oh, sweet retribution...

the revenant written by jaqi

[necremant]

NECREMANT . . . 

the revenant   of elden ring's   nightreign. revived  by  jaqi  •  21+  •  she / they  •  p.s.t.

〖 about. 〗❀〖 rules. 〗❀〖 memes. 〗

[necremant]

daphne mending clothes and such for other nightfarers with the iron menial. daphne sitting with recluse and guardian while they read in the library (she's playing her lute very, very quietly for them). daphne keeping duchess company on the balcony, talking without looking at each other. daphne keeping ironeye company on the cliffs while he practices distance (helen is competing with her crossbow sometimes). daphne watching raider on the shore and keeping count of his boulder lifting / throwing (to talk about at the table later). daphne and undertaker enjoying the breeze from the garden path, watching the skyline. daphne helping wylder with the polish and keep of his blade, watching iron menial and executor in the garden. daphne recollecting about the paintings on the walls with executor, keeping him company as he paints, or letting him paint her. daphne listening to scholar's latest curiosities or letting him record new aspects of her existence for his study. daphne and the nightfarers as a whole and all the little things in between...

[necremant]

thought about how daphne's kisses might feel since her mouth moves and has a type of satin finish and then came to the conclusion that she probably kisses very rarely but does do very strong forehead presses. nobody touch me.

[somedaywewillshinetogether]

[veilwaltz]

[jamsmemes]

(     *     BETWEEN SHADES OF GRAY PROMPTS   !    

——     ruta sepetys.

❛  have you ever wondered what a human life is worth?  ❜

❛  sometimes there is such beauty in awkwardness.  ❜

❛  was it harder to die, or harder to be the one who survived?  ❜

❛  i’m thinking of you. are you maybe thinking of me?  ❜

❛  sometimes kindness can be delivered in a clumsy way.  ❜

❛  don’t be scared. don’t give them anything, not even your fear.  ❜

❛  love reveals to us the truly miraculous nature of the human spirit.  ❜

❛  i planted a seed of hatred in my heart.  ❜

❛  only then can we ensure that this kind of evil is never allowed to repeat itself.  ❜

❛  you stand for what is right, without the expectation of gratitude or reward.  ❜

❛  we’re dealing with two devils who both want to rule hell.  ❜

❛  what was life asking of me?  ❜

❛  a wrongdoing doesn’t give us the right to do wrong.  ❜

❛  good men are often more practical than pretty.  ❜

❛  they’re wrong. and don’t ever allow them to convince you otherwise. ❜

❛  paint it as you see it.  ❜

❛  let’s just say i’ve met a lot of dead people.  ❜

❛  it was the one thing i never questioned. i wanted to live.  ❜

❛  our sense of humor. they can’t take that away from us, right?  ❜

❛  god grant that we are all together again next year.  ❜

❛  a guilty conscience is not worth extra food.  ❜

❛  why are you breaking your beautiful things?  ❜

❛  evil will rule until good men or women choose to act.  ❜

❛  you think of nothing but yourself.  ❜

❛  can it really be so hard to die?  ❜

❛  what if we were digging our own grave?  ❜

❛  success meant survival. failure meant death.  ❜

❛  i wanted life. i wanted to survive.  ❜

[jamsmemes]

(     *     THE RUNEMARKS SERIES PROMPTS   !    

——     joanne harris.

❛  a thing named is a thing tamed.  ❜

❛  in any case, fire burns; that’s its nature, and you can’t expect to change that.  ❜

❛  the dead know everything but they don’t give a damn.  ❜

❛  i speak as i must and cannot be silent.  ❜

❛  what happened to the presumption of innocence?  ❜

❛  anyone can be a god if they have enough worshippers.  ❜

❛  what’s a name? wear it like a coat; turn it, burn it, throw it aside, and borrow another.  ❜

❛  was it my fault that i got out of hand?  ❜

❛  anything that can be dreamed is true.  ❜

❛  nothing dreamed is ever lost, and nothing lost forever.  ❜

❛  when lies don’t help, try telling the truth.  ❜

❛  when lies don’t help, tell better lies.  ❜

❛  if i’m going to die today, the least i can do is look fabulous while i’m doing it.  ❜

