I think making Vylad the middle kid of the Ro'meaves actually takes away from their dynamic considerably, especially Zane and his specifically. Also any time I see someone doing that, it's usually to benefit Zane's story in some way, when really, he doesn't need more intrigue than he already has
Vylad in MYS being the one to skip a grade back in Highschool makes sense and I'm tired of people saying it should be Zane that's the overachiever. You're telling me it makes more sense for Zane, who was (let's face it) coddled by Zianna his whole life due to his sickness and eye injury as a kid, to feel like he needs to do well academically and prove himself? Zane doesn't want her doting attention on him, he actively avoids doing anything that would put the spotlight on him in a positive manner. He wants to destroy her view of him so she'll leave him ALONE. I think people genuinely forget about that, because he was such a different person in MCD
While Vylad has been consistently ignored by everyone in his family, ESPECIALLY his parents. As long as he isn't breaking rules, they don't care. Of course he'd want to excel in academics, he wants even a sliver of the attention Garroth or Zane gets on a day to day basis. As much as he may joke around or make comments about how he likes the attention not being on him 24/7, there's still going to be a deep-rooted pain and jealousy that he's considered less than his brothers just for existing.
And also the idea of Garte making Zianna have Zane last as a sort of "fix" for the affair baby that Vylad is.. also doesn't sit right with me? I wouldn't put it past Garte, but just, something about the idea doesn't make sense for everyone's characters except his?
And then in MCD it equally doesn't make sense!! I'm not kidding, it actively takes away from Vylad's character for me. Backstory wise, him being the youngest means he's /expendable/. O'khasis only knows him for his death, they wouldn't care otherwise. Garroth is the heir, Zane's in case anything happens to Garroth, and Vylad- is there, and ultimately pretty ignored
And I know we love Zane, but I've seen a few people make him the youngest in MCD so he could look up to both Garroth AND Vylad but. Not only does Zane, again, not need more intrigue than he already has- but ALSO I think Vylad being the one to look up to both his brothers is objectively more heartbreaking? Imagine looking up to your two older brothers your whole life, growing to know you're worlds apart in importance- both to the world and your parents. Knowing you're just a spare part and a mistake.
And then it takes dying to realize what a bad person one of them is. You can't tell if your resentment and pain is because you're now an unnatural being- still, not meant to exist. Never meant to exist- or because you're right to be angry.
Him being a middle kid that Zane looked up to would mostly take away from all of that, for me anyways
ANYWAYS, this got really long I'm so sorry 🙏 (also if you do make Vylad the middle kid in your rewrite I don't like- hate you or anything, their dynamic just isn't as interesting to me unless you give Vylad some new source of interest)
Do you prefer to read books in English or Polish? What if the original is in another language, do you choose the English or Polish translation? Or do you read both?
I assume there are practical considerations like, has this book been translated into Polish? or, is it easier to get one version than the other where I currently am?
Oh it turns out the monoglot deer had a lot of questions... I hope you don't mind being interrogated
I do love monoglot deers! They're always welcome here!
I shall now reply in a polyglot ancient deer language- that is- put it in my own words!
Okay so- If I have an access to a book that's written in English I will most likely purchase it in English- when it comes to Provence detective novels, however, I bought six of them in Polish (as they were two times cheaper!) but the parts 7-9, I own in English- they haven't been translated to Polish yet so there wasn't a way for me to buy them at lower price.
There are also books which I would... Well, I would sooner DIE rather than read them in Polish- reading "Pride and Prejudice" in Polish is...well... Quite a different experience XD
There are also! books that I read in Polish but I NEED TO KNOW THE ORIGINAL- "Revenge of The Sith" for example. Still would love to read it in English but my heart has been buried deep down since I read the novel...(nostalgic music)
BUT!
When it comes to quite sophisticated books e.g. "Atlas Shrugged" I would prefer to read them in Polish as the subject would pretty much occupy my mind and I would have my hands deep in trying to make the sense out of the book bahhahah, so yeah
BUT!(OR AND!) BUTAND THEN!
