House Tramoc

A work of Fiction based on a Roleplay Characters  in Guild Wars 2.

[talesofinfami]

Surprise!

It had taken a few days for Haylee to arrange the meeting. She’d had to let the people at the Temple of Kormir know she was going to be gone for a while (they had completely understood why), then send messages to her old friend and coworker.  (Thankfully, Axis and Amara made getting messages to anyone, anywhere, relatively easy. Ghostly messengers were ridiculously efficient and effective at finding people and delivering things.  Better than birds or even clones.)  Then had come the complication of finding a day and time that both of the others could meet.  After which, a location had to be chosen, somewhere out of the way that wasn’t a tavern, where the three of them could meet…

…. four of them.

Now, the three adults sat around a table in Amoon City, staring at the fourth, each of them holding their letters in hand and thinking the exact same thing.

“WE’RE MOMMIES!”  Makayla blurted out with a short bit of laughter.

Okay, maybe they weren’t thinking the same things.

Keep reading

[housetramoc]

A little OOC.  I don’t tend to write Daddy Tramoc, he bothers me.  It’s actually why he went into a coma almost three years ago.  Wow...three years it’s taken me to be able to come to a point where I needed to write him in all his horrible.  When I first put him away it was for many reasons, one of them being that I was concerned how others would see him and therefor see me.  Did I really want any of the potential icky that would possibly spring forward from him?  No, I didn’t.  I wasn’t ready myself to write anything from that black place in my brain, I certainly wasn’t ready to deal with anyone that might get upset or take offense at what I was choosing to write.  Many things happened over these three years that changed that.  I am a stronger person, I have watched many people go out of my life and some for the better of it and some still cause me sorrow.  I have renewed and made good solid friendships that lift me up and cause me to contemplate things around me and seek to push boundaries.  I have an amazingly supportive husband who helps me weave my way around the cray cray in my head and get it out of there and sort through things logically.  

And lastly but certainly not least, I learned.  I learned from reading and watching some wonderful people around me RP that in the end it doesn’t matter.  We write what we need to because that’s what wants to come out for whatever reason.  That bad things happen in the world and they should and can be addressed by art (sorry that’s basically what this comes down to for me).  Write what we want with no apologies and if it doesn’t agree with people and they have already been warned then they need to own that themselves not lay false blame where it doesn’t belong.  Thank you my lovely IRL and online friends for teaching me this and helping me understand the darker side of things and recognize that need and validate it.

@lordrathan @theironnorn @talesofinfami @thefreelanceangel @house-leours @luxelen @veegreene

[housetramoc]

The Patriarchs sense of humor

Please be aware below the cut involves domestic situations that some might find boarding on uncomfortable. 

Leila awoke slowly, her head still feeling a bit fuzzy, her vision still blurry as she tried to take in where she was.  Attempting to move her hands she found them not only still magically bound but she was bound as well.  She blinked a few times in an attempt to bring things into focus with no such luck.  Inhaling deeply she could smell earth and damp, she could feel the cool air on her face but no breeze.  She paused and tried to reach out magically to anyone just in case her bond with Haylee could surpass even the magical bindings she knew of only two people who would wish her harm.  Her Father and The Faceless...neither of them were good options for her, it was then she felt movement by her feet.  Almost a tickle at first as something lightly danced along her toes, she strained to lift her head up and look.  Every so slowly they began to move over her feet and skim along her legs she could feel the bile starting to rise in her throat as she realized what was now crawling along her skin.  A shrill scream pierced the air as she felt them move further up her body her breath coming in ragged gasps she lost control of her bladder and sobbed frantically.

Smiling to himself upstairs Thomas set down his drink and stood up slowly smoothing a hand over his suit.  Pulling on the cord next to his desk a servant quickly appeared eyes cast down and hands clasped in front of her, the faint markings of correcting still blemishing her face with purples and yellows.  “Tell my sister that our guest is awake.  Once you have done that see to cleaning my office and making sure everything is ready for my next visit down to see her.”  He moved to leave and paused by the door a moment, “Also tell your sister I am ready for her to attend me.  I assume she knows the way by now if she isn’t there before the next bell there will be consequences to be met by both of you.”  Closing the door behind him he set off for a stroll in the garden to clear his mind training new servants was something he despised having to do.

