surrender myself to you, in confidence that your words are true and that my Mate will provide evidence enough to clear my name." She slowly stepped forward and held out her hands, and a moment later the guard clapped irons on her wrists. The mage frowned, but followed up by removing a collar and placing it around Aescila's neck, and when that collar clicked closed Alex felt her lover's aura muted almost entirely. The demon-angel frowned, but remained passive. They began to lead her out of the room, but before she was gone she turned back to Alex one last time and said; "Look after Angelle.... And look for the white light."

After that one last cryptic statement, Aescila was gone, led away surrounded by guards. Her allies filed in afterwards, Lady Albatross frowning darkly, Sir Andrast outright scowling, and Dingroria looking fairly impassive. "That could have gone much worse!" the oni stated simply, the first to speak. "Aye, that it could have! I'm glad that it didn't. If she'd tried to fight, I'd have been honor bound to fight against her regardless of my own opinions on the matter," Sir Andrast stated after the oni, wiping sweat from his brow. "We'd best get moving quickly, but I think your-" Lady Albatross began, but then stopped as Alex was glomped from behind by her daughter, "Mommy!"

Angelle cradled herself against Alex tightly, wrapping the half-dragon in her wings and letting her tears fall onto Alex's armor as she began to shiver and rock slightly. "That... That man... The one you fought, he.... He! He.... There was so much blood.... Why did that happen?" she asked desperately, clutching as tightly as she ever had to Alex as if terrified for her own life. "Why are they taking daddy? Didn't they feel the.... The other one?"

 

[Termite]

Re: Vengeance or Reconciliation? (Termite)

Alex did not like these men's response. The guard himself was just an outright bastard, but the mage had her tail flicking in irritation. His answer felt entirely too pompous, and Aes must have agreed. She'd seen the power of some of the faeries, and unless these mages were going to imprison Aes within that huge tower then she was certain there was nothing they could do to prevent Mab from simply taking what she wanted. But Aes had already made her decision, and Alex would honor it no matter what. It was why she simply stepped back and let her lover be cuffed and collared like some dangerous creature even though Aes did nothing to provoke this kind of response.

As her angel was being escorted out the parting remark had her a bit curious, but she simply nodded. "I will." But she didn't stop there. "Magus." She wasn't sure what the man's title was, but that sounded as respectful as she could manage on such short notice. "I'm fairly certain I know how you came here, so tell me..." At this point she stood with her arms crossed. "Do you have my weapons?" If she was going to investigate she wanted to at least be armed in case someone decides to ambush or outright attack. It pays to be cautious, and if Aes's captors didn't have them then she would probably need to return to the Arena and start hounding the mages there.

Once that was completed and everyone had left Alex took in a deep breath and let out all her frustration at this entire turn of events. A part of her wanted to smack Andrast right there for stating that he would side against her if this latest matter had come to blows, but she also understood his position, so she simply let it drop. There were far more pressing matters to worry about, and Lady Albatross was right. Time was of the essence-

"Mommy!"

The sudden glomp was unexpected, but Alex had enough sense to let herself sway a bit so Angelle wouldn't end up crashing and falling on the floor. The tears that followed had Alex's tension immediately rushing out of her, and though it was made difficult by her daughter's wings clinging to her Alex managed to turn herself around so she could cradle her girl in her arms. "It's okay, little one, I'm here." A hand rose and started gently stroking and petting the hybrid's hair. "I'm not sure why it happened, but someone interfered. I couldn't stop from hurting him. I'm sorry you had to see that." The gentle rocking that Angelle was made was easily matched by Alex, and if they were close enough the dragon would sit them both down on the bed to make it a little more comfortable.

When it came to Angelle's next question Alex was prepared to answer, but that last little bit that was added made her freeze. "I don't think they did. I didn't notice them either. I think nearly everyone was distracted by what happened. Who was this other one?"