open your mind ;

eridani maheswari / 28 / witch / c.o.b. graduate, agent of minerva

[eridanithesparrow]

THE SPARROW

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You knew the Great Game and how to play, but in the Tower of Olympia you learned to navigate the channels of states like a merchant sailor learned to traverse the channels of the open tides... Friend of Nightingales, Accepted, and then an Olympian who owed her patronage to Minerva. Wisdom in warfare, you’d never set foot on Iskaran shores, but you intended to see your family safely from their shores without ever needing to. Words whispered back and forth, witches never seen again, wolves flayed under the cruelty of man, and then nothing at all. Silence on the tides. Iskaldrik had fallen and you’d never see your father again.

INTRODUCTION

Eridani Jigna Maheswari / 28 / (Psionic) Witch / CoB Alumnus, Agent of Minerva

Merchant's daughter, nomadic father rode around with a caravan of products. The heiress of a Sinarian Fortune and The Seven fell in love with him and ran away from home, having Eridani with him.

Mother (and baby sister) died, then it was just two. Eridani was extremely close to her father, looking up to him in every way and aiming to be the best daughter and woman possible despite him never putting that pressure on her. Curious and knowledge-seeking from a young age, it was clear she was meant for more than what her father thought he could provide her with.

With the sacrifice of selling a lot, including a priceless but technically very expensive relic of her mother, Jayesh got Eridani into The College of Bards, where she trained for 3 years. After graduating Novice she got into The Tower.

Became an Accepted and eventually an Agent of Minerva. Very much one of the students that didn't stop working and expected the world from herself. She sacrificed leaving The Tower for many years and studying hard, missing her father very much. And then she didn't let herself see her new stepmother and brother until she was finished with her many missions. She tried to get them into Lysara instead so they'd come to her.

Spoiler alert: Her family didn't make it to Lysara. Father and stepmother died in Iskaldrik recently, and her brother (Etienne) has survived but ran and avoided her. She's looking for him now.

Very much regrets having put so much pressure and ambition on herself by sacrificing what she realized matters most: her family, the people she loves and the little things in life.

Still a proud Olympian and Lysaran and will do much to protect her kingdom. (Fun Fact: Neither her mother or father are Lysaran but she was born in Lysara and only claims it. Children of immigrants pop off)

[theportaraceli]

It’s unmistakably uncomfortable to divulge as much information as she has been doing to a virtual stranger, even more when that meant getting to hear her current condition put so very plainly. Araceli had known the details of it, but it is an entirely different thing to have them broken down by another so very keenly. If it weren’t for her half-remembered court training, she would be shifting in place in discomfort. Instead, however, she is pointedly still as she tilts her head and nods at the Agent with her lips pressed into a grim line. 

“If there is a way to fix it, I would like to try it,” she insists with another firm nod. She needs to get her memories back, and she is willing to go through whatever discomfort it will bring. Likely, she would be more hesitant if it wasn’t a member of the Tower offering the solution, but at the very least she knows that their loyalties are the same. “How would the process happen?”

[eridanithesparrow]

Araceli showed very little of her nerves after going through something beyond traumatic; it was clear she had been raised in the bosom of Lysara's Game. But even some nobles had trouble hiding their thoughts and emotions. It spoke of skill and, likely, experience in clandestine matters. An Agent and friend of Nightingales heard rumours - but Eridani had always liked to turn a blind eye to the smuggling of magical Iskarans and witch Astorians. Today had nothing to do with what Araceli had done and everything to do with what had been done to her.

