[her] curing priestess

hear my lonely prayer ringing through the land of rain; across the thin air i sing voice to voice, these ancient melodies [indie elluka chirclatia rp blog]

[clockworkerelluka-archive]

..so, like for a starter?

[rpsituations-blog]

In the middle of a conversation, my muse begins to cough up blood. How does your muse respond?

[ccrdinal-blog]

     “AH, I do.”

     He took out his phone, which looked vastly different from the phones in Elluka’s Levianta. The phone (which hardly looked like a phone at all!) looked as if it was a transparent piece of square data floating on his palm, and in the blink of an eye, another transparent blue thread of data smoothly glided across the table to meet the data of Elluka’s phone, thus retrieving her number.

     “I think this should do,” Seth nodded, keeping the data square in his pocket. “I do wonder what’s taking Levia so long…she would’ve loved to see you again, I’m sure.”

[chirclatiaelluka]

She takes out her phone, which seems nothing more than a rectangle of plastic with a piece of glass in the middle. Like part of a window or picture frame. But tapping the edge, it lights up to show the transfer of data.

There's also an unread message, which Elluka checks as she talks. "Maybe something stole her attention away, or she forgot? Or she doesn't know how to operate the staff or something." Could be anything, really.

[allenavadonia-archived]

Audric translates easily enough for her, offering a brief apologetic look to the priestess before doing so. The princess reluctantly offers her pardon, though there’s clearly no honesty behind the gesture.

He explains that Elluka is a candidate to also be a Queen, but she looks unconvinced.

“That’s none of my concern, however… Do you have what I asked for?” She seem impatient, but instantly lights up with a mischievous smile when Audric hands the rosary over to her.

“–Ah, It really is prettier up close! I knew you wouldn’t fail me,” She throws her arms around him-ridiculously informal despite her previous complaints-and busts out in a fit of giggles as she pulls away to examine it.

“…Princess, may I be excused to assist Miss.Chirclatia?”

“Yes, yes, you’re dismissed.” She waves a hand at them carelessly, as if they mean nothing more to her than a fly.

“Thank you, your highness.”

[chirclatiaelluka]

Elluka watches the exchange with a bland curiosity, and by the time it ends she's already forgotten half of it. The sorceress does hear something about being dismissed, and gives a deep bow while repeating Audric's 'Thank you, your highness.'

Well, she can understand enough to know he is thanking her highly, and repeating it isn't so hard.

Elluka looks at Audric with a curious stare. "So," she asks in her native tongue, "What do we do now? If the 'me' of this time could be anywhere..."

[rpsituations-blog]

In the middle of a conversation, my muse begins to cough up blood. How does your muse respond?

[allenavadonia-archived]

A small conversation ensues-all without Audric lifting his head to gaze upon her-wherein Audric simply informs her that there was an error in acquiring the rosary which could be fixed only with magic, as was how it was caused. Riliane still looks clearly irritated, but calms herself and commands Audric to translate for her.

He stands, slowly, but still doesn’t make direction eye contact with the princess.

“…The language of Divine Levianta is long dead. The only reason I can understand it and speak to you is because I have studied it to read old texts. This is Riliane Lucifen d’Autriche, the Queen of Lucifenia.” The princess is still pouting as he speaks to her.

“She couldn’t have known who you were, Milady. Please forgive her.” 

“I won’t.”

[chirclatiaelluka]

Elluka stands a few seconds after Audric, adopting a more demure pose with a hand on her elbow. She listens to the boy, frowning.

"My country is destroyed, then? I'm not surprised. Hope it isn't soon... So, this is the Queen? Kind of annoying I have to do this, since I'll be a Queen as well. Please translate what I say for her." She pauses to look at Riliane, then offer another deep bow.

"I apologize humbly for my insolence, your Highness. I was gravely unaware of the circumstances, and request your forgiveness." Flowery purple prose. It irritates the mage to no end, but she speaks it anyways. Figures it'll do, though.

[allenavadonia-archived]

All at once the princess looks both humiliated and insulted, hands shaking as they thread even deeper in the material of her dress. She immediately closes her mouth, and it’s clear that her anger is building, accumulating until it seems like she’ll snap at any moment.