@talesofinfami @lordrathan @theironnorn

[housetramoc]

Pulling the collar tighter around her neck she inhaled deeply enjoying the cool, crisp air around her as she set off to get the last few things before tracking down Haylee.  Having decided she couldn’t think of a better person to spend Wintersday with she was on her way to find her, a note sent to Al inviting him to join them if he wished and as to where she was so he wouldn’t worry.  Enjoying the seasonal time of year she wasn’t paying attention to the crowd around her as she moved from stall to stall and into a few shops.

The two men lingered as they watched her silently communicating through hand signals and appearing to be just like anyone else out in the market area this time of year they waited...patiently.  She turned down a quiet street and they moved in behind her, raising a small blow-tube to his lips one shot a dart forward and watched as it buried itself in her arm, while not deadly it would give them the precious time they needed.  The small blonde rounded on them raising her hands before realization took hold that she was falling.  The two men moved swiftly shackling her hands before swiftly searching her and removing and destroying anything that might be the LnK.  Stripping her of her own clothing just in case they tossed her in a loose garment and wrapped her in a rough cloak.  Picking her up and cradling her they then poured gin on her and rubbed ashes in her hair.  Hoping anyone seeing them would assume the trio had been out drinking and they were returning her home.  “What about all this stuff?” the second asked as he looked at the gifts strewn around the cobbles.  “Leave them remember what the woman said we need to get moving”  Moving back out of the quiet street they melded in with the crowd loudly singing Wintersday songs and laughing as the went.

Crouched over the workbench of her lab, Makayla St. Croix dragged her attention away from her latest project as an alarm code bleeped from her central monitoring station.  The code itself was specific to an LNK, which meant either Alex, Leila, or Haylee had done something so incredibly dangerous, it had managed to crack the casing of the comm device... something that wasn't exactly easy to do.  In fact, it almost had to be deliberate.

"The fuck happened now?!"  Makayla muttered in concern as she unfolded long legs, stood, and crossed to the console to get the last data sent by the LNK.  That data told her who, when, and where... and she didn't even hesitate over what to do next.  Haylee and Alex needed to know... NOW!

Just north and east of the Harathi Hinterlands, in a region of the world few people even knew how to get to, Haylee's head whipped around to gaze south and west, as her heartsister's panic flashed into her awareness, followed by a foreboding silence.  Rising, she stared at nothing, only vaguely hearing the words of concern from the young woman who had been visiting her as she followed the bond she had to Leila, and tried to revive the woman from a distance... to no avail.

Haylee eyes returned to the young woman nearby, even as information was relayed through her LNK, telling her what she already knew.  "Kohana, I need to ask a favor of you.  I need to return to Kryta.  As soon as possible"

@talesofinfami @lordrathan @theironnorn @luxelen

[housetramoc]

The Matriarch glanced at the men standing before her and appraised them carefully.  Not her first choice but with limited time, finances and availability she had to make do with what she had.  She moved from behind her desk leaned on it as she spoke holding out a sketch of her niece.  “This is your target, you are to talk to no one about this and you are not to take her while she is crowded area, with someone else, or in Olivia's Refuge.”  

She paused a moment as they took the sketch from her and looked it over. “She is small but do not take that to mean she is an easy mark.  You will need to shackle her hands with these as quickly as possible.”  She held out a set of manacles that shimmered with magic, pulsing all different colors. “They will bind her magic, be assured that if she starts to cast anything you will not get close to her and most likely will end up being interrogated by her brother or that crazy St.Croix woman.   She will have a transmitter on her that will alert that same woman to her location and her distress.  Find it and destroy it and leave that area as quickly as you are able to.  I can not be certain what it will be, she favors a hairpin, or a necklace, do not think to make yourself a quick bit of coin by keeping it and selling it.  If the St.Croix woman doesn't kill you rest assured that I will and it will not be quick or painless”  She gave them a slight grin before continuing, “ Divest her of any weapons she may have on her, while I am loath to give you permission to search her person you will need to.  Keep in mind if you harm her or think to use her for your own pleasure before handing her over I will not only find out, but you will wish you have never heard her name once all is said and done. Once you have accomplished that you will bring her to me, payment will be rendered one week after the job is done to ensure that nothing goes awry.”

She crossed her arms as she finished and glanced at them one final time. “Any questions?”  They both shook their heads in response as one of them tucked the picture away. “You may go, I expect to not hear from either of you again until you bring her to me.”