"I will need access to your mind by way of touch and concentration. More specifically, the temporal lobe of your brain. If I notice any physiological trauma, I will need to refer you to a Healer first. Otherwise, I will enter into your memories myself. It is an uncomfortable process, I must admit. You will feel as though you have lost control of your thoughts as I gain access. Unfortunately, it is that the more you resist... the longer it may take. And believe me, I know how that sounds. It is unpleasant, even daunting.... but I will give you full transparency throughout the entire process. For the sake of that transparency, your memories of what happened with the Kossith with be considered for The Tower's own purposes as well. The value of your experience cannot be understated, my Lady. It may help the Agents gather ways of countering the Kossith in the future, Gods forbid that we need it... But you are a citizen of Lysara, and a lady of the Queendom. Our duty is to your well-being and so I promise that we will do all that we can to help you"

She nodded once. "Simply by virtue of exploring the entirety of these memories, I suspect they will be unlocked fully. If that does not work, we can discuss other methods. However, I have full confidence it will be enough."

[lilyliux]

Lily couldn't stay at Haven forever, the war efforts had concluded as Aurea had bravely and viciously fought Arishok Vassan and he was slain where he stood. The survivors of the Dreadnaught had washed ashore and if not, the sea had long claimed them and fish had made homes in their carcasses, their once alive bodies falling into the abyss of the darkness of the waters and their skeletons rested on the sand at the bottom of the ocean floor. Being close to the wilds and the druidic standing stones felt like coming home, coming back to herself and she yearned for the world in between worlds, the arches always called for her and yet there was work for her to be done in Eterna. The court beckoned for her and the Harmonium would only entertain her absence for so long, she was close to graduation, had already endured three years learning at the Collage of Bards and honing her skills in the area of arts and performances, she held the title of Journeyman and had her Patron and Maestro to honor in her studies.

She had kept a sharp ear for Eridani's name to leave others lips, a whisper of the Agent of the Minerva's name that sounded like an amplified echo in talk over ale at the Inn and she was internally attentive when witches of the Tower were mentioned from the Nightingales, careful to not give herself away, attachments were a luxury she couldn't afford. The best thing that she had to look forward too upon her return to the city of Eterna was that she had made plans to see Eridani, her lips curve into a smile when she had seen the Sparrow enter the room. Making her way across the space to meet the brunette, she stopped short and listen to Eridani speak, nerves colored her voice and Lily listened intently, once Eridani fell silent, Lily reached between the divide and ran her fingers through the short locks, comfortable with physical affection and touch.

Her tone is intimate and soft when she speaks. "It looks good, you look beautiful no matter the length of your hair." Hoping to reassure the other. "What inspired the change?"

[eridanithesparrow]

There was shy elation hidden in the brights of her eyes, the twist of her lips the pink of her cheeks. The innocent little touch sent her mind whirling. Eridani exhaled slowly, her thumb rubbing at her index finger. It was a nervous tick, something that the Agent was usually quite adept at hiding. In Lily's presence, however, it was easy to forget that she had any reason to play the part of anyone else. "It feels like my entire life has been... uprooted. I'm still an Agent, and I'm still Eridani... But everything else has changed. New house, Etienne, Astoria, Lysara itself. I can barely recognize myself lately... I just thought my appearance should reflect that. I thought that itwould be kind of affirming when I look in the mirror, if that makes any sense."

She sighed again. "You're such a dear for this..." Eridani bumped her shoulder. "My brother is so busy with the Legionnaires and I've gotten used to having company on such nice days at the market." Her smile was shy. There were, of course, so many other people she could have invited. On paper, it would seem that Eridani had friends in every corner of Lysara. But she only had a small handful that actually mattered. "But no doubt things are coming to a head with graduation so close."

[theportaraceli]

As fragmented as her memory is, practice and instinct remains. Both tell her to be wary of showing any and all weaknesses to those she doesn’t know well. Kay is an exception, as well as a few others, but something tells her she doesn’t know Lady Eridani all that well. Regardless, it is no matter of choice at this point. She is here in an official inquiry, after all, and she has no intentions hiding anything from the crown. Even if even considering speaking frankly feels like an itch she can’t quite scratch. 

“You could say that,” she begins slowly, grimacing as she does. A hand settles on the arm of the chair she is settled in and she begins tapping it as she pushes the truth with great reluctance. She had promised Kay that she would try and find a solution to her current problems, and she meant to fulfill that promise. “During my time with the Kossith, I was forced to take my own memories… Not all of them have returned.”

