[4:46 PM] Kwakado: Persephone looked back, away from the setting sun, and gazed at the pillar of smoke with strained, drained eyes. It was a new kind of scar - one seared into the land itself - a fresh symbol of her betrayal, rising up for half of Junith to look upon it.
Yuridia took this as a chance to slow down, and indeed her rider did not correct it. She simply watched, and waited, as if a man could clamber out of that faraway inferno and return to her.
He wouldn't, of course. Her colorless countenance admitted as much, bearing the same cold stare she'd held since she watched the Ethysium flames take him. It was the proper thing to do, with no time for a burial - but that did nothing to dull the sting of abandonment.
Even when the wind blew her hair, her red flag of Cawdor, over her face, Persephone hardly even blinked, continuing her purposeless gaze.
[5:11 PM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: "Persephone!"
As she slowed down, it made it easier for the wyvern rider to catch up to her. Her right eye was covered by a makeshift eyepatch, made simply to cover up the bleeding beneath it. Her black wyvern slowed its descent to match Yuridia. As its orange-webbed wings coated the horse and her rider in even more orange sunlight.
"I uh...."
She stuttered slightly as she spoke up properly, not sure of what to tell the girl after she just experienced.
"Im sorry for your loss."
[5:24 PM] Kwakado: A quiet scoff was the only response she could find, just as transfixed by the burning bridge as she had been the day before. Not even a turn of the head, or any shift in her stance, gave an indication that she'd even heard the knight's attempt at consolation.
Until finally, a blunt reply fell out of her mouth:
"This is what you've hoped for, is it not? ...Victory. Justice over Ethysia."
She still faced the fire.
[5:35 PM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: "Perhaps. There is one thing I wont pay for that victory though."
Even though she seemingly paid her no attention, Rieze still spoke to her as if it was an ongoing conversation. Her solemn tone didn't change either, attempting to find back to her own feelings she put behind once she set out to chase her own justice.
"The happiness of my friends. Im willing to sacrifice myself. Not everyone else."
[8:31 PM] Kwakado: Persephone's gaze sank to the ground, and her chin fell to the edge of her shoulder. Such sentiment rang hollow to the grieving girl, but she knew there was truth in it. They were the words of one who'd throw herself between two feuding friends in a heartbeat, whatever wounds it would bring. The sort of woman who would gladly martyr herself, for those she'd devoted herself to.
"...oh, how lovely a world it would be...if we could choose what it is that we lose."
Pulling her hair back finally, Persephone finally turned to face forward, her hushed tone rising with a tinge of scorn.
"You must-"
But she stopped once she crossed the woman's eye, giving a delayed blink at the eerie cleanliness of the wound.
".. Heavens... Silverwing, your eye..!"
Her head lifted in place, and her limbs buckled in surprise. A sense of clarity, and concern, returned to her, but no words followed.
[4:33 AM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: "One of the sacrifices I am willing to make. Pay it no mind."
The bracelet containing the soul-devouring creature firmly locked around her right wrist glowed ominously, the dull lights flickering in their respective gems.
"If it is neccesary to protect everyone, It wont matter. Im more concerned about Kyron.... how did it go?"(edited)
The bracelet containing the soul-devouring creature firmly locked around her right wrist glowed ominously, the dull lights flickering in their respective gems.
"If it is neccesary to protect everyone, It wont matter. Im more concerned about Kyron.... how did it go?"(edited)
[10:12 AM] Kwakado: "It...."
The young lady inhaled suddenly, overcome with vertigo just from attempting to retell it. Her head swayed side to side, either in denial of the question or in denial of the answer. After another breath, she released the reins for a moment to reach behind herself, with her arms clinging tight around herself.
From her back, Persephone presented a gargantuan greatsword, gleaming grimly in the fading sunlight. Though it seemed darker - duller - than last she would have seen it, the weapon was clearly Kyron's - a legendary sword he'd never tire of boasting of, and a weapon he'd never go without.
[2:45 PM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: ".... So its true then."
[2:47 PM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: Her somber tone didn't change as she crossed her arms, looking sorrowfully at the weapon. She had seen it before, multiple times actually. Yet it seemed dead almost. Perhaps it was similar to Xal'Atoh in a way... no, she didn't want to think about it. Nobody else should have taken up the mantle of carrying a monster around, just for the sake of victory.
"I don't know what to say.... truly. Im sorry for your loss."
[3:14 PM] Kwakado: Averting her eyes from it the whole time, Persephone put Kyron's sword back promptly as Reize spoke. The woman's condolences seemed to be enough to stir her out of silence, and she spoke out to her.
"Silverwing...Tell me the truth."
