;; strange eyed girl

[adri-isuelt]

“are you going to let me heal you today or are you going to moan about it?” adri asked the other as she stepped into the room, beginning to set up what she needed. they had a history of disliking each other, they all knew that. but that did not mean she was going to let one of her teammates walk into the black injured

@dmiitris​

[adri-isuelt]

“there is no way you stole that from him while his wife was right there. i can’t believe that.” the magician laughed loudly as she listened to the story of the thief. it was a nice break to sit there and laugh for a bit, especially with someone who she enjoyed spending so much time with.

@zeldadedalera​

[adri-isuelt]

“i told you not to move.” adri told archer as she pressed her hands down against one of the wounds. she knew it was going to hurt but it was important for her to get a feeling of how he was healing up. it felt like she had spent days working and working to get him back to normal. “what is it with you langley brothers and getting hurt? trying to keep me on my toes?” she said, slightly hint of a smile lingering there.

@archerlangley​

[aurelio-amoranth]

@adri-isuelt​

Magic is not a domain that Aurelio particularly knows anything about, nor does he have much of an opinion on it. He’s never seen it done – with the exception of recently, obviously – and he’s never concerned himself with it. It wasn’t relevant in his life. Not until it became, perhaps, the only way to stop the black.

He doesn’t know how it works, but he had seen Adri gather some of the mushrooms from the deep roads. Aurelio supposed, then, that some spells required ingredients, and he’d quietly gathered some more, and a few other things on their trip.

In Medinah, he presents her with a cloth-wrapped bundle. “More of those mushrooms you gathered,” he explains brusquely. “Some crystal I was able to remove from the wall. Two intact giant spider eyeballs. I don’t know if any of this will help you.”

[adri-isuelt]

if there was one thing aurelio and adri seemed to have in common was their comfort in the outdoors. seemed that aurelio had barely known anything else but his woods. growing up with her parents in the middle of a forest, she found herself running around until the stars came out. even in the capitol when she wasn't working she enjoyed nice long walks in the gardens. or taking a trip back to the woods when she could. 

the magician was thankful now to have someone to walk with, even if there was no escaping the bustling noise of the city. but even in the busy streets it felt so much more alive than the capitol.

taking the cloth bundle from him, she gave him a large smile. "this is absolutely amazing, i was so focused on healing i didn't even think of taking anything from the spiders or the crystals. this will a great help." she said. "thank you." a small basket tucked in one arm, she kept her walk up to the market. "i won't make you stay in the market if you don't want. but i'm just gathering some supplies. not often i have made my way out to the deserts."

[zeldadedalera]

@adri-isuelt​

The apartments Jackal had provided were new and modern and Zelda approved immensely. She’d spent perhaps too long bathing the grime of the road off of herself with prickling hot water and soaps that smelled of sandalwood and orange blossom, running jasmine-infused argan oil through her hair. She felt better than she had in weeks.

After an appropriate time spent laying face down on the crisp white comforter, Zelda dresses and goes about fixing herself tea—Jackal had left her favorite, the mint tea that reminded her of home. Tea, however, is not meant to be drunk alone, and as she sets the leaves to steep, Zelda pads barefoot to the apartment beside hers.

She knocks on the door and smiles when it opens. “I was just making tea and was wondering if you’d like some?”

[adri-isuelt]

there was so little time to sit and actually enjoy the area around them all. it felt like from the moment azrael found that book she had been working to figure it out. piece by piece him and her could figure it out. one step closer, no time to stop. well there was time for someone, for her. whenever she was around she found whatever work she needed to do second best to spending time.

it was silly, foolish even. adri had lived her whole life dedicating herself to her work and what she could do with it. but on this trip, when she thought all she would be doing was work, she wanted to do more. she wanted to spend more time with the people in her group.

a smile moved over the magician's face when she heard the familiar knock on her door. practically leaping out of her chair, she opened the door to a welcoming face. "i suppose some tea would be nice." she said, stepping outside and closing the door behind her. "what kind are you making?"