[eridanithesparrow]

Eridani caught on to some hesitation, reluctance to trust, a promise to a loved one and determination. None of this was a particular surprise, and she could not blame the Lady for being nervous. She was only grateful and proud of her bravery to offer up this information of her lost memory regardless. Eridani halted any more attempts at touching at the surface of Araceli's thoughts, and instead focused on speaking to her.

"As I understand it, your abilities involve a certain level of mental interference and psychological suggestion," she frowned, concerned and sympathetic. Her tone was gentle but methodical. "I can see how the Kossith would have used this to their advantage. In taking your memories, they would have taken away your emotional ties to a life before their influence and make you into a more willing subjugate... I'm sorry this was done to you, my Lady." She took a breath and pause. "... Fortunately, many cases of amnesia, especially of magical means, can be reversed by trained psionic witches... I will only need to assess the changes before knowing if it's within my own abilities."

[eridanithesparrow]

Date: The angst of the Kossith has concluded Location: Probably some nice business district in Eterna city Characters: @lilyliux & @eridanithesparrow Notes: hmm :)

Etienne's second, though truly first, disappearance for Eridani's, had sent tidal waves throughout her life. Frantic, messy plans turned to ash in her hands and the sister was left reeling as news flooded the coasts of Kossith survivors. Her brother had returned home and to his honorable duty, which was both a relief and a sad realization. More so a relief, overwhelming with potent gratitude that Etienne was alive and in one piece despite living away. With that heavy weight of fear, guilt and stress off of her, the once-healthy pounds that had been shed were slowly being regained as Eridani was finding it in herself to take a much needed vacation at home. The stay-cation had consisted of one week away from the current drama. She spent it visiting Etienne, organizing her (recently messy) home and caring for herself again. Healthy food, oils for her baths, creams for her skin, and a hair cut. Lily would only know all that had happened to Eridani and Etienne through the whispers of others.

The length of her thick, dark hair now reached only her shoulders, but that change had required some company and moral support. It had been many years since she had kissed the Nightingale and hoped to fly off into the sunset with her. Duty kept a wing-less Agent grounded, but thankfully familiarity and friendship had survived what had once been their brief passion. Unless it had to do with work, Eridani kept herself at a healthy distance from Lily - for both their sakes. But a true friend was needed, a girl who understood her and who Eridani hadn't already gone to with tears and favors concerning Etienne. She had never gone to Lily with the worries, knowing how it would have put them in an emotionally perilous situation. She had been so sad, so desperate, she feared what she might have sought with Lily if she had come to her. Her friend deserved better than that... she deserved these easy outings at the markets and shopping streets where Eridani could spoil her later.

"I could probably grow it back immediately with some potions and magic. Plus, wigs are so common in high end parties... I don't know. It's comfy. What do you think?" She was somehow nervous, fearful Lily wouldn't care for it. "It's not too much?"

[xdeimosx]

Deimos looked down at the clothes he was wearing, some shoddy bit of metal and armor that he'd managed to get on before he'd been shunted from the ship during the explosion. The runes and tattoos on his body gave him away, so he gave the woman a bit of an "obviously" look when she stated what he was. The wings upon his back folded in and disappeared, and he watched, somewhat relieved, as she took up space besides the body he'd dragged from the water. "Yes. The ships have exploded, many survived, but many did not." Deimos never found the reason to mince his words, "Do you know this witch? Or someone else who can help them?"

[eridanithesparrow]

There were many important questions to ask, such as: 'Can you guess how many survived?', 'Are there any Kossith still alive?', or even the polite 'What's your name and are you okay?' But the druid looked unharmed, for the most part, and there was one question that blew through all her other concerns: "Do you know someone named Etienne? Werewolf, Legionnaire, Iskaran, hair sort of like yours?" She looked at him hopefully, every bit the loved one who needed reassurance, rather than the Tower witch with a job to do.