❛  we’re gods, not saints.  ❜

❛  everyone lies. everyone cheats. everyone scores off everyone else.  ❜

❛  after all, words are what remain when all the deeds have been done.  ❜

❛  words can shatter faith; start a war; change the course of history.  ❜

❛  a story can make your heart beat faster; topple walls; scale mountains.  ❜

❛  change isn’t always comfortable, but it is a fact of life.  ❜

❛  the difference between a god and a demon is really only a matter of perspective.  ❜

❛  i sensed that this was an experience i would want to avoid as often as possible.  ❜

❛  always look on the bright side. and if there is no bright side? look away.  ❜

❛  they tell you revenge isn’t worth it. i say there’s nothing finer.  ❜

❛  an apple a day keeps the doctor away. no one’s immune to bribery.  ❜

❛  with the right words you can build a world and make yourself the king of it.  ❜

❛  the dead know everything, but don’t give a damn.  ❜

❛  most problems can be solved through cake.  ❜

❛  clever folk aren’t popular, by and large. they arouse suspicion. they don’t fit in.  ❜

❛  there’s good news and slightly less good news.  ❜

❛  even the damned can dream — in fact, it’s part of their torment.  ❜

❛  a man often meets his destiny running to avoid it.  ❜

[jamsmemes]

(     *     JOYLAND PROMPTS   !    

——     stephen king.

❛  when it comes to the past, everyone writes fiction.  ❜

❛  life is a roadmap.  ❜

❛  even when what you’re holding onto is full of thorns, it’s hard to let go.  ❜

❛  that’s what kills you.  ❜

❛  all i can say is what you already know: some days are treasure.  ❜

❛  sometimes the prizes are real. sometimes they are precious.  ❜

❛  people think first love is sweet, and never sweeter than when that first bond snaps.  ❜

❛  that first broken heart is always the most painful, the slowest to mend.  ❜

❛  what’s so sweet about that?  ❜

❛  love leaves scars.  ❜

❛  passing time adds false memories and modifies real ones.  ❜

❛  when you see the darkness creeping toward you, you hold on to what was bright.  ❜

❛  you hold on for dear life.  ❜

❛  if a man wanted to be in charge of his life, he had to be in charge of his problems.  ❜

❛  i’m not sure anybody ever gets completely over their first love.  ❜

❛  part of me still wants to know what was wrong with me. what i was lacking.  ❜

❛  it doesn’t have to be the last good time.  ❜

❛  i’ve discovered there’s a lot to be said for boredom.  ❜

❛  nothing screws with memory like repetition.  ❜

❛  we rarely get what we imagine in this world.  ❜

❛  this is a badly broken world, full of wars and cruelty and senseless tragedy.  ❜

❛  the gate is the key to the kingdom.  ❜

❛  the devil can quote scripture.  ❜

❛  unrequited love does have its attractions for young men.  ❜

❛  what’s a self-respecting amusement park without a ghost?  ❜

❛  several times we had been very close to “it”, but “it” just never quite happened.  ❜

[tavvoc]

Chloe & Daphne

[pinkwitchcult]

No matter how I yearn

[necremant]

▿The first thing Daphne would notice upon waking up in the inn of Bel'ameth, was the fact she's been surrounded by various pillows, blankets, and bedding. the second thing she'd notice are the four whelps that surround her, chirping and chattering away to each other in draconic, as another, deeper, gentler voice responds whenever they speak into the air.

A green whelp sleeps restlessly in her lap, tossing this way and that in bids to try and get comfortable, as a Dracthyr makes his way into her periphery, holding a plate of twice-baked potatoes. A peace offering he is only half sure will work.

"Hello to you." Thenash rumbles, a careful eye watching for any signs of distress, from both Daphne and the whelps. "How're you feeling?"

((woa, dragons be upon ye))

Daphne's first thought was   How strange to be asked how I feel,   as though it is sure she feels at all. She knows she is very clearly, very obviously something artificial, something meant to be inanimate and yet is very quite not. She does not breathe, no, but she does live. Still, strangeness to her aside, she remembers her manners and replies as kindly and quietly as she can manage   ( one hand making a gentle attempt to soothe the restless whelp in her lap meanwhile ).