[adri-isuelt]

 graysonlangley‌:

Dutifully, Reshdva trots off in search of a large bowl. She doesn’t have one, obviously, but one of the horses has a pack with a few plates and bowls in them – wooden, sturdy, good for surviving long horseback rides. She learns that having to ask for help is frustrating; the body the rest of their soul is in has hands, wonderfully useful things, and this manifestation just has paws, ill-suited for tasks like untying packs and fishing out bowls.

She brings it back to Adri clamped in her jaws, and sets it down carefully at Adri’s feet.

Us, Adri said. She’s obviously of the opinion that the group will go looking for them. Reshdva isn’t holding her breath.

“Even a clue would be enormously helpful,” she says, sitting next to the bowl, tail tucked over her paws as she curiously watches Adri sorting through little vials. She wants to ask what they are, but time may be of the essence. “Do you need anything else?”

as reshdva hurried off to find her a bowl, adri was able to gather from freshwater from a small stream, most likely run off from snow nearby but it would. she thanked the small fox as they returned with the bowl, filling it with the water she gathered. 

looking through the small vials, she picked out the ones that might suit the task best adding them to the water. there was a pressure she felt building around her as she wanted to make sure she got something for the group. anything that could help.the last step was to light a small red candle next to her, and sit on the ground ready to begin.

“it might take some time but i will get something.” she reassured reshdva. taking in a steady deep breath. her violet eyes closed as she first focused to clear her mind of all the thoughts that might be plaguing her. thoughts that could cloud her reading. after she was ready, she opened her eyes and stared into the water.

slowly images appeared, one by one they started to form. then ideas and thoughts came up too. her breathing heavier as she stared at the images. they were some of the most powerful ones she had felt before. maybe her will to conjure them was more desperate than she had been any other time. finally she got her answer, closing her eyes to let the visions go. “the deep roads. he’s there... an entrance isn’t far from here, in the crack of the ice. there is a....cavern i think. we need to go there.”

[adri-isuelt]

graysonlangley‌:

@adri-isuelt​

“How do tracking spells work?”

At this point, Reshdva sees very little point in bothering with idle chit-chat. She’s in pain, she feels stretched thin, like something’s going to snap at any moment, and she doesn’t know if this is something she endure for long. If there’s a time limit on being so far apart from the rest of their soul.

At this point, Adri is her best bet for finding a location. 

“I know they exist, but what I don’t know is how they work. Aurelio shot one of them with an arrow, their blood is still on it. Are you able to figure out their location from that? A direction, at least?”

“well i suppose it depends on which one you want to do. but, i can’t give you an exact location or track them i don’t have the things necessary for that sort of spell, i would need many things from my uncles study.” she felt deflated not being able to help with something as simple as tracking spell. but with the long treck ahead of them, adri had not packed as many necessary spell items as she had on their other journies. the magician was about to apologize for her lack of help when an idea dawned on her.

“i can’t track him with a spell, but i can try scrying. i should at least be able to give us a direction we can go in if i can get a good reading.” standing up quickly, she hurried over to her bag and began digging through it. “i don’t have a mirror handy but i can get a good reflection going with some water.” pulling out a few small viles of liquids, she sorted through them. picking out whatever would be best to add to the water to help with the reading.

“i need a large bowl if you can find one. i will need fresh water which i think i can find some out here.” she paused for a moment looking over at reshdva. “i will find him or something that can help us. i promise.” there was still hope now that she could be useful in their search.

[adri-isuelt]

zeldadedalera‌:

@adri-isuelt​

After the smoke had cleared, taking Grayson along with it, Zelda was left in shock. She was in good company—the rest of the group didn’t seem to know what had happened either. It had been jarring, that was for sure, and the sudden spike of unfamiliar danger had only served to further jumble up the emotions tangling in Zelda’s chest. 