But she still turned her attention quickly and briefly to the injured party, opting to keep helping also instead of just gaping hopefully at the druid. Examining a bruise and bump by his forehead, she presumed that that was the source of his unconsciousness. "I'm no healer but they're alive, and seems stable, which will have to do for now..." She turned the victim to their side to prevent aspiration and shot magical red, sparkling light signals high up into the sky. A Healer on the look out would surely arrive soon. "Thank you for saving them," she said, taking that opportunity to look back up at the druid, now fully searching his face for answers.

[theportaraceli]

Araceli is a stranger in her own body, and nothing highlights the fact more fiercely than the way that her body moves without command. Instinct, developed through countless hours of training and practice, takes over awareness, and she finds herself returning the delicate bow the witch had offered. Once she does, her lips press together in frustration, as awareness of how out of her depth she is reasserts itself through her nerves at the stange interview. Moving deeper into the room, she chooses a chair that faces the door and sits at the very edge. Logically, she knows she has nothing to hide, but she doesn’t have enough information, and that makes her uncomfortable. 

“I have been told that this is something I would have done, before,” she says mildly, gaze flickering around the room as if accounting for exits despite having been told she was relatively safe all things considered. Small rooms still felt a tad too oppressive, despite the stark difference between this room and the cells back at the dreadnought, and she is already counting the seconds until she can leave. “So I thought it would be best if I came.”

[eridanithesparrow]

Eridani's brows furrow concern, but she seemed more thoughtful than surprised. It had been said the lady was unfit to return to her duties at the moment, recovering from some significant injury from the ship. As Araceli stood tall and strong in front of her, the Agent now presumed her mind was the source of the injury. The worst sort, in her own humble opinion. And so she felt a pang of sympathy.

"Have you been having problems with your memory? Please, have a seat, my lady." Eridani would sit across, eyeing the faiman with professional scrutiny. With a delicate attempt to begin her assessment, Eridani would attempt a sift through the very surface of Araceli's mind - little enough that most regular folk would not feel her very slight intrusion.

[incubusnero]

This is something that is not easy for her, he understands that, Robin had been in less of a state, but still in worried about those that had been taken. Nero himself was lucky enough that he hadn't seemed to lose anyone he knew closely, but there were faces he saw within Eterna that were absent. People he would see nearly every day that had just vanished and taken Cupid knew where. "Eridani," Looking up at her from his spot on the floor he conjures every bit of himself that he could remember from the man who used to hype of knights before a joust. "You're an agent of Minerva, these people have taken your family, and you're going South?" After he'd gone North with her for this twink once already? "I'm heading North with Robin, I'll keep an ear to the ground, but I have my own things to tend to." The phrase errand boy comes to mind, but he doesn't mean to scold her, just warn what she is giving up.

[eridanithesparrow]

"I only need any informative updates on anything relevant in the Wildlands, no physical checks necessary. I know- I know this is no time for you to be taking up more jobs," she said apologetically, leaning forward with hands clasped and elbows resting on her knees. No doubt the Nightinggales and those adjacent, like Nero, were overwhelmed with all that was happening. Then she leaned back slightly again and took a deep breath, shaking her head. "Most of the Agents I know who are working on the Kossith, as I am, are heading to the North. They're all there to do the same things, the obvious things, and I cannot afford to overlook the small possibility that I might encounter Kossith in the South too. No one else will be looking for that because they're all too focused on fighting the darkspawn!" She animately ranted, eyes wide, seeming not to register Nero's disapproval - very uncharacteristically.