       ❝ Fine. ❞   Though her reply is curt, her gaze is as warm as glass could convey.   ❝ Were you the one to bring me here? ❞   Because Daphne knows she did not bring herself to such a place. Though she cannot remember much, she is sure she might remember coming upon dragons in all her wandering. Lashes bat as she looks from him to the platter he holds. It almost feels silly, having to say   ❝ I do not need to eat. ❞   but letting him continue carrying the potatoes felt rude.

       ❝ I do, however, need to know where I am.   - Please. ❞

[necremant]

@frenzie. ⸻ °｡

Knowledge that Daphne is sure may be more useful to else at the Hold than her, but knowledge she'd have him share with her regardless some other time. It isn't so much that she dismisses Thiollier's politeness as she does mean to reassure and placate. It, of course, is presented with a bit more bite than intended, but such was the doll's nature.

       ❝ Kindness should not be done with expectation.   - Quit fretting. ❞   Another slow, gentle glide of the comb and the Revenant does all she can not to pull through the nots, to use nimble and delicate fingers to pluck out what debris prevents smooth passing. She would not be satisfied with only the bare minimum. Silken locks would be restored, even to their fluffy and perfect braids, no matter how long it would take her. It was the least that could be done on her part for his kindness, weightless as he might think it to be. It would always remain important to her. It would remain something for her to repay despite the sentiment she'd just implored upon Thiollier. Still...  it reminds her in her hypocrisy to, at least, offer some forgiveness.

       ❝ You may brush mine in turn if you feel so inclined. ❞   Another pull, soft but insistent, and she believes she's achieved the cleanliness desired. One, two more passes and the comb slips through silken locks like a breeze. Daphne would smile if her painted lips would allow. For now, the warmth to her voice would have to suffice.   ❝ Just a little more... Then I could braid them together again... ❞   As though making the declaration to them both. Daphne does not rush the rest of her movements. If anything, she is finding peace in the slow method. Rhythm in the long, relished sweeps of the comb. A reminder of some distant memory. A remembrance that brings a fondness to her hollow chest.

In no time at all, she's finished. At least with the brushing. She reaches then to offer the comb to Thiollier, motioning for one of the hair ties instead.

       ❝ If you still feel unclean, we can bathe. ❞   Deft hands work apart their hair in sections, taking her time to smooth them out as she begins weaving them into braids.   ❝ I do not mind doing your hair again, either. It'll be easier to clean anyhow, now that I've combed it. ❞

[garden-angelica]

⇢His chin rests in his hand as he leans his arm against the table, folded knuckles hiding the line of Vash's mouth as he stares past Milly, who was kindly trying to talk his ear off about something he'd reluctantly started to tune out halfway through. His mind too preoccupied with other matters he would not want to bog her down with.

One such matter being the girl he's currently staring down from across the room, An almost spitting image of Vash, with the only exceptions to this being the way her features achieved a dainty kind of softness and her joints very much that of a doll. A Delicate Thing reminiscent of a creation only his brother could concoct, clothed in the same blue and white the aspiring tyrant favored oh so much.

An attempt to recreate Vash in an image that only Knives would approve of.

Before he's able to brood for one minute more, Milly's cheerful face invades his line of sight. "Mister Vash, are you alright? Meryl's asking if you want any desert!" She chimes, all kind happy smiles with her mind only on sweets. 

Next to her, Meryl only huffs. lightly tapping the back of her hand against Milly's arm. "It's dessert, Milly. And you were the one asking him about it." She pipes up, looking at the dessert section of the menu in her hands regardless. "I don't think we have enough to get something for all three of us..."

Vash lets himself smile as his hand falls away, attempting not to alarm his friends with his mulling. "Oh, I'm fine!" he chimes right back, turning all his charm back on almost instantly as he straightens his posture, all of it a show to placate Meryl and Milly's constant worries. "You girls don't have to get me anything else, I'm stuffed!" He amuses, letting out a kind, quiet laugh as he starts to stand, taking the moment to stretch himself out with a hum. "You two should head back and start packing up. I'll meet up with you later"

After a moment of light bickering, Meryl begrudgingly pays for their meal and leaves the bar with Milly in tow, mentioning something about finding Wolfwood and preparing to leave town. All of it much to Vash's relief, there was no knowing what the stranger he'd been watching so carefully could've been capable of.