As she often did, she found herself by Adri’s side, shifting her weight from side to side as she shoved her hands into her pockets. “That was magic, right?” she mumbles.

there was a feeling sitting in her gut that she knew only as guilt. guilt that maybe she had not done enough to help save one of the company. he was not dead, only taken. which meant they could get them back and adri was ready to do just that.

adri was doing what she could for now, cleaning up the campsite and getting it ready. if the group was leaving now or if they were going to leave in the morning she wanted to be ready. but throughout all of this she felt the comforting presence of zelda close by. “yes, it was. i should have known to get rid of the smoke faster. i just froze....i don’t know why.”

[adri-isuelt]

azraelkhye‌:

     azra’s eyes conveyed what the mask hid: warmth at the arrival of an old friend. he wasn’t the closest to adri, certainly, no doubt she had others whom she cherished a great deal more, but it didn’t upset him to see her there. he returned the embrace, arms wrapping around her middle, and even pressed a chaste kiss to her temple, “i’ve missed you too,” he murmured, withdrawing from her to look her over at the same time she did. 

        “you look exquisite, adri, your uncle must be very proud,” he complimented. he had anticipated her being there, when her uncle spoke of it, but he didn’t expect her to be a member of this party, and oh how the questions came to his tongue. he didn’t wish to overwhelm her though, and started with the most important one. “are you well?” he questioned, “i’ve heard many a rumor of your company’s plights, surely most of it is untrue, but traveling is no less dangerous than it is said.” he clarified, hoping that she was well, that she hadn’t come into any dire situations. 

not that she didn't enjoy the company of those in her new group, that wasn't the case at all since she, in fact, enjoyed most of them. but there was always something nice about seeing a familiar friend and a familiar smile. "thank you azra, as do you like always." she smiled. "my uncle certainly was happy to see me again and to see and to see i have not left behind the tradition of all black clothing even as we traveled. seems only fair to continue my insignia of magical training even now."

"i am well. no injuries or anything to count on luckily. but i have seen some things that are...hard to explain. which is why i am here. to talk to my uncle and to you as well." adri turned her head to scan the area around them for anyone else that might be lingering around. places like this always seemed to be a wandering place for listening ears. once she was sure there was no one else around she felt freer to talk. "i believe the black is worse than we might have feared it to be. it's leaking into the forests the rivers."

[adri-isuelt]

aurelio-amoranth‌:

@adri-isuelt​

Magic has always been a foreign concept to Aurelio. He has no use for it, he doesn’t understand it, he’s never seen it. And he’d been just fine with that, right up until his home had started being blackened – up until trees started withering and the animals turned mad, the infection slowly spreading no matter how much he’d tried to stop it.

It’s the only reason he left his home to accompany these people: a desperate hope that they might have an answer, a way to fight back.

But he’s still dubious that magic might be the answer.

“You say your mentor might be able to help.” He’s sought out Adri in the gardens, impatient for information – this feels like a waste of time, dressing up and charming people. Aurelio hasn’t even begun to attempt the latter. “How?”

adri would have been more than happy to spend most of this party hiding out in the garden. black dress, combined with the curls of the black hair she could seemingly blend into the darkness of the garden. the magician loved her work and the job she did but these parties were not her favorite thing. it seemed she always found a way to slip back to her work in the basement. she had assumed she would spend most of this time alone that was until she saw another approaching her.

“my mentor is a very wise man. he’s spent years studying and learning all sorts of subjects, even beyond just magic. but luckily for us whatever is happening here seems to have some sort of magic or mythic property to it. he is going to be our best bet to learn what we need.”

violet eyes glanced over her shoulders back towards the castle and the livley music coming from its halls. “he’s busy at the moment but when he is free i can ask him what we need. my uncle isn’t a man to tolerate meaningless small talk forever. he will be free soon enough.” she said. looking over at her new companion, a dozen questions flooded her brain for her to ask. but she figured she needed to at least go one at a time. “i’m guess you are not the party type?” she smiled.