There are some BOOKS- this feels like a cheap story in which I repeat the phrase and a chapter STARTS THE SAME WAY BUT HUH XD
Russian novels. Those I read only In Polish- I don't know Russian language that well yet, need to get back to learning some da-s, but there's this Slavic feel to it and I'm sure that translating it to English would make the story(no offence of course!) loose some of this unique, picturesque, Slavic theme, let's call it- that's why I read "White Nights", "Lika" or "Karamazov Brothers" in Polish.
Oh, and POLISH BOOKS! ONLY read in Polish! Translating them In English ALWAYS MAKES ME GO BAHHAAHHAHA😂
FUNNY STORY
I started reading "Faust" In German and managed to read 6 pages.
By which I mean, Tom King was on ComicPop discussing Supergirl! So we have CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND INFO! WOO!
Gonna get into it below, but my recommendation, as always: the best way to have an informed opinion is to get the info firsthand, so don’t just take my word for it! Go forth! Watch the thing! (Language advisory, though. There is some swearing.)
Okay. With that out of the way, LET’S GO!
Gonna lead off with a summary of the Supergirl bits, as they discuss a variety of things, from Strange Adventures to Batman/Catwoman to the canned New Gods project:
How Tom King came to be the writer of Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow:
King’s longtime editor, Jaime Rich, was moved from the Bat books to the Super books.
King, historically, likes to take on characters that ‘need help.’ He cites the example of Kirby who, upon coming to DC, asked what their lowest-selling title was, which is how he ended up on Jimmy Olsen.
So, when King asks which character needs help, Rich, to King: Supergirl. We have trouble selling that book.
King, describing Supergirl: ‘She’s singular in a way Mr. Miracle and Vision are not.’ Says that if you ask any four year old who Supergirl is, they know.
Editors asked him, ‘what’s your take? what are you gonna do with her?’
King then discusses the difference between his approach to Bat people vs. Super people.
Bat people: It’s a deconstruction approach. King brings up Kite Man from his Batman run. You tear the character down and build them back up, a la Dark Knight Returns
Super people: It’s not about deconstruction. Let them be themselves. They’re wonderful, let them be wonderful.
But he does mention sort of stripping down the character to their purest form; he describes it as chiseling off the barnacles that have built up on the character, over the years.
Additionally, he says ‘evil doesn’t work for the Super family of characters.’
He mentions Superman: Up in the Sky. He says that there’s deep stuff in Up in the Sky, but the theme of every page is simply: Superman is awesome.
King: “I don’t want to make Kara mean or sad. I want to test her.”
The host compares ‘angry Kara’ stories to ‘evil Superman’ stories in that there are many of them, such to the point that people think Kara is relatable because she’s miserable and angry all the time.
The host: I don’t get that.
(Same dude, same.)
King talked to Steve Orlando
They discussed the fact that Supergirl knew her planet; the people who died were her friends, family, classmates.
King summarizes Kara’s original Silver Age origin: she witnessed three huge, traumatic losses of life. First, when Krypton exploded. Then again when the Kryptonite started killing Argo residents, and then again when the meteorites destroyed the lead shielding that was keeping Argo safe.
King: “That’s some f-ing trauma! I don’t know if you’ve read my books, but I love the trauma in characters.”
King thus describes Kara as world-weary, she swears, ‘she has seen some sh*t’.
On the new character, Ruthye:
She’s a child on a vengeance quest.
She’s named after King’s niece, Ruthie.
The pronunciation for the comic character, though, is Ruth-Eye.
One of his sons told him to add the ‘e’ on the end to make it look cooler.
Further discussion of Kara herself:
King noted that there’s sometimes a tendency to be very precious with the character.
King: ‘Let’s not be precious with Supergirl.’
This is not the story of a sixteen-year-old girl discovering the world; King says that Supergirl has been that sixteen-year-old for a long time now.
He describes it more as a move from Supergirl to Superwoman.
Art and Influences:
Talking about the red sun planet that Kara visits for her twenty-first birthday, King says he was reading a lot of Conan, which influenced the look of that portion of the story.