"What if the Kossith come for these darkspawn too? If the other Agents encounter in the North quicker and can apprehend one, fine, perfect, then I already have colleagues to teleport me to a designated location in Haven to join them." She stood up, her hands wringing together nervously, her feet beginning to face. "You don't understand, I can't just stand and wait in the Wildlands, just helping those poor wolves pack up to flee-" She winced. Eridani sympathized with them, she did, but she could not help them when the darkspawn were her best option at finding and capturing Kossith, for now. Plan A: The Warriors could more likely help her capture one in the South. On the other hand, if no one was fighting when the Kossith used all their prepared strength and took Haven, she and the other Agents had no chance to grab one there - they were not warriors. And so many, fortunately, were already helping the Feronia pack to flee... "If I get reports of enough friendly and trustworthy elvhen warriors arriving to help Haven... I'll probably take the diplomatic risk of Avalonians or Silverlands residents dying on my watch," she murmured, mostly to herself.

"That's only if the wolves truly run. If the wolves stick around to fight, then I'll have the opening I need to capture a Kossith there." That was Plan B. She started nodding to herself, still pacing and wringing her hands. "But if they don't and there's no elves for to convince, once the Kossith capture Haven, I'll take them off guard with other Agents in secret... I will get a Kossith one way or another." She breathed out slowly, stopping her pacing. "One way or another," Eridani repeated, mostly to reassure herself. "That's why I need to know if Queen Aurea assembles a force to fight instead of flee... I have the strong Plan B ready for that." And Plan C, and Plan D. Plus, the semblance of a Plan E in the making. "I'll be in the North at the drop of a hat. I already pulled favors for the teleportation - there's no time to travel." She brushed her hand over her lips, thoughtful and silent for a moment.

"I just need to finish. My most trusted Nightingales friends need to be reminded of the plan, just in case, and I need to check on the Agents involved in the North if there's any updates on Queen Aurea's mindset..." Distractedly, Eridani made her way to Nero and planted a kiss on his head - a typical sign of her gratitude. She had given him no time or room to question the tumultuous amount of information she had just spat out, for she had no mental bandwidth to question herself. But despite how emotional, distracted and almost manic she seemed, she wouldn't forget she loved him too. "Thank you... Please, you and Robin stay safe. I'll be in touch soon." She rushed out, wringing her hands once again.

[eridanithesparrow]

Date: Recent days Location: The Tower Characters: @theportaraceli & @eridanithesparrow Notes: Cutesy interrogation/ soft questioning time

"My lady," she greeted with a delicate head bow. "Thank you for making it here so promptly." Eridani opened the door of the office completely, gesturing for Araceli to enter. There would be cushy chairs and even a sofa with pillows; the faiman had the choice to sit anywhere she wanted. There was also snacks, water and wine imported from Bacchus. "I know you must be keen to leave this all behind you. I won't take up more time than I have to." Agents used these offices for questioning, but Eridani liked to make sure that the one she used was always warm and welcoming... as though every conversation here was no more than that: a simple conversation.

Even the most vile of criminals might misunderstand that they would be treated very well when they got to her. However, in this case, Araceli had not a thing to fear from the Agents. Eridani acknowledged her own bias in believing wholeheartedly that the young faiman was only a victim in this, just like Etienne was. At least this time she was completely sure her bias and sympathy was not going to be in the way of the truth.

[xdeimosx]

Location: The shoreline near Aventia Notes: how the turn tables (open to 3 people thx)

His wings of starlight had easily taken him to safety, narrowly avoiding certain death. The Kossith had gotten what was coming to them, when the alarm had been sounded that there was no hope, all could just dare to use their magic and pray to their gods that it would work when it came to protecting themselves. The body Deimos dragged was that of a witch, unsure if the person was alive or not. Still, Deimos pulled them from the water, releasing their body when they were out of the shallows.

Another figure approached, though he wasn't sure if they were from the boat or had seen the explosion from land. "Tell me good news – otherwise, pretend I was never here."

[eridanithesparrow]

After hearing that the wolves would be fighting the Kossith, the Agent's initial plans were rendered useless. The witch had made her way to the Aventia immediately, assisting in the fighting efforts in any way that she could, hoping to capture a Kossith during the battle. Whether or not she did was not important because, as soon as the news hit her that there had been an explosion on the water, she had never traveled so quickly in so little time. With the help of other Tower witches, Eridani had made her way to the coast within minutes.