[adri-isuelt]

azraelkhye‌:

 a gilded ball –– open starter –– garden of eden ( winter palace )

    hands clasped, folded neatly behind his back, azrael walks with near perfect posture, even as his footsteps are muffled by the paths winding through the lush gardens, and no soul accompanies him to lay judgement were he to slouch. cliche as it may be, and he knows it is, he needs the coolness of air to soothe the dull ache in his head. he’s already tasted too much wine, and the night is still young. if he is not careful he will become properly inebriated, and such a state would be ill-advised, given the mountain of paperwork he has to go through. 

        frowning, he moves to settle near one of the smaller pools, far enough away from the waterfall that it does not fill his ears with rushing water to further cloud his senses. his fingers, unblemished, reach to draw through the cool waters, colorful guppies chase after them, nibbling at his fingerpads. he sits in quiet contemplation for some time, thoughts wandering to the many strangers filling the gilded halls. the palace is not his home, but it is not far off from his patron’s residence. he is not unused to iron, glittering gold, colors too bright, just as the fish are. he thinks of the company of men and women who arrived with a flurry of gossip. stories arrive to the capitol so quickly these days, and while he suspects some truth in them, he cannot help but believe much to be exaggerated, if nothing else. the individuals though? well, surely there are many brunettes with green eyes all across the land. it cannot be who his heart yearns for it to be and he refuses to permit himself to think on it any further, eyes closing beneath the coolness of his mask. 

        he loses track of time, when he hears another, but does not rise to meet them, first turning his head to see. blue eyes undistorted by the elegance of the mask shielding the rest of his face, his smile is only slightly changed. “it seems these places suit cliches for a reason,” he hums, warmth in his tone, “are you finding the palace to be as daunting as i have?” he asks. even after all this time, azrael is not comfortable here, hidden away, his mask immediately marking him property of his patrons, the bronze chosen not by his own hand, nor the artwork giving him an almost owl like disposition. how appropriate for a scholar, he thinks, bitterly, only momentarily thankful that the brand shields his true feelings from the stranger. 

events like this adriella has always been so used to being practically glued to her uncle's side for most of this. she was his apprentice and assistant it was only right for her to stay by his side and help when needed. discussions on uses of magic or areas where their assistance could be needed. plus it seemed her uncle and her shared a similar view of what these parties were like.

but tonight she needed some separation from her uncle, whom she missed dearly. tonight she was not just a regular member or the party but a part of a larger group, here with a job. her uncle could wait a moment before she got out the information they were looking for.

sweeping through the party, she often felt like she stood out in these events. her black clothing like an odd marking amongst the beautiful pastels dresses that swirled around her. but it was traditional for a magician like her to keep in black clothing as much as they could. she always had memories of her mother in black dresses and it was something marli had always just seemed to stick to. her mask maybe not as intricate as the others or covered as much of her face but it was enough to keep the status of who she was.

after wandering the party she ventured out into the garden, happy to get away from the chittering of guests for a moment. but there in the distance, she saw a familiar face."azrael you know i always find all of the daunting, just as you do." the magician smiled at her friend. it only took a few steps and she was by his side, wrapping her arms around him in an embrace. "i have missed you dear friend." she said as she held him tight. letting go of him, she took a step back to really look at him, mask and all. "I'm glad you are here tonight."

[adri-isuelt]

arkhamryder‌:

    The second question was far easier for Arkham to answer, though there had been no hesitation in his first response. “No,” he said again, just as firmly. “I don’t believe you to be an evil person, or even a unsavory person,” he confessed. “But, there is purpose in Master Casey’s decision and not everything is for me to understand or to be able to explain. You are not unwelcome in Caer Crye, I know several women who would gladly take you in for our short stay here.” He echoed again, wanting her to understand that the Guild House was something all it’s own. It wasn’t a random inn to stay at, or Master Casey’s private residence (though it may as well have been), it was the heart of the Guild, it was near sacred. 

     “Do not think to know what I understand, Adri. I understand your plight here, you are not the first stranger to visit Caer Crye and find themselves barred from the Guild House. I am sorry if that has hurt you, but nothing can be done in that circumstance. I’m asking you to recognize that I’ve not abandoned you.” He explained, nudging the food he set before her again, trying to make her see. “We may,” he agrees. “If it doesn’t kill us first.” Something dark and ugly filled his chest, making it ache. It was dangerous. 