Persephone's voice was low and little, more of a plea than an accusation. Her hands were practically strangling the reins as she looked up to the rider to ask:
"Did he really love me?"(edited)
[5:45 PM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: "Hmm..... Well...."
Rieze crosses her arms, remembering a moment a long time ago.....
[5:45 PM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: =F L A S H B A C K=
Countless rows of books towered above the desk, with a conceited nobleman sitting in the chair behind it. Perhaps it was a manefistation of Anton Silverwing's ego, that he owned so much, yet passed down so much work to his daughter. She was a hardworking one, that he had made sure of. He saw a bit of himself in her, honestly. A mind made for greatness. Sharp as the axe she trained with. The estate was big, even for other Ethysian standards. The study itself looked more like a common man's library, with a shelf dictated to his own works. Yet he didn't find himself proofreading often. But today was different. One of his colleagues, the grand Kyron himself had approached him. Bringing an... interesting request.
He twirled the edge of his small black moustache, clearing his throat before he asked the other man a question, his gaze locked on him curiously.
"So who is this for? I had no idea someone like you were chasing.... these kinds of affairs."(edited)
[5:46 PM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: "You've probably never heard of her." The visitor smirked as he ran a gloved hand through his blond hair.
"She's a count's daughter...Ten years as of this month. I'm afraid I've sworn not to divulge too much about the circumstances, but..."
Kyron lowered his hand, adjusting his most recent badge.
"... Let's just say, she's been an angel for my career."
[5:46 PM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: "Hmph. So nearly as old as my daughter herself then."
Anton sat back, reading over the letter once again. Perhaps even laughing to himself slightly as he read it. Kyron, falling for a count's daughter? One that he apparently didn't even know of? Someone so irrelevant that he didn't even know them? Laughable. Yet he was providing help for a fellow general, so the mockery could come later.
"I do have to say though, this seems unlike you. Falling for a woman that I haven't even heard of? Boy, you have all the options in the empire, yet this is what you are going with?"(edited)
[5:47 PM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: "I could never disobey Father over such a trifle." Kyron's face stayed just as smug. "And you know full well that General Glamis knows what he's talking about."
[5:48 PM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: "Well... Ahem. If this is acceptable to you, then I don't know how I can criticize it. I write books. Not silly letters."
That was a lie. He knew all about how he could improve it. It looked as if no effort was put in whatsoever. The letter was sloppily written, and he believed even a lovestruck commoner could write something better. But helping him would be a tremendous waste of time.
[5:48 PM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: "Acceptable? It doesn't suit my glory in the slightest. Gods, why do you think I came all this way to meet with the smartest general in Ethysia?!"
Kyron crossed his arms, and his eyebrows tilted at angry angles, even though he still seemed to be smirking.
[5:49 PM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: "Well... Perhaps you being a little more direct would treat the young madame well?"
He twirled his moustache again, his eyebrows furrowing slightly, not liking having to possibly go in depth on how to make it better.
[5:50 PM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: "...Direct. A little more direct..I see...but what's there to be direct about? It's been six years since I've even seen the girl, sir."
Kyron paced to the side, looking up at the towering tomes for inspiration.
"She's got red hair. But they say that's a bad omen in Floribar, so I didn't mention it. And I'd never send classified information over the border...agh."
He whirled around, looking at the other side of the massive office.
"It's trouble enough filling one page. I can't imagine how you manage to write dozens more at a time, without wanting to just...wring someone's neck, you know?!
[5:51 PM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: "Self control is a virtue. Regardless, I can't write this for you. It is good as it is. If you want to add content to it, you need to use your own head. Not mine."
He slammed the letter onto the desk again.
Floribar, huh. Should make sure he does not send her any information, regardless of who she is.
[5:52 PM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: "I understand, sir." With a deferential scowl, Kyron seized the letter, crinkling it in his fist.
"By your leave, I'll return shortly, and show you just what this head is capable of." He whirled around, and headed toward the door.
[5:52 PM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: Just as Kyron was about to exit however, a new person entered the room. Standing in the doorway was the currently 13 year old Rieze, holding the small Neltharion in her arms. Anton's face didn't change upon seeing her in the doorway, he simply glanced over seeing if she spoke up.
"Father, I have tende- Oh."
She went silent once she saw the visitor, greeting him with a quick curtsey
"Greetings, Sir Kyron. I hope I didn't ruin anything important."
[5:53 PM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: "So good to see you, Rieze. But there's nothing to ruin. I've just stumbled upon the limits of your father's generosity."
With a swish of the cape and a sarcastic smile, Kyron stepped aside to let her through.
[5:53 PM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: "I would appreciate knocking on the door before you enter. I would also appreciate not having my boundless generosity insulted."