[housetramoc]

The Matriarch set the missive down and clicked her thumb and pointer finger nails together on her left hand her mouth pursed tightly her displeasure rolling off her in waves.  The insolent whelp banished her, for the second time she had been politely “asked” to not set foot in her ancestral home by it’s current Lord.  He had also petitioned and been granted full title and rights to do so considering his Fathers current state and condition.  She rose and moved into the adjoining room where Thomas rested, now awake but still in need of recuperation.  His eyes opened slightly as he watched her pace while he weakly propped himself up.  “Tensey, what is vexing you now?” he let out a long suffering sigh much like his daughter tended to do.

Swiveling she turned and smiled sardonically at her brother “It would appear that your son has seen fit to banish me, with a yearly stipend as well to assist in your care.  He feels that my time is better spent looking after you than it is ensuring the Houses rise.  He has also been granted full title and rights under the grounds of your long comatose state.”  She tossed the letter on the bed and continued to pace.  Thomas glanced at the letter a moment raising a brow before a hand casually flicked out thin tendrils of magic licking out to the servant cowering in the corner whimpering taking a deep breath he recalled it back to him bringing with it small bits of life force.  “My son has always had one weakness and you know what it is.  Bring me Leila and he will be brought to heel.  Get past those friends of hers, bind her magic and have her brought here.  From what we already know I doubt they would notice her absence, the Rathan Heir is no longer involved with her, the Roses are busy with attempt to become a City State, and the White Mantle is knocking on everyone’s door.”

 “I am not sure it will be as easy as you seem to think it is Thomas, but it is the best course we have.  Rest, I will bring some actual food up to you in a short while.”  She leaned down and in one of her rare loving gestures placed a small kiss on his brow before departing the room.

[housetramoc]

Squinting her eyes shut she grimaced and twitched slightly, she needed to find someone to help her break this link.  There is no way she could keep going on with these emotions, nor would she vouch safe his passage again.  Taking a deep breath she gathered a shield around her that would help keep most of this at bay before setting off to someone she hoped could possibly help her...and if not might know someone who could.

[housetramoc]

The man on the bed fretted and move violently as if caught in the throws of a nightmare, she got up from the desk and moved to the chair beside him smoothing her skirts under her before she sat.  “Shhh just rest let the waking come slowly, don’t rush it my dear the world will still be here when you wake.” she placed her hand on his brow and felt the thrumming of his life energy coursing through his body urging it to wake up.  “Soon my brother, soon and we will set our family back to rights.  Her pale green eyes narrowed as she thought about her niece and nephew and how quickly they would come into line when he awoke.

[housetramoc]

A fairly fresh winged creature flails around near you for a moment, clearly it is not used to its task but a letter is certainly being delivered to you.  Thankfully while this one smells freshly killed it certainly doesn’t smell rotting.

My dearest Luxelen.

I have heard recently of all the new issues arising in the area that your refuge is currently housed.  I would like you to return my niece to my care with haste.  I have requested Leila return home personally but my message must have been lost.  I am trusting that you will see her safely returned to the bosom of her much loving family.

@luxelen

[housetramoc]

*The usual half dead creature flies over head seeking you out, screeching once it spies you and swooping down offering you a letter in it's rotting beak, this time there might be a bit of a smell...  

My dear Mr. Travers                                                                              

 I trust this letter finds you well.  I am writing to request an update on our current business affair and request another job from you.  The details on this matter are of the most sensitive of nature, please let me know when you are available to discuss them.

@thefreelanceangel @house-leours

(we can totes do most if not all of this over Tumblr as I know that Cristi can’t game right now!)

[housetramoc]

[housetramoc]

Taking out a sheet of fresh paper Leila sat down at her desk and quietly drummed her fingers for a moment before writing.

Dear Lux,

We are yet unsure what the results of last night were, we are hoping our solution works.  Haylee had many suggestions but the most viable one was to try and build a shield of some type.  Closing the portal in any way could possibly end his...current existence.  He seemed not as feral after we finished so that I suppose is a good thing.

I asked Haylee to bond herself to him through her blood so that she could track him should this ever happen again.  She agree and started the process, however when she attempted to get the required blood from him there was none.  There was a thick blood ooze that seemed to kind of blob out of him, the smell was rather disgusting as well.  Jenny and Bobby can confirm this as well should you need it.  Haylee is not only certain he is no longer living in the regular sense, but also that he is a construct being controlled by someone else and that the portal is possibly part of that as well.  He feeds on life-force, she suspects if he stays in his cell currently he has about two days left before he would do whatever passed for death in his condition.  He would need a constant supply of life-force as it also seems to be draining out him.  I have asked Haylee to stay and assist us with this, she has agreed.