Elluka isn’t from this time-She couldn’t have known all the blatant slights and disrespect she had shown to Riliane-but Audric knows immediately. The color that drains from his face must be clear even to the blonde woman beside him as he steps in front of her, holding out an arm as if to block her from something-protect her, as it seems.

“How dare you-”

“–Princess,” Audric immediately tries to soothe her, stepping forward only for the princess to snap back at him.

“Silence! How dare you bring a woman as insolent as to not even speak properly, I-”

“She doesn’t speak Lucifenian,” He lies smoothly, kneeling before the queen and hoping that Elluka will take the hint. “She is an acquaintance of mine who required help during my task. If it was not absolutely urgent I would not have broken from the course. Even so, I have finished my assignment. Please forgive me, your majesty.”

She only relaxes the slightest bit, eyes still burning with anger.

[chirclatiaelluka]

The girl watches the two curiously, studying them as the scene plays out. What a brash kid. And there was something inherently wrong about the princess's existence.

But Elluka follows Audric and kneels, mimicking him in bowing her head so she does not see the princess. Her rosary dangles from her neck, and Elluka focuses on it instead.

Strange indeed. Everything here was strange.

[allenavadonia-archived]

“Those taking up permanent residence here are mostly servants who exchange a portion of their wages for food and board. Aside from her highness, anyone else is only using guest rooms for the time they’re here.”

While Elluka did have a bed in her study, she was still considered a palace employee-and in the queen’s eyes, a servant as any other.

“That woman… She could be anywhere-”

“Audric!”

Suddenly, just behind them is a woman-No, a small girl-adorned in jewels and dramatic skirts, her face flushed with irritation and manicured nails curled in the fabric of her dress at both sides.

“Where have you been!? Answer m-”

…She stops when she sees the girl beside him, and something akin to jealousy appears on her face as she draws in a sharp breath. She doesn’t entirely release it, even when she speaks with a tone not unlike thorns.

“…Who is the woman with you, Audric?”

[chirclatiaelluka]

Elluka listens quietly, nodding along to his words. It's an interesting idea about how things work in a palace, so she seems to hang onto each word. Then a shrill voice screams, and Elluka's already reaching under a point in her dress for her knife as she turns.

However, seeing the beautiful girl, she quickly straightens up and tilts her head. Seemed like someone related to the boy, but sounded like his girlfriend or something. The mage bows quickly. 

"It's a pleasure meet you, ma'am. I'm Elluka Chirclatia Clockworker, one of Magic Kingdom Levianta's Four Ladies and current Queen candidate! Oh my, that dress really is lovely!" She's all smiles and sweetness now, gushing over the queen while clearly stating that she's not of this time.

[ccrdinal-blog]

     SETH shook his head with a smile – the plan is not an easy one. Being resilient takes great skill and much thinking, but he had faith in her as much as he had his own faith in the Goddess. 

     “I’ll probably visit this world as much as I can to help,” he said, “because I might be able to show you examples of how people behave. It’s nice to be able to trust everybody, but clearly in our cases, it’s not the best option we have. The other two weren’t careful enough, I presume – they got a little carried away, and they felt too safe. You may have to sleep with a knife underneath your pillow as well.”

     He of all people should know – of everyone in the city, despite his vast magical power, he doesn’t know how to unleash it, nor use it. Uncontrolled, dormant magical power is as good as being powerless, and the only thing he can rely on is his physical prowess in fighting.

[chirclatiaelluka]

In only a second, Elluka has the knife flipped out again. She waves it before putting it back.

"Ever since the games started, I've kept this in the same room. When Ly died, I started carrying it on my person. When Milky died... Well, it's in arms reach twenty four seven. I just... Get so scared that someone may try to come at me." At least it explains her reaction when he appeared.

The amount of stress Elluka's going through.. It's a wonder her hair hasn't turned white yet. "If you visit, I should give you my phone number. So you can text me if you're here, maybe meet with me. Wait - do you have a phone?"

[ccrdinal-blog]

     “THINK of your main strengths,” the priest advised - in every problem, there is surely a solution. “You could try to fight back, but people with the [HER] syndrome are motivated with their malice and will spare no mercy. You could try to cure her, but there is a chance that it will fail - in that part, you are correct. But why don’t you try something like this?”