A drenched man with light hair in the distance caught her attention and she rushed forward to them, eyes wide with hope. It wasn't who she had hoped it would be. But he dragged a body, and so Eridani approached nonetheless. "You are... a druid," she observed. The Agent knew details of those that made interesting news in their kingdom with dangerous quests - as it was her job to know. But his name did not come to her, not in this moment. That he was a safe person was enough for the witch to lay down some of her guard as she knelt down by the body he had dragged. "Were you-" She took a deep breath, caught between her personal desperation for information and helping this victim. "Were you with the Kossith?" She checked for a pulse on the unconscious, but addressed the druid as she continued glancing up at him every few seconds.

[incubusnero]

"Now is not the time for me to give you a life lesson about how those without plans and aspirations are seemingly far happier." He looks from the flames in the fireplace to her and turns enough to be able to reach out and squeeze at her shoulder gently. For as much as Nero would like to think he cared about very few people, the ones he did care for, he felt for them deeply. Eridani was in that category and yet he watched her study and go off and do whatever she could to better her future, to help other people. "You do so much for others." His tone is soft, he doesn't think he can do comfort, but he can do quiet and he can do motivation. He'd quelled the anxieties of knights about to go off to battle or joust or do something foolishly heroic. Was this not a battle? "Always studying, always lending a hand. Which leads me to believe that you will not sit here idly."

[eridanithesparrow]

Eridani was silent for a few heartbeats, trying to lose a stubborn breath that felt trapped in her chest - like there was something heavy pressing onto her. Finally, shuddering, she exhaled slowly and nodded. Mustering the semblance of a smile, simply an effort to show her strong appreciation, Eridani looked towards Nero and squeezed his hand in return. "And you're right," she said quietly. "Not for a second." Even now, she was packed up and waiting for her last contact to send her what she needed to travel to the Astorian border. But Nero's belief in her gave her a renewed energy that had a more genuine smile appear on her face, if only for a moment. Her eyes shone with the threat of tears.

"They're sending me to Ardentgate... I'm only going to stay as long as it takes me to see how these two things might be connected. I suspect Kossith might show up to take Astoria too, with the darkspawn descending, and... and if I can just interrogate one." It was a long shot, but the alternative was lingering around Haven and waiting, while the wolves left their home, and the Kossith arrived fully armed and ready to fight. Once the Kossith finally took Haven uncontested, she'd return to take them off guard while they were just starting to build their defenses. She'd get a prisoner on her own if she had too - but it was better while they were distracted and believed themselves victors. A complicated plan, but Eridani had never been simple.

"But I'll need steady and quick updates from the Wildlands to know when to go... Can I count on you?" Nero, not just a dear friend, but a contact of her's as well, would know it was not necessary for him to be in the Wildlands, but to simply facilitate her receiving the information that came out of it in whatever way he saw fit. "This is the most important thing I've ever done and... I can't trust anyone but the best people around me."

[travelervesper]

who?: open to all || capped at 3 replies where?: near the astorian border when?: in the liberation timeline

There was no material gain to Vesper answering the call. With encroaching threats from all sides, the magisters were one of the few forces reminding people that a descent into chaos would not be tolerated even amidst the turmoil. So long as the queen stood, so did her law. Yet he answered the call. No payment, no quid pro quo, just resolved acceptance of the Tower's request delivered without protestation or negotiation, much to the Sitters'—and Vesper's truth be told—surprise.   He was not one for the front lines, but he remained fighting in Southreach despite how the darkspawn's numbers seemed unending. Watching, waiting, laying traps and taking them on one at a time; against darkspawn, this was about all Vesper was capable of, but his support of more powerful witches hadn't wavered since he arrived in the region. "Another trap has sprung. Three darkspawn this time, though you should move fast. I can feel my threads ripping…" he said to the other from his perch, his spool of weaves between his hands twisting as he willed his threads to constrict more around the darkspawn he ensnared. "This isn't burning you out, is it? I can handle them myself if so. I can see another horde making a beeline towards us from the east. You're better equipped to handle them than I am." Vesper was a pragmatist, not a hero or even a man with honorable intentions. Still, as dead-eyed and weary as he may have looked, when he peered eastward, his demeanor remained steely. Even if the other fled, he'd find some way to at least slow the darkspawn advance. He was there and he was fighting. "If you're at your limit, you may as well regroup with the Tower's main forces now so I can start preparing."