Rieze nooded meekly in answer to her father, making sure to keep a distance from Kyron. Yet, as Anton didn't say anything, she quickly turned to Kyron.
"Milord, if my father lacks the time to assist you, maybe I can be of assistance in the matter?"
[5:54 PM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: "You? Assisting a general in this? That's..."
Kyron caught himself, unnerved as he was by all this. To even consider consulting with a child like this was a joke. But to insult General Silverwing's daughter in front of him would be a stupider move than mocking the old man himself. But if he humored her, it might be a chance to regain some lost favor.
"...really generous of you, Rieze. I can see the resemblance." Kyron nodded to her father. "We'll leave you to your business, then, sir." And he promptly stepped out of the office.
[5:55 PM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: "So... what is your issue milord?"
Rieze asked curiously, the magically hampered wyvern curiously poking at the general with Rieze holding him back. He had a clear interest in the man.
[5:55 PM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: Blowing off her question at first, Kyron brought his hand out to the interested wyvern, then gave its head some firm pats.
"Ha! What a puny little thing!" Kyron gave the hatchling a condescending smile. "But the coat's not bad at all. Your father gave you this one?"
[5:56 PM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: "Yes he did. He's small now, but he will grow. In time."
Neltharion pulled his head back as the general patted it. Perhaps fear?
"But... Your problem, sir?"
[5:56 PM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: "Oh, that." Pursuing the baby Wyvern's head for just a few moments too long, Kyron withdrew his hand, producing the crumpled-up letter with some reluctance. "Simply put, it's for a girl..about your age, frankly. Your father said it was, err...good the way it is, but maybe your perspective can do some good."
He held it out for her with a foppish shrug, fairly sure that this wouldn't actually help.
[5:57 PM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: Rieze accepted the paper with her left hand, clutching Neltharion with her right. Giving it a quick read, a single drop of sweat appeared on her forehead. It wasnt good as a love letter. At all. And she had intrepeted it as such. Sooo....
"Haha.... Ummm, no offense milord, but what is this intended for?"
[5:58 PM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: "My fiancée in Floribar." Kyron's face flickered with defensive dismay. "It must sound like a joke to you. But Floribaians are softer, more sensitive of a people than us."
[5:58 PM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: "That is... well, ummm... Not what I meant."
Rieze formulated her sentrces very slowly, careful as to not offend the general.
"Its... a bit strange, perhaps?"
[5:58 PM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: "Strange?!" The general burst out, immediately taking offense. "What the hell do you mean by that?!"
[5:59 PM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: "Eh, I mean that its strange to me! Its probably not towards the intended reciever!"
Rieze quickly answered, clearly distressed
[5:59 PM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: "Of course not." Sated by her distress, Kyron calmed down almost as quickly. "All the same...what is it that you find so strange?"
[5:59 PM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: "Perhaps the.... indecisiveness of it all?"
She spoke quickly, but managed to supress most of her distressed thoughts
[5:59 PM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: "Indecisive, hm?" Kyron furrowed his brow, taking her advice a little more seriously now.
[6:00 PM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: "It seems a bit wildly directed? It cant.... how do you say... focus? It isnt clear on what its trying to do."
Neltharion tried to grab the paper in his mouth, but Rieze pulled him away, prompting him to growl angrily at her
[6:00 PM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: "Huh. Maybe. It's the first time I've written back, so I didn't want it to look so...abrupt." Kyron walks to the side a little.
"The girl's been sending letters like this to me for over five years now. At first, I thought it was all her schmoozing father, but then they just kept coming--"
Kyron shook his head, laughing coldly. "But they've all been quite clear, come to think of it."
[6:00 PM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: "Then why not try responding with the same clarity? Im sure the girl loves it."
Rieze smiled, contrary to Neltharion. He didn't like being locked in her grasp
[6:00 PM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: "The same? Ha! It's a much easier task to flatter a decorated Ethysian general than a count's daughter, you know."
Kyron smirked with a combination of pride and frustration.
"I couldn't match her if I tried. That's why I haven't tried."
[6:00 PM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: "Oh... Well, all the more reason to be clear then."
She sighed deeply, almost losing grasp of the baby wyvern in her arms.
"Well... You love her, right?"
[6:01 PM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: "Love?!" With a hint of embarrassment, the general scoffed. "Listen: we have an arrangement, not an affair. I sought out your father for his repute as a writer, not his..." Kyron held his tongue. "Look, that isn't the point. I'm not writing this for sport, you hear?"
[6:01 PM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: "Well... Alright then. Want me to offer you guidance in starting from scratch?"