     The truth was, he didn’t know which situation was worse, his or Elluka’s. Both of them were equally horrible in themselves, and he paused for a while in contemplation. 

     “Hold on. Try to hold on until the final selection is over. Stay alive and avoid any suspicious behaviours from anyone – you may have to continue being paranoid even after you’re crowned. If Irina is crowned, I daresay that it’s the end of it all, but if you’re on the throne, you have more authority to control the situation before you.”

[chirclatiaelluka]

It's something she hasn't considered before. Holding on - simply resisting. Something about it appeals to Elluka a great deal. A small bit of work would need to be done, measures taken... But the end would be worth it.

Once she becomes Queen, Elluka can have Irina imprisoned for her crimes. If she can birth the twin children without issue - and she's sure she won't be kidnapped or killed by her husband any time soon - she can put Irina in a straitjacket until she cures the girl.

"...That's a good idea. I think I could do it, too. Never be alone around anyone - especially Irina. Though I can exclude Kiril, since he wouldn't hurt a fly. Watch people more closely and all that, right? That's really good advice, Cardinal. Thank you."

[allenavadonia-archived]

“That would be because we’re in the dungeons of the palace, my dear.” He says easily, a brief laugh passing as he reaches out to place a hand on her back and guide her up the steps. “They aren’t exactly intended for any form of decent visitors.”

He guides her up the steps easily enough, and soon they emerge at the ordinarily decorated golden halls of the palace. Naturally, he would assume it’s nothing too unfamiliar to her, though he would be a fool to think such.

…Also, seeing as he still has the rosary, it doesn’t look as though he intends to return it.

[chirclatiaelluka]

Elluka follows along, watching the scenery change with fascination. The decorated halls were a touch familiar, but only because she had been in Levianta's palace a few times for the project.

Still, this was a touch overdone.

"It's amazing to think people live here. Where would I-- Er, Elluka, be?" And is there a queen? She wants to ask, wants to meet whatever fairytale queen lives in the castle, but also wanted to priortize going home.

[allenavadonia-archived]

“The mage of this time may be able to send you back sooner, if you wish that we seek her out I have orders to do so anyway.” He takes another glance at the rosary, making sure it secured to his belt.

…Actually, now that he moves the cape, he’s had a sword at his right side the whole time. It’s somewhat frightening how easily hidden it was.

“This is her study.”

[chirclatiaelluka]

"Normally, I hear meeting yourself results in a paradox that destroys the universe. But seeing as how the universe is terrible, why not?" Elluka immediately walks out of the study when she hears just what it is, not wanting to be caught by another mage for snooping.

Never ended well.

She pauses and gawks at the architecture, looking around. "What kind of place is this, Audric? It's like nothing I've ever seen before!"

[ccrdinal-blog]

     “SURELY you can avoid your death?” he tried again, this time a bit more insisting. “The project that you’re undertaking doesn’t need to end in any more bloodshed. Bloodshed is only saved for war, not for this.”

     A small bite of his muffin only served to distract him a bit from his thoughts, but it never really helped divert his attention fully from the topic. He trusted Elluka wholeheartedly – probably, it was a side effect from being the priest of her more divine counterpart, but should anything happen to Levia, she would be the first person he’d go to.

     “With all that you promised to do for Levia, I can only offer my assistance to you in return,” Seth said.

[chirclatiaelluka]

Elluka looks at Seth when he insists, frowning. She takes another sip of the tea, savoring the taste, before speaking.

"Let me put it in perspective for you. Imagine being up against a ruthless killer with no feelings, disguised as a young girl called the sweetheart of Levianta. Someone who looks in no way threatening. Imagine that person being the relative of someone you care for dearly, but the one you love can't see her as any less than perfect.

"He absolutely refuses any idea that you and her are not perfect. So, you can't ask him for help. Now imagine anyone who you could ask doesn't care.  So, you have to go against this crazy person alone. But you know exactly what they're like - if they find out you're actively going against you, they'll give you as slow a death as possible. That's how it is with Irina. Because of her disease, she'll destroy anything in her way. Because of [her], she'll enjoy every moment of it. I could fight back. I could try to cure Irina. But what if I fail? What if she finds out? There... Isn't any way past it, I think. If I could avoid it, I would. I want to marry Kiril. I want to be part of a family, maybe even have a child with him. But Irina is in the way."