The impetus for getting Evely on the book: King said his editor emailed him, ‘Hey, how about Bilquis?’ King: “And I did a happy dance!”
Evely sent King a mood board of the types of things she wanted to draw; Moebius, Kirby, Wally Wood, landscapes in particular.
Also, King says Evely is fast! She’s already halfway through the book, art-wise, and King is confident the book will release on time.
The host asked him, following up on King’s description of the book as a fantasy/western, ‘Is this True Grit?’
King: “It’s True Grit inspired. The novel AND the movie.”
If asked to give the Hollywood pitch: ‘It’s True Grit in space with Supergirl as Rooster Cogburn.’
Details about this book, as compared to Other Tom King titles:
He’s using captions on this comic--he’d thrown out captions as a storytelling device after Batman, but he found a ‘good voice’ for this comic.
King was prepared to do his usual twelve issues, but they said no one buys Supergirl comics, so it’s eight issues.
King says that Strange Adventures, Rorschach, and to a lesser extent, Batman/Catwoman, were written at a time when the world felt very apocalyptic.
He considers them to be angrier books; they are about what happens when evil is in our life, and how we deal with that.
Supergirl is the start of the ‘next generation’ of titles.
It was written during the pandemic, but King hoped that by the time it was released, the pandemic and this very dark time in our history would be past.
He says it’s a ‘roaring 20s’ book. Not about anger, or trauma, it’s about stepping into the future and kicking a**.
THUS CONCLUDES the Supergirl portion of the interview.
Okay, so! Now that we’ve been objective and presented the information in a straightforward, unbiased manner...SOME THOUGHTS AND OPINONS!
The thing I was most curious about was how King got the book, so I was EXTREMELY PLEASED to get the full story.
This wasn’t like. King desperately wanting to do a Supergirl book, nor was it DC coming to King like, ‘Take Supergirl!’
Sadly, it was, ‘which book needs the most help right now? In the Superman lineup?’
He even said that Supergirl was kind of just sitting around, no one was doing anything with her/there were no plans.
(So the idea that King stole this opportunity from a woman is not true. There were NO PLANS.)
(Also it’s not based on the FS stuff, I suspect they gave the FS team some ideas from his pitch to work with, as that entire event was sort of a stop-gap/fill-in as they hurried to relaunch their line.)
Anyways!
My initial thought that this is DC’s attempt to sell some dang Supergirl books? Not that far off! XD
Boy, I hope it works.
(Important to note: This is not news. Supergirl has historically always sold poorly. I’ve heard from actual Supergirl writers that the trades do not sell, which is a huge problem.
So King, who is KNOWN for having really good trade sales, is as solid a gamble as they could probably hope for.
He said Superman: Up in the Sky is his third best-selling trade. A WAL-MART BOOK! Is just behind Vision and Mr. Miracle!
Basically: If this doesn’t work, I don’t know that anything will.)
As for the specifics of King’s take in particular!
Again...I really want to see it, before I pass judgement on it.
I liked the Andreyko run! And that was pretty edgy!
Also, we have never seen a twenty-something Kara, post-Crisis. She’s always been a teenager. Thus I’m pretty willing to go along with this approach because it’s entirely new territory.
And it does seem like King is enjoying leaning into the idea of a Super who swears and kicks butt and is just a little ‘done’ with it all.
It might not mesh with my ideal Kara but again. I need to see it, before I come to any firm conclusions.
Honestly the thing that gives me the most pause? Is that King says this book really focuses on Supergirl, not Kara, which is a more recent identity for her.
(That is somewhat true! The ‘Kara Danvers’ identity is wholly new to the show; she’s always been Linda Lee, Linda Danvers, Kara Kent, or Linda Lang, when she has a secret identity. Sometimes she doesn’t.)
(Also of note: Tom pronounces it ‘Care-a’, like the cartoon.)