"thank you." the magician meant the words. it was at least nice to know that he did not take her for a complete liar or evil or whatever nonsense that saying seemed to spread about her.

"i mean no disrespect to you or master casey but a decision that is made without giving much of an explanation can be hard to swallow. especially when i am given no chance to even prove myself." sighing she shook her head, "suppose no point in talking about it further since like you said nothing can be done." still a sense of bitterness or at least unpleasantness was still lingering within, but she wished not to argue anymore.

i’ve not abandoned you. the words stung at a part deep in the back of her mind. a worry or fear she had not thought about in a long time. thoughts that brought back up memories of watching the horses her parents rode disappearing into the horizon. "i do not like to be abandoned." her words were simple but she hoped the meaning behind them could reach him. could explain some of how she felt to be left outside a building, watching the doors close in her face knowing the rest of the group was right there.

a slight hint of a smile was on her face for only a moment as he moved the food closer towards her. picking up a piece of bread from the bunch she broke it in half to share. "well then we will eat and drink and enjoy ourselves before we go and face whatever it is in those woods.

[adri-isuelt]

graysonlangley‌:

@adri-isuelt​

The morning after they’d arrived at Caer Crye, Grayson’s already made himself busy. He’s finding the people to be the total opposite of the Kestrel Isles – here, they’re close-lipped, wary, a whole lot more suspicious of outsiders. But Grayson’s never had much of a problem finding a few friends when he really needs to, and right now, one of the more important items on his agenda is money. He has none, and he should probably rectify that.

A few conversations later, he’s roped himself into helping with a construction job for a few coins, and while the rest of the party is out getting supplies or talking to people in the guild house, Grayson’s happy enough to haul around lumber to prop up a crumbling section of the keep wall. Reshdva’s even found a way to help, hauling bundles of rope clenched in her jaws.

He nearly misses Adri walking past, and for a moment, he almost doesn’t call out to her. Because he’s sure he’ll accidentally say something like, so your fireball was amazing and I spent five hours last night trying to conjure a spark because I used to be able to do a little bit but now I can’t do it at all please will you teach me. He doesn’t think teaching will help. He’s pretty sure any ability to do magic he might have once had is just… gone. So he’ll just keep his mouth shut about that.

“Adri, hey,” he calls out. “I didn’t see you at the, uh, guild house last night, you okay?”

a small basket tucked between her arms held various supplies and other small items she needed a restock on. she was sure it was her own mind playing tricks on her but in the greyness of the town she felt like the violet in her eyes made her stand out far more than she wanted to. walking back towards the inn she was surprised to hear her name being called out. placing the heavy basket on the ground, she waited until the man got to her side. “grayson. what are you doing?” the magicians asked, her eyes looking towards the group of men he had been walking with. some kind of job obviously but unsure of what he was doing. maybe something with the guide, which of course could be why she had no idea. 

“did they not tell you? i am not allowed inside of the guild house.” she said, taking in a sharp breath trying to hold in any bitterness still there. her arms folded tightly across her chest. “some old saying they follow still. violet eyes can only tell lies. so....i’m not allowed in.” she told him. “i got a room at the inn if any of you need me...or remember i’m there.” adri said reaching down to collect the rest of her things.

[adri-isuelt]

somnianpcs‌:

          her  curiosity  was  bold,  and  that  was  a  quality  the  man  could  and  did  admire.  but  it  was  dangerous  in  the  same  breath,  and  it  was  that  same  curiosity  that  drew  her  party  to  the  place  that  would  lead  them  to  their  deaths.  why  could  people  never  leave  well  enough  alone ?    ❛  admittedly,  i’ve  come  to  warn  you.  ❜    because  someone  had  to  –––  he,  for  one,  couldn’t  let  their  blood  be  on  his  hands.    ❛  don’t  go  into  the  wood.  ❜  

his words were certainly not what she expected to hear. a lonely traveler passing through or a man stuck in a city that didn’t trust him was what she might have expected from him, but not a warning. if he had come to warn them then did that mean they were being followed or watched? but his warning was so vague it could mean anything. “why not? if it’s simply you do not think we are capable then you should have seen what we took down before we got here.” although that didn’t factor in the dragon they all saw. maybe there was something to this. “alright then, why shouldn’t we go into the woods? surely you have some kind of reason.”