[eridanithesparrow]

Eridani put a hand on the younger witch, the one with whom Vesper was speaking so kindly to. She smiled and nodded once to them as they turned their head. "He's right. Go on. I can take it from here." She waited until the other had started walking before replacing their vigil on the wall. She took steadying breath and released her magic, pulling on the Weave and joining the strength of Vesper's threads with her own. The battlefield below was a clusterfuck of violence and stress that the Agent was hardly keen to join in, but, when not among the strategists, she could at least do this. Otherwise, the only battlefield that she would cast herself in the very midst of was the one with flowing skirts, wandering eyes, music and whispering voices.

"A commendable act of understanding," she commented, her eyes on the task at hand. A keen ear, such as one her fellow Agent would likely have, Vesper could probably catch the playful edge of disbelief she left there deliberately. A keen eye would also be able to tell that Eridani's face was strained with lack of sleep, and the memory of frantic stress - all things she was normally much better at managing and hiding. Her strength in magic, at the very least, was clearly still fresh and ready for action. "But don't let your exhaustion cloud your judgement. Agents work alone... unless the battlefield is an actual battlefield." Her Tower mentor had taught her that, a woman who had been more suited to violence than Eridani was.

[incubusnero]

Person: @eridanithesparrow Location: Her place, the floor He is there for moral support, just as he'd been the first time there'd been trouble for her regarding her family. The fireplace burns and Nero had perched himself in front of it, nearest Eridani's chair, and he wishes he could say there was a tension in the air. What hangs there instead in the room with them was a kind of weary sadness, surviving the fall of Iskaldrik and the Kossith felt like two very different things in terms of stakes, which would be morbidly hilarious if he wasn't worried for the woman at his side. "What will you do?" He asks, looking from the flickering flames to the witch.

[eridanithesparrow]

Her chin rested on her knees, arms wrapped around them. "Anything," she murmured, staring sightlessly at the flames in the fireplace. They were burning on the logs that Etienne himself had cut up and left for her to use. This would be the last nightly fire that she'd light, no matter how comforting it was to look into the peacefully dancing flames. She could not stomach the idea of the pile of lumber outside getting smaller and smaller until there were none left that Etienne himself had brought to their home.

Eridani finally seemed to gather himself and her head turned , looking over towards Nero with somber eyes. She did not hide this struggle from him, for he had seen her go through it already. Though last time, she had been more frantic with energy - this time she looked nearly numb from the strain of all the emotions and all the fear she felt. It was different this time. This time she loved Etienne more than she ever had, having been able to see her brother in person, to hug him, to press kisses on the muzzle of his beloved wolf and cook them both meals that she'd learned to make... To have stood proud and worried as they both left for Caer Glas Keep.

Her eyes burned but she remained composed as she kept Nero's gaze. "All the learning, all the training, all that we suffer in life to be become better and stronger versions of ourselves... Gods." She huffed and turned to look at the fire away. "What the point of it if you can't even protect the people you love most?"