I am certainly not one to say ick, or be put off by strange things growing up in the family that I did, but I will say there are a few alarming things here.  I am unsure at this point if your friend is even aware that he is even a construct.  I am also unsure exactly how long the shield I constructed will hold.  Should it fail then he could once again return to think we were tasty snacks or he could simply start following whatever orders he was given.  There are choices that will have to be made and I certainly don’t envy you them right now.  I have not spoken to anyone else about this as I feel that could do more harm than good in the end.  Jenny and Bobby are aware as they were still there but I am sure you trust their discretion.  Haylee will keep things to herself as well.

Please let me know if you have any questions, I plan to stay on in the Canyon with Haylee for the foreseeable future.  Should you have questions for Haylee herself you can most like find her taking over a kitchen making wonderful tasting things for everyone.  

May Lyssa give us guidance in this troubling time.

Leila summoned a clone, put the letter in an envelope, scrawled URGENT along the front of it next to Lux’s name and sent to clone off to find her.  Rising for a moment she pulled out two or three texts and set them on her desk noting the one she wanted wasn’t there.  She quickly penned a list and attached it to Trek sending him back to the Estate to find her brother.  She would rather know more about what they were dealing with at this point and while her Father wasn’t exactly above board...his collection about the topic of Necromancy was still one of the best around.  She let out a long suffering sight and started paging through the texts she did have making notes.

@luxelen @talesofinfami @gulmontjonty

[housetramoc]

Thankfully Haylee

Leila snuggled into her bed, hair now free of tangles thanks to Haylee’s gentle brushing and her hand healed just leaving a faint scar of teething marks on it.  Upon returning to the Canyon Haylee had gone with her as she checked the stones and replaced them quickly to give them a bit more time than before. Haylee had set wards around her room to strengthen Leila's own wards so that she might be able to get a decent nights rest which they were both going to need.  She was glad she had been able to connect with Haylee, if anyone knew how to get rid of piggybackers it was her.  Settling down into the bed she wrote a quick note to Lux appraising her of the situation before sending it off with a clone and then closing her eyes and focusing on sleep.

“Lux,

I have a friend with me in the Canyon who might be able to assist us.  I know you are busy, do you wish to be there with us when we attempt this or should be just proceed without you?  I will do as much as I can to try and help your friend.”

Lyssa bless you.

@talesofinfami @luxelen @gulmontjonty

[housetramoc]

Leila looked up her face pale and drawn and her clothing wrinkled as the Ghost appeared and nodded taking the message, her rump firmly planting on the ground that was the least of her worries at this time.  She ran a hand through her disheveled hair before taking a breath.  She turned her head back to the task at hand after reading the note.  “Tell her thank you and I will write when I can, and there is no need to tell her what I currently look like thank you very much.”  She watched as the Ghost made his way off with his usual smirk.

Before she could go back to the task at hand another missive arrived from Lux who was on her way, relief washed over her quickly and she summoned a clone and sent it off to her rooms to bring her back her scepter and foci.  Once having those items in her hands she began to renew her efforts with more strength to keep whoever it was down there as calm as possible and maintain her shield as well.  “Lyssa please grant Lux swift passage.”

@luxelen @gulmontjonty @talesofinfami

[housetramoc]

Shaking her head a moment she pulled her hair back from her face, she could feel whoever it was relax a bit but not nearly enough.  She had to find Luxelen she quickly summoned a clone and sent it to her room to bring back paper and pen for her.  While she waited she sent out a few mental pings soft, obvious to whoever was down there that she meant no harm.  She just didn’t feel right someone in that kind of torment, she had her own demons she knew well what they could do someone.  The clone reappeared and she quickly scrawled out two notes.

Lux,

I am in the canyon, something is SERIOUSLY wrong with someone here.  I don’t know exactly where they are as I decided to not follow the trail all the way down for my own safety.  I can’t exactly tell what is going on...but whoever this person is, they are...emitting emotions that would make a normal person go insane.  I have attempted to sooth and relax them and it seems that is has worked a bit.  I would suggest that whatever they did, or whatever is going on it happen quickly.  Regardless of what is happening you don’t strike me as the type of callous person who would wish a slow descent into madness on anyone.  I can try to help them this way for as long as possible for me, or I can also work with you to try and solve whatever issue is going on if you wish it.  The clone can lead you back to me in the canyon.