[6:02 PM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: "Hmph. Very well." Kyron let out a sigh, and a faint hint of color left his face. "Now then...I can recall her hair, but.................."
[6:02 PM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: =back to the matter at hand=
[6:03 PM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: "I.... wish I knew. I helped him write a letter to you long ago. He never.... well, told me anything clear."
Rieze hesitated to speak up, as wary as she had been the very same day back then
[8:09 PM] Kwakado: Some of the helpless hope in her eyes started to fade, but her gaze didn't move. "So the boasting of flowers...that never happened? Was it not clear?"
[12:19 AM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: "I don't know. I wish I did, more than anything."
She became silent again, relunctant to speak up
[12:26 PM] Kwakado: She prepared to press the rider even further, desperate to know everything she could about him, but she stopped upon noticing her reluctance. "Oh...pardon my childishness, Silverwing. You've said enough."(edited)
[12:28 PM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: "No, Its natural. I simply dont know much more than you do."
She shook her head, dissapointed in the now-dead general
[12:35 PM] Kwakado: "That's just it." Persephone glances once more, over the greatsword's hilt, toward the enormous Ethysium funeral pyre. "...He's the one I need to speak with. No one else could know."(edited)
[2:35 PM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: "But now he is gone. I.... Im sorry for not being able to help you."
[11:34 PM] Kwakado: But now he is gone.
Then came another jolt of recognition through her frame - as if it was still a surprise for Persephone to hear it. As if she wasn't the one that did it.
"He was about to take my life." She wanted to scream, but could not find the vitality for it. Everything felt so distant, and in turn her stare showed that distance. "What would you have done? Thrown yourself in the way again? Given yourself to him in my stead?" A furrowed brow hinted at her frustration.
[11:19 AM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: "I don't know what I would have done. I would have stopped him though, that much is certian."
Her thoughts raced through her head, visualising the situation. Sure she couldnt be 100% sure. But she was certian that she would have done something..... just not what.
[11:50 AM] Kwakado: "...That would have been wonderful." But her voice was devoid of delight, her face unable to give the slightest semblance of joy from imagining it. Then came an even colder response, coming to her quite naturally after countless condolences:
"Thank you for your concern, miss Silverwing."(edited)
[7:10 AM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: Sigh...
She turned away from Persephone silently, drawing a blank on what to say. She wasnt a master of interacting with people, nor cheering them up.
"I.. really dont know what I can do to help you any more. Apologies."
[9:54 AM] Kwakado: "I have but one request, if you care to help. Whatever you do...Please..." The young lady rode closer to the Wyvern, ensuring her soft voice reached the heroine.
"... Do not sacrifice yourself for me. That's all I can ask...It would be no less a wound than if you turned your axe on me here."(edited)
[2:07 PM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: "If you say so. Im here for whatever you may need, okay? Same with Delphine, Artemis, anyone. Just ask."
She turned again, giving Persephone a warm smile, even in face of the sadness. Perhaps it was her best way to cheer people up.
[2:29 PM] Kwakado: The noble managed a shivering smile of her own - more of a promise of future cheer than any indication of the present.
"For now, a little respite should suffice. But I can't thank you enough."
[3:18 PM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: "Heh. Look, I can't imagine what you have been through. But we're all in this together, whatever you want to do. Just believe. It's gonna get better eventually."
She reached a hand towards Persephone, patting her on the shoulder lightly.
"There's a lot more that you can do here still. Kyron wasnt all that defined you. Know that."
[3:40 PM] Kwakado: "...a little..respite.." With a hushed, simmering voice, Persephone recoiled from the woman's hand upon hearing her last attempt at comforting the girl. But it was wrong. He had defined her. Given her life a purpose, a direction...It was Kyron's steadfast dedication to his liege that had inspired Persephone to stay with this doomed resistance as long as she had. To carry on with some hope, even after her brother...
Persephone shook her head, doing what she could to keep from lashing out no matter how deeply Rieze's words cut her. "...you can go now."(edited)
[4:07 PM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: Rieze silently backed off, slowly leaving her alone again. Before she left though, she turned to Persephone solemnly.
"Be seeing you then..."
"I really messed up there... Didn't I?"
[4:20 PM] Kwakado: The drumming hooves of a dead man's horse were the only reply Rieze received, as Persephone rode off. Though she considered (hardly for the first time that day) turning back to the burnt bridge, to search for that faint chance that she could go back to the way everything was before. But their wide, ambling arc turned towards Finn's group.
As real as that hope still felt to her, Persephone's taut mind had already started to understand the harsh truth. There was nothing that way to define her anymore. At least a noble death awaited her in Florette.
[4:26 PM] Amasuri, Awaiting the New Moon: =end rp=
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