(PERSONALLY I like KAHr-a, like in the show, because it creates a phonetic consistency with ‘KAHl-el’ but that’s not really relevant to a comic book. You can mentally pronounce it however you choose! XD)
So, yeah, I like the Kara Danvers part of her identity, I like earth-bound Supergirl stories, but. This isn’t that. Which I’ll need to make peace with, I guess. XD
Otherwise? Tell me a story, Mr. King. Even if I hate it, Evely will draw it beautifully, Lopes will color it masterfully, and that’s half the battle, right there.
I’m sad King didn’t mention the Gates/Igle run! But I also understand he’s probably been looking at more recent stuff; those Gates/Igle comics are fifteen years old, oh man, oh geez, how are they that old already.
King did confirm that this is 100% in-continuity, and will affect the character going into the future.
But, IDK, given the sort of. Grim beginnings of how this book came to be, what with the reminder that the Supergirl title doesn’t sell well...who knows what the future will look like, for Kara!
I stand by my guess that Kara will graduate to ‘Superwoman’ and the Supergirl mantle will pass to someone else, maybe Ruthye? She might be a bit young, though.
Mmm. What else, what else?
Oh, this is pretty funny, IMO: when King first teased the new character, Ruthye, a bunch of SG fans rushed to google to see if there was any clue as to like. What it could mean.
And they freaked out over some obscure connection where that name appears but hey, turns out! It’s just a made up name! Based on King’s niece!
It’s funny because SG fans never learn, man. Just chill out, read the dang book, then get all upset and huff and puff and blow your twitter house down.
They briefly mentioned the Peter David run; King said the PAD stuff was great.
He’s already teased that ‘treat’ and, okay. Time for some rumination on that specifically.
I’ve read the whole PAD run. It wasn’t my cup of tea, I don’t really like the DnD, angels and demons stuff. Also, it wasn’t Kara; it’s an entirely different character who uses the name ‘Supergirl.’
Also, stuff from that run didn’t age well.
And on top of that, PAD turned out to be...kind of a jerk! As so many folks in the comic industry are.
There’s also...an extremely weird, mean-spirited vibe through the whole back half of the run; I thought maybe I was imagining it at the time, but I recently went back to “Many Happy Returns”, the final story arc of the title, and David’s introduction in the trade...it doesn’t read like a guy who was in it for the love of the character, you know?
All of which to say! I’m not excited about connections to the PAD stuff.
But I know a lot of fans who love that run, love that version of the character.
So like. Eh! Not for me, but to the folks who enjoy it, I hope it’s cool/fun, whatever it is.
(Still think it’ll be a variant or an easter egg or something, but we’ll see.)
(Oh, hmmm! Evely *did* post a WIP of like. Some creepy skull gate that they presumably encounter...hmmmmm.)
Okay, this is crazy long, and there’s no fun art or anything to go with it--OR IS THERE?!?!?!
BOOM. From Bilquis Evely’s twitter today. (GO. FOLLOW. HER. FOR THE GOOD ART.)
(LIKE!!! I look at this and I just! Can’t! Bring myself to not be hyped as all heck! LOOK AT THIS! AND iT’S JUST THE PENCILS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
God, wish that Supergirl sold better, so we could get a full year of this. HNNNNGGGGGGG.
Oh! That was another thing King discussed in detail; that 8 is way different from his usual 12, in terms of pacing and story. The beats fall at different places (obviously) so it was a bit of a challenge for him.
Actually, now that I’m thinking about it...maybe 8 will be good. Issue 10 just dropped for Strange Adventures, and wow, it has felt LONG. (I mean, the last four? Three? issues are also bi-monthly so that doesn’t help but. Still.)
(Superman: Up in the Sky was twelve issues but half the length, because it was a Wal-Mart book, so it was more like six.)
OKAY! For real, I’ve gone on long enough. XD
SOON. Soon. June 15th, to be exact. Mark yer calendars!