[adri-isuelt]

somnianpcs‌:

          ❛  ah,  i  see––––––  ❜    voice  quiet  in  the  din,  though  not  without  reason.  there  were  wandering  eyes  in  places  like  this,  and  flies  on  every  wall.  as  much  as  they  might  like  to  think  themselves  different  from  their  neighboring  city  of  the  capitol  some  miles  south,  gossip  traveled  just  as  fast  and  held  currency  here  all  the  same ;  though  less  conniving  and  more  blatantly  nosy,  if  you  were  to  ask  him.    ❛  do  i  give  myself  away  so  easily ?  ❜    the  smile  that  curls  his  lips  is  wry,  and  just  this  side  of  self  deprecating.    ❛  no,  i’m  not  of  their  like.  ❜    not  their  like  at  all,  creases  forming  at  the  corners  of  his  eyes  as  he  looked  up  from  the  table  top,  when  suddenly  a  bit  of  light  cut  across  the  shadow  of  his  hood,  illuminating  violet  eyes,  not  unlike  her  own  for  the  split  second  the  nearby  door  swung  open,  and  then  once  again  shut.    ❛  in  fact,  i  believe  we’ve  more  in  common  than  not.  ❜

“guess you could just call me a good judge of character.” years spent by her uncle’s side traveling and helping people she got to know all sorts of people. and how certain people just held themselves and this man was no farmer but...she didn’t know what he was. the mystery only unfolded more and more as the light caught his face for just a moment. but a moment was all she needed to see the purple color in his eyes. shock drew across the magician’s face as her own violet eyes widened at the realization. adri leaned slightly closer across the wooden table towards the stranger, not being able to hold back the smile. “i believe we do as well. never seen anyone else besides my mother with eyes like that...now this certain begs the question. what are you doing here?”

[adri-isuelt]

somnianpcs‌:

       the  man’s  smile  only  widened,  surprised  by  how  lovely  the  company  was  turning  out  to  be.  warmth  wasn’t  always  something  that  one  could  find  in  caer  crye,  but  the  young  woman  seemed  to  give  it  freely  enough.    ❛  well,  i  hope  the  woman  takes  it  kindly  and  doesn’t  mind  my  asking–––  who  is  it  that  picked  this  town ?  ❜    tone  light,  friendly  even,  as  his  his  fingers  came  to  trace  the  grain  of  of  the  wood  of  the  table  between  them.    ❛  the  keep  is  certainly  steeped  in  tradition,  the  farmers  sometimes  even  more  than  the  guild.  ❜  

“i guess i will then.” she said. the barmaid made her way over to the pair, “one more for me, please, and one for my friend here.” while certainly not outwardly rude in any way but the barmaid seemed to make little effort to make any conversation with them. though she doubted it had anything to do with her eyes and more the look of complete boredom that was glued onto her face. “my travel companions, but i’m afraid you will find little of them around here right now. i believe the guild has made them quite comfortable.” she shrugged. “what about you stranger? you certainly don’t seem like a farmer. you from here?”

[adri-isuelt]

somnianpcs‌:

@adri-isuelt

         ❛  funny  to  see  a  woman  like  you  in  a  town  like  this.  ❜    the  curl  of  the  man’s  lips  is  wry  beneath  the  shadow  of  his  hood,  obscured  as  he  is.    ❛  superstition  is  wont  to  follow.  ❜  

“a woman could take that comment in many ways.” the magician said, a smile matching the man on her face. “trust me i didn’t exactly pick this town.” the man certainly seemed to make himself somewhat comfortable coming over to her table and honestly it was nice company. “superstition always follows those who either don’t understand or who cling to old ways. seems like maybe this town is a combination of both.”