[eridanithesparrow]

ETIENNE ULVEN, THE RUNNER

When the thorn bush turns white That's when I'll come home I am going out to see what I can sow And I don't know where I'll go And I don't know what I'll see But I'll try not to bring it back home with me (x)

@etienneulven

[eridanithesparrow]

Date: Recent days, after Etienne is kidnapped Location: Eridani/Etienne's home Characters: @agentamulius & @eridanithesparrow Notes: From #plot-calls reacts <3

"Exactly right," she murmured, watching Gulizar pace while she recounted the information Eridani had just given her. Eridani had already recieved Guli's side of intelligence, and her head was swimming with all the information they'd exchanged. No doubt that her sister in espionage felt the same way. However, Guli could have no idea how terrified Eridani actually felt. Or, perhaps, no one else would know except the woman that Eridani saw as little less than a sister. Her best friend could likely see it in her face and hear it in her voice better than anyone, better than even Etienne would have been able to. But would Gulizar be able to truly understand? Eridani could not sleep, she barely ate, and it had been days since the usually professional Agent truly focused on anything that wasn't the Kossith and the prisoners. Her frame was lighter, her face was paler and her usually perfect composure was cracking. There were other responsibilities to look into, parties with political figures and nobility to attend that she was expected at. The Agent could do none of it with the grace she usually held. Her head was in a worse place than it had been over a year ago, when Iskaldrik had fallen and Eridani had been searching for a way to find out if her bother had even survived the fall.

Now, it was more personal than it had ever been - even then.

Gulizar's incredibly keen and quick understanding of the situation and the information they had should have helped Eridani feel better... after all, she had a fierce ally at her side. But it did not. Nothing could make her feel better while she knew Etienne was somewhere she couldn't reach - once again. "I think... I think we need outside help with the Kossith. Ankhuria is truly lost to us then?" Eridani, if anything outside of Eterna, usually only dealt with Astoria. She knew nothing of their relations with Ankhuria. "What do you know of it?"

[eridanithesparrow]

Date: Recent days, and you can pick if it's before or after the Ankhuria quest (...if he survives) Location: Eterna Palace? Characters: @agrcn & @eridanithesparrow Notes: From #plot-calls reacts <3

"Well, you look like you're all back in one piece," Eridani observed, stopping in front of the Red Knight. "I'm very glad to see it, Ser." She glanced over his shoulder, smiling as though she was looking for someone; all the Agent was truly doing was making sure no one was being nosy. "... I would like to speak with you, if you have the time."

[chroniclerelris]

Many back in Avalon would call Elris fascination with mortal history a hobby, one that he should only focus on in his spare time. And by many he ment his sister, she never understood it and probably never would but at least they were on speaking terms. It sparked passion in Elris to learn about these countries all so different in their view point of the world, and he wanted to learn how they had become so splintered. Taking the seat beside her Elris got comfortable but this woman was interesting also because he could tell she hadn’t finished, it was all in where her eyes had been on the page but she had lied, why? “I was brushing up on my knowledge of the royalty here.” His mind was sound but there was only so much he could remember. “I was going to look into Iskaran royalty next, well that is if you don’t beat me to the book.” Perhaps they could read it together but that might be a bit much for strangers.

[eridanithesparrow]

Eridani hadn't brushed up on her elvhen intelligence in a while. She knew the High Elve's name, and his place among the nobility of Avalon, but little else. A Chronicler of his people, a master of memories. All of it was superficial information, however intriguing. The truly useful information could only be found within the primary source itself, if she was able to hold his attention long enough. After her conversation with Lily, Eridani was certain she needed to ingrain herself more thoroughly within elvhen and druidic society. None of it was meant in malice. In fact, she hoped to help them, these important citizens of Taravell. It was her job. The Agent could not feel guilty as she dressed her face with gentle, welcoming smiles and bright eyes that were less genuine warmth than they were strategic. For now, he was merely a stranger. It was a necessary collusion to look at Elris as just a piece on her constantly shifting game board.

There was nothing but an air of welcoming warmth about the witch, even as she carefully allowed some of the surprise that she felt to show on her face. "Is this purely academic curiousity, or duty? You're a long way from Avalon to study human royalty, Chronicler." Eridani portioned off some of her knowledge of him carefully, offering honesty like a hand of friendship. "Though you have, fortunately, come to the right place. And the right person," she added, her smile turning playfully shrewd.