 Haylee,

I know you felt it, I am fine, not sure what exactly I am doing...but I am fine.  There is someone in the canyon that is going mad...I will write when I know more, for now I am doing what I can to attempt to keep them sane.  Please stay safe.  All my love

She sent the clone off first to Haylee and then to Lux before she resumed her gentle poking and probing woven in with her lullaby.

@gulmontjonty @luxelen @talesofinfami

[housetramoc]

Empathy sucks

She woke with a start and flew upwards in her bed, there had been lots of things she had felt during her time in the canyon...but never anything like this, and never anything this strong.  She hastily grabbed some clothing and didn’t bother to brush her hair, frustration, despair, and madness were piling up onto her.  Taking a deep breath she strengthened her shield back around her till she could focus, the emotions just a few simple tugs on her now.  Running a hand through her bedraggled tresses she left her rooms, she was aware that there had been lots going on in the last while.  She might hermit in her rooms but she wasn’t completely out of the loop.  The only thing she was uncertain of was WHO these emotions were coming from, but something was seriously wrong with someone.  She could follow the emotional tug and see where it took her, or she could attempt to find Luxelen...she took another steadying breath and whispered a quiet prayer to Lyssa to give her strength before she took her path following the emotional trail of messy and seeing where she ended up.

As she grew closer she could hear the soft lullaby that someone was singing, everything growing stronger, she could also feel two more sets of emotions as well...regret, anger, confusion?  It was hard to tell everything was jumbling around her.  She sat down and crossed her legs taking yet more deep breaths before she started her own quiet lullaby, more precisely the one she had used when Haylees mind was shattered along with her soul, she projected a soothing feeling with it something to calm and relax.

@gulmontjonty @luxelen @talesofinfami

[luxelen]

After alerting Korlynn of Aleyanna’s capture and the preparations underway to form a search and rescue team, the socialite felt guilty.  She knew what the sylvary went through recently when she disappeared to find a friend.  But she also knew Korlynn was one of the organization’s best trackers, and along with her sylvan hound Twiggy the two would be a great asset to the rescue party.  And Korlynn perhaps would feel the need to pay back the favor.  Lady Denton was instrumental in the search for the sylvari when she was missing.  This was not the time to worry –it was the time to act and seek help from all willing allies.

Which reminded Lux there was one last letter she needed to send before setting off for Camp Resolve and meeting with Aleyanna’s Pact squad:

Dear Leila, I hope this missive finds you well and in good spirits.  By now, there’s likely a chance that rumors of a Thorn captured by the White Mantle have been circulating throughout the Refuge.  We are pulling no stops in putting together an search and rescue team, and I was hoping we could count on Lord Rathan and your organization to assist with our mission. Details of the missing person and the circumstances can be learned from my associate Lady Alissa Lepre or from Agent Flixxa.  I’d meet with you myself, but I have a few things to take care of and get this under way.  My apologies for the brevity of this letter, I hope you understand. Thank you in advance, and may the stars light your path, ~Lux

She sent the lavender-colored envelope with the nearest available mail carrier and set for the Green Place’s nursery. Clinging hard to Talia and Mavia, she kissed the two sleepy babies and whispered a farewell.   “I’ll be back as soon as I can, and hopefully not empty-handed.” After tucking them in their cradles, she turned to the old Canthan maid, who held a stern expression.  Lux knew the maid all too well, aware that her severe nature translated into worry and not disapproval. “Miss Pei, take care of them for me.  And do not let Saffron spend too much time around them.  But do let them see her.   Should anything happen, any emergency, use the home stone.   You know what to do.” With a final glance toward the cradles, she headed to her private chambers and prepared for her trip to Camp Resolve.

(( @naishala  @jmariegw2ooc ))

[housetramoc]

Leila let out a long sigh as she read the letter, as usual she was behind again.  She set it aside and quickly penned to identical notes to the contacts provided.

“Please excuse my late reply  I have recently returned to the Canyon and found a note from Luxelen about needing some assistance.  I hope this opportunity has not passed already and please find that I am at your disposal should you need my assistance.

Sincerely

Lady Leila Tramoc”

She quickly set about sending the missives to who Lux had directed her to and hastened back to her room hauling down her pack and digging through it looking for her notebook to take inventory of the items she could currently access.

@jmariegw2ooc @renniecartwright

(thanks vmuch @gulmontjonty! )