Ill Winds

[Caliena Ahirrae]

Best weapon against dark thoughts? Was there such a thing anyway? At times Caliena couldn't help but think that she was just the tragic heroine of a story where dark thoughts were difficult to chase away. But in a way, it was a bit better in a way, even though Zera was drowning in awkwardness. Perhaps he felt that this assassination attempt was a bit of a bonding experience in a wicked way, she thought. Would he bother about asking such a question otherwise?

"No. Unless you can bring back the dead." she said, the bluntness of her answer was mitigated somewhat by her soft tone, though it probably felt like cutting this topic off before it could even sprout. Mostly because it would take longer than a night to dig through it, but... in a way, yes, most of her woes were stemming from the death of her loved ones from many years ago. When the scheming of her father's enemies robbed her of everything. Her family, their lands. Her Taint didn't help her either. Her potential suitor was likely lost somewhere at the front and a dark minded knight almost ruined her plans to strike back at her enemies. It was a long, complicated mess that was difficult to uproot with a simple question, no matter how direct it was.

Still, she was surprised that someone noticed it. Caliena noted to herself earlier that the duke was blessed with empathy. Or cursed, from a different point of view.

"No one should be concerned by it, though."

The sound of dripping water could be heard from her side as well as she stood up and reached for the towel to get dry. The duality of the conversation was difficult to handle, even though she knew that she should, for the sake of Amaril's plans.

"Forgive me, My Lord, but such a conversation..." she started a bit hesitantly. "Wrong time and space." she searched for the new dress that was no doubt brought here by the servant some time ago.

[Zera]

Zera hesitated a bit when she mentioned raising the dead, but managed to cover his momentary shock with a laugh. "I am afraid not," He said, rising to his feet. The water rushed around him as his bulk moved from it. He kept the billowing thoughts from his mind. Whatever problem that lay behind her coy smile, it was a dark one. The grim shadow that followed her around was one that he knew all too well. He sighed, letting his shoulders slack. He would try again another time. "Right..." He dried himself off, throwing on a simple tunic that revealed some of the deep scarring on his chest. A pair of simple black britches thrown on and boots to accompany them. He tied his hair up behind his head and stepped out into the hallway to wait for her. When she arrived, he scratched the back of his head and tried to smile off their conversation. "I apologize if I was a bit forward," He said, looking away a bit uneasily. He considered offering to arrange for a room to stay in, as to avoid walking the streets that night. He waited though, to see her demeanor.

[Caliena Ahirrae]

Oh, the irony. She could actually read minds, yet she didn't want to. Thus the awkward pause was contributed to her blunt answer, after all it was a rather abrupt end to a topic.

Wearing the temporary dress, Caliena stepped out from her side of the bath too, giving herself plenty of time to regain composure. Of course, this time it lent some rigidity to her body language, but overall she did a good job.

"No offense taken. I'll have to go now though. Perhaps we would need more than a bath to wash away tonight's events." she looked briefly at him with a joyless, light smile. Of course, she meant the assassination attempt. "Fare thee well..." she bowed her head slightly and moved towards the exit, she remembered where they came in. There was no other choice for now, but it wasn't the end of the world either. Caliena left the duke behind with his unease...

[Renegade Vile]

THREAD COMPLETE & EVALUATED