(( Written with @thalsianiii || @brian-wellson @thegrimoirewra for Mentions/Pertinent ))
It started with a watchful eye from a distance. Careful planning with a drabble of winging it. A recipe that built so many plans as of late, but still had seen her through. Hope for the best but always prepare and expect the worst. Now, the plan was set into play. Cypris would infiltrate the Abbey under the guise of a cloistered sister, new to the church. Getting close to the Vicar should be a relatively simply task. Knock her out, and whisk her away from the abbey.
Brian had warned about loyal guards. But even they wouldn't attack an innocent sister. Percival waited on the other side of the river amidst the vineyards. Close enough to mobilize should the worst occur, but far enough to avoid being noticed. Cypris adorned in white linen and lace robes, a thick belt round her middle, her hood catching in the wind as she made her way along the road. A gloved hand quickly rising to catch it before her fiery locks unfurled. Beyond her dark skin, the only color to her was the peek of crimson covering her chest and the fingertips of her gloves.
Upon entering the abbey a Paladin paused his step on his way out. A considering nod greeted the robed woman as she tucked a stray hair back beneath her hood. "Hello there miss, don't recognize your face. Are you new to the abbey?"
It was soft features that met the knight, "Aye." She offered her accent more common than exotic. "Brother Nelas in Booty Bay pointed me this way." She explained as sweetly as she could manage.
"Brother Nelas... Booty Bay..." The Paladin hummed for a bit, but he obviously wasn't very wary. "Well welcome to Northshire all the same. Did Brother Nelas tell you to meet anyone in particular? Or to just join the other sisters?" he asked with an honest and wholesome tone. He was clearly a good dude.
Feigning a blush she shook her head, "Ah well, he suggested to mingle, and to touch base with the Vicar? I'm not terribly familiar with all this." She blinked a few times, mustering a glimmer on her honeyed hues, "He was just so kind, said she'd get me sorted help me fit and feel a bit more comfortable here."
"The Vicar... that's unlikely. She doesn't usually handle new sisters..." he replied seemingly unsure. But also relatively trusting all the same. He paused to give her one more chance to explain herself a little further.
With the news she instantly appears confused, "visc..Hm..I could be remembering it wrong, I was so terribly moved you see." A small hopeful smile pulled at her lips. Reaching a hand to gently touch the man's arm, lofting her gaze up through dark lashes, "I'm fairly certain he said Vicar, something of her being a dear friend of his. It's no trouble if not." She recoiled her hand, fingers curling beneath her bust. "Where do the newcomers go?"
The paladin blushed rather bashfully. He was an easy sell. Her hand on his arm made him puff up his chest proudly. "awe well I didn't know it was a foreign friend miss." he said with an honest smile. "The vicar is on the upper floor of the library wing right now. Probably going over the days service for the Bishop. I'm sure she'd want to meet a friend of a friend." he agreed. "I should get out to the fields and see some of the new recruits. But welcome again to the abbey. I look forward to seeing more of you." he smiled before taking his leave.
The feigned a blush returned to match the paladin's, her head dipped lower before peeking back up towards him, "I'll not keep you." Starting to slip a step around to follow the direction only to pause and half turn on toe to accentuate her curves, "I'm afraid I didn't catch your name? I'm Emma Johanson."
"Corporal Peterson." he answered as they parted ways, "Lovely to meet you, Emma Johanson!"
She gave a quick dip of her brow nearly tripping herself up in the feigned distraction. Even going so far as to add a nervous giggle at her expense. She then slipped further into the abbey, following the guidance up the stairs. She didn't let the facade drop, even in the shadows, especially the shadows, that came before she rounded the corners. Her thoughts maintained the idea that she was in fact Emma, a lost soul from the Bay, seeking out the Vicar at Brother Nelas' instruction.
As 'Emma' entered the library and the ascending stairs, she was met with yet another complication. This man was much more stern looking. He didn't hold a hammer and polished armor like the Paladin from before. He looked closer to a mercenary than any church goer. "Aye. Where do you think you're goin, girl?" he asked in a hard voice as she approached.