Speaking of which, Vash makes his way over to her. That bright mask of a smile still plastered on his face as He approaches with the confidence of a man high strung about his very own existence. "Hey, are you waiting for someone?" He questions her, sitting down in front of her regardless of the answer. For, regardless of if someone was in fact here with the doll or not, In his mind, something just had to be afoot.

How dangerous that something was would be unknown, and the exact reason Vash had decided to come to her first instead of letting it unfold passively.

@necremant

[necremant]

There was nothing but the hum of her own thoughts behind Effigy's perfect blue eyes, glossy and painted such a beloved hue, it was almost a shame they were only a replication. An attempt to reclaim something her Creator felt owed, felt he had once owned and wanted back in whatever way possible. There's a moment where the doll considers tearing her very eyes out from her cast form and smashing them into the filthy floors below her, just to spite their crafter. It would be in vain of her own revilement, and that is the only reason she withholds. Instead, she keeps her gaze distant to nothing in particular, letting the bustle and business of the bar she's found herself in to bleed around her peripheral in blurs of movement and colors out of focus.

She considers having to ask around for transportation, for ways off and away from where she ended up. She needed to get farther and farther still than that to truly feel she's ran away with any success. Though the world has shown itself to be the disgusting, desolate, and diminishing place  He  had warned her about, it has also become infinitely more promising than the gilded cage she was intended to remain in. It would be better than whatever fate was determined for her, out of her reach and realization. Although everything has been varying degrees of uncomfortable and unpleasant, Effigy knows there will be more still for her to discover. She knows if she is found again, she will be returned to a luxury that would suffocate and kill her more than any physical death here in the wild ever could.

Matter of fact, she wouldn't be surprised if any person in this bar could be her undoing at any minute. She did not want to believe so easily what she's been told of the world and it's people, but it was hard to simply forget, to not pass the judgement that has been inscribed into her porcelain and fibers. There is a movement of bright, burning red and for a moment, Effigy pulls herself out from her nothingness to look.

She regrets it almost immediately.

There is solace she finds in the fact she cannot emote, because she's sure she would've embarrassed herself, or at worse given herself away.  It's his face.  It's His face...

Though this man is such a mirrored reflection, there are differences. Uniqueness and warmth to his voice and a disarming calm in his eyes that lowers the defense that had risen her shoulders.   It's his face, but it isn't him...

       ❝ No. ❞   Plain. To the point. Factual. Effigy isn't sure yet if she can trust this one, but she knows acting rashly would only get her in worse trouble... so she remains still.   ❝ Why would it concern you? ❞

[zcrayas]

" No, not really far, I would say." Rya points, guiding their gazes towards the western cliffs ascending from the frame of the lake. For a bird the distance would be nothing. The two bound on the ground would have to rely on the old routes, twisting and turning around the elevating terrain. A little walk, none the less, some climbing to shorten the travel.

" I have seen him up there many times. I assume he lives near the royal manor. We cannot see him from down here but... We might be just in luck." We. The smile spreads over the rosy cheeks. " You do not need to worry. I'll guide you there."

The serpent maiden radiates excitement of being part of this quest, already planning their following steps in silence of her mind. Both small palms press together, pointed nails up underneath her chin: "And maybe... maybe, I could then treat you with some tea...? or even a safe place to rest at my home. Since we are heading up north, anyway..."

[necremant]

There's a hum from the doll, short soft and resolute, as she nods towards their destination. When Daphne returns her gaze to the sweet, smiling Rya, there is a remnant of that resoluteness behind finely crafted glass eyes.

       ❝ You will guide us.  I will defend us. ❞   Or, rather, she would defend them with the employed help of her family, if absolutely need be. As much as Daphne trusts her own skills, she knows not what threats crawls these hills and hollows. She would not put her ego above the protective will of her family. With that decided, Daphne minds the lyre tucked against her hip, shucking it a little up against her bodice for a better grip. She watches the way Rya moves, the hue that blooms with her smile, and for a moment wishes she could smile for the girl, too. Daphne can only hope there was enough warmth to her sculpted expression for her to know she was contented with her company.