[allenavadonia-archived]

It takes a bit of effort for him to remain passive as she uses the spell. Events e doesn’t have control over unnerve him, and magic is definitely no exception. Aside from the curled fists at his side, nothing alludes to his discomfort.

When the spell clears, they’re standing in the mages study where he had stolen the rosary. He’s surprised to see her still standing beside him, raising an eyebrow at the woman. Despite his confusion, he betrays no distressed emotion on his face.

“…I’m assuming that isn’t supposed to be part of the spell, is it?”

[chirclatiaelluka]

Elluka peers around, immediately showing pure confusion at the change of scenery. She shakes her head, a frown on her lips.

"No. Aah, hellish. I used a good bit of magic to get you here, so it'll be a time before I can return to my own home." If she could. Magic was a strange thing.

[ccrdinal-blog]

     “THAT’S precisely correct,” Seth confirmed, drinking some of his coffee. “Ly Li is a well-known warrior of our country, and Milky Eights is a noblewoman who is very much devoted to the Ellukan religion. It’s a massive change compared to what is happening here – there are so many opposites.”

     If anything, he wanted to help Elluka the best he can, but she seemed particularly resigned to her fate that it wouldn’t do much to convince her to fight back. 

     “They’ll be selected based on their affinity with the Goddess, their purity of heart and their overall magical power. My mother was the previous High Priestess, but she didn’t have to go through something like this, surely…”

[chirclatiaelluka]

"If Milky were here now, she'd laugh in your face. She's the criminal I was talking about - a prostitute who had once been married to the greatest criminal in Levianta. She was, though, surprisingly sweet." And Elluka still mourns her death.

"Your girls seem rather different from mine, so our connections may only lie with the gods and the Clockworker family. All I can do is wish you the best of luck."

Elluka sips on her drink, frowning. It's all so very strange, to have this parallel world that is so different. But it's interesting too - and while she has few in her own world she can trust, this Cardinal TwiRight has already earned the mage's trust.

[ccrdinal-blog]

     HE accepts half of the muffin in thanks, and upon listening closer about his counterpart, he could only take the information in stride. Illegal experimentation – he himself is still doing things like that, but never on human bodies. As a cleric, he naturally has to experiment, or nothing will get done. The ethics of science are still very much upheld. 

     It’s a secret even Levia doesn’t know, but when the time comes, he’ll show her.

     “If I recall, there is a woman named Irina who’s also contending for the title, right?” the priest asked. “The Irina in my universe is a priestess in the cathedral.”

[chirclatiaelluka]

"The day Irie-imouto becomes a priestess is the day the Hellish Yard itself freezes over." Elluka shakes her head and purses her lips, now curious about the alternative world Irina.

"If she's like me... She'll be pretty proud of her abilities. Might even be able to cure [her] as well. But she's also really slothful, so she'll end up not doing much at all. Not a threat. Do you have a Ly Li and Milky Eights?"

Elluka can, at least, give her priest friend some advice on what may happen in his future.

[iron-violet-shadow-blog]

"Excuse me, sir. I've seemed to gotten a touch lost - could you point me in the direction of Lighwatch?" -chirclatiaelluka

“E-Eh…? M-M-Me…? A-A-A-Are y-y-you t-talking t-to m-me…? U-Ummm… W-W-W-Well…” Steamax stuttered a bit, trying to collect himself. “S-S-Sadly, t-t-the n-n-name doesn’t r-ring a-any b-bells… S-Sorry…” He mumbled a bit.

[iron-violet-shadow-blog]

“…?” Steamax looked at Elluka a bit strangely. “W-W-Well, I-I’m sure y-you have all the t-time in the w-w-world… I-I mean, it’s n-not like you’re in a-any rush, yes…?”

[chirclatiaelluka]

"Like I said, I'm one of Levianta's Four Ladies. I guess you wouldn't know... I'm in a large project for a chance to become Queen, but we have to take many physical exams to ensure we're healthy and that our magic meets a certain criteria. One of my exams will be this evening, so I do need to return."