There was a faint start to the woman as she settled eyes on the man, holding to the softness that was Emma, along with the information she gathered from Peterson, "Good afternoon. Corporal Peterson pointed me this way. I'm just up from the Bay, you see.Do you know Brother Nelas?" She asked hopeful. Waving a dismissive hand, her shoulders lifted as if she could hide between them for feeling a bit silly, "He suggested I visit the Vicar on my arrival that she might help me get sorted. I guess she's a good friend of his and wishes I also deliver his regards."
"I don't know no Brother Nelas and Peterson is a piss ant," Spat the Mercenary. His hand rested on the hilt of his short sword. "The Vicar is busy. Ain't got time for some slut-turned-nun from a goblin shit hole. Get lost." he ordered
Blinking rapidly feigning offense at the insult, though some of it she found was genuine. "Excuse me? Is this not a holy place. You would speak so?" She scoffed and started to sniffle. "Brother Nelas is a good man doing the Light's work. You're just angry I'm here to see her and not you." She retorted. Hiding her face within her hood she muttered under her breath just loud for him to hear and no one else, "Probably long over do for a f..no need to be so sour."
The mercenary looked at her for a hard while. Her words seemed to hit him in a sore spot. "Ain't no rules about not talkin’ how I want in them holy books." he replied, "And so what if I am over due? You offerin to help?" he propositioned. His hand had left his sword and he was acting a little more amicable. Probably just because he was trying to get laid. But it was progress all the same.
Wiping at her cheek, she glimpsed up, shoulder slumped. Righting herself to appear to be overcoming the hurt he'd caused she stepped nearer, letting him catch scent of the sweet florals of Stranglethorn in her perfume. She kept her head and voice low as, "Will you let me see the Vicar after? I'm trying to be true to my word, sir. I just want to help deliver Brother Nelas' message. If it helps you.. that's the light's work too yes?"
"That it is," he whispered. Now he was fully relaxed, save for a tight spot on his leather pants. "You can deliver your brothers message after we're done. C'mon. We'll go to the top of the abbey. No one goes up there ever." he instructed. "You take care of me, and i'll let you see the Vicar." he winked. Placing a hand on her shoulder with a confident creeper smile.
Giving a small nod, she took a deepened breath. Still she hung to the idea of 'Emma' as she afforded him a small smile, "You'll have to show me the way, I'm likely to get lost here."
"Oh I will," he agreed. Grabbing her hand, the pair headed to the top floor of the Abbey...
Somewhere not far... was one really pissed off Warlock trying desperately to stay his hand...
When they reached the very quiet, very isolated, very removed area of the Abbey attic, the Merc immediately started undoing his pants. They, and the sword strapped to his belt dropped to the ground. "Alright. Now let's make this quick." he urged as he scooted closer, hands reaching forward to cop a feel. He was desperate, and currently unarmed.
Eager eyes held forward in case he glimpsed back to her. She didn't shy when the pants were dropped. Her own anticipation feigned with heavy breaths. The hand that was once in the mercenary's found his coat lapel, taking hold she pulled and tugged him to follow. With her backside pressed up against the heavy wine barrels, her skirts were lifted to just above her knees, "Not too quick, if it's to last.. unless you call again." She whispered teasingly.
An easy hop had her sitting on the barrel, her hands guiding his around her waist, and upper back, keeping them away from her belt, Honeyed hues glimpsed over his features, "How long has it been, you don't strike me as one who should have to wait.."
"Oh so now you're gonna tease me eh? Some sister." he whispered as he moved closer. His hands wanted to move to hike up her skirt so he could get in. Though she did a good job at keeping his grubby paws above the belt, for now. "It's been long enough in this dumb abbey. Long enough that waiting ain't a fun idea. Making it last though, that sounds fun."
Licking her lips she settled an understanding look on the man. There was a brief nod as a hand coiled around the back of his neck to pull him to the bend of her neck, concealed by her hair and hood. The other hand Slipped around his side, letting the tips of her nails rake down his sides. A breathy moan spilled onto the edge of his ear. "In the name of the light then." a last curtesy afforded that he might feel the plush of her cheek on his. The moan and press of her form had served as a distraction, he raking hand had slipped a blade free from