       ❝ If it won't be any trouble, ❞   Daphne minds her manners, ever the shadow of the polite little lady she once belonged to. Rya deserved that much from her, she thinks. Especially to offer respite and tea.   ❝ I would like that. Very much. ❞   Though, of course, they'd have to finish their trek north first. So start their journey they must. A turn, and Daphne lingers with a step, waiting to follow Rya's generous lead.

[somedaywewillshinetogether]

vintage victorian style leather flower lace up heels

[fifthdimensicn]

Aquila's keen eyes study the intricacies of Daphne's artificial form. It is not the first time that he's looked over her jewlery, her attire, her hair, and, of course, her finely-crafted face he would do anything to protect from further cracks. He then directs that gaze skyward, and sighs wistfully.

"I miss it dearly," he admits. His broken wing, its Ictarus-inflicted wound scarred over long ago and function only a memory, seems to droop more than usual. "To fly is to be freed from gravity's cruel shackles. The feel of the wind through my feathers and upon my armor, and using the current to rise or fall as I will... mere running cannot compare, my friend."

[necremant]

Up does she turn her gaze now, watching as intently as she listens. Daphne may not have a mind the way others do, but she swears she could see and feel the great incomparable freedom of flight as Aquila describes for her. It puts a pang of longing into her chest, an ache she feels  for  him to be without. Gentle, Daphne extends one of her delicate fingers, running her touch reassuringly along the spine of his feathers.

       ❝ Could there be hope to fly again? ❞   Nobody could say she was as miserly as she put herself out to be. Just like the others, she had such a heart as to have hope.   ❝ Even if not soon...   could it be again at all? ❞

[zcrayas]

" ...Oh, I understand. I do have something precious I wouldn't wish to lose, for any price. It would be devastating", admits Rya, hands cross beneath chin, right on top of where the cameo rest under layers of clothes. There was only one of a kind. Gifted by lord Praetor to his beloved, then on gifted for Rya, to have her mother close, even if they were apart. She could imagine herself being upset, even if there were dozen of them. She now studies the broken pieces with empathy. Even manor has a vast collection of different rings, earrings, circlets, necklaces, bands and brooches but never have the creators of such pieces named. Some ancient, many commissioned to fit lord's preferences. Yet she cannot recall any creator named, not even one behind the necklace she dearly carries.

She suddenly remembers at least someone familiar to metal and fire. Up on the cliff she has seen a huge smith wielding an enormous hammer, lost in thought before an anvil. Even Rya can tell such equipment would be terribly ill-fit to work on delicate medallion. Then again, who is she to judge the book by its cover? Who knows what he could do! Or, the better if he had connections to share. If he was no help, then her mother might know for certain!

"...I might know... someone we could ask.". she reveals, bringing her hands behind her back as she playfully swings from heel to toes. " Are you certain absolutely no one knows how to make these. Were these a gift?"

[necremant]

Daphne finds some comfort, at least, in her understanding. An appreciation for the delicacy of Rya's empathy. After another mournful moment, Daphne finally lowers herself to pick up what's left of the precious medallion's pieces. One by one they're placed into her palm, still mostly arranged into their places together until she closes her fingers around them and holds them close to her chest within her little fist. Just as Daphne was going to accept her grief, she turns and sees a particular light in Rya's face, watching as she begins her hopeful suggestion. Thick lashes bat, expression unmoved and yet warmer all the same.

       ❝ Without a doubt am I certain there may be nobody left. ❞   After all, she herself had been all that was left of her once proud household. Not even their name remained, let alone the remnants of their craftsmanship. Only Daphne. Her hands lower again to her middle, medallion still clutched into one fist and held protectively to her.

       ❝ It was in fact a gift, as I was made with the same intention. ❞   One, two small steps and that hopefulness shines in her crystalline gaze. Her chin is lifted so she might see Rya directly, attention spotlit upon the kind girl.   ❝ Would this someone be far?   - I am still unfamiliar with your lands and would not like to get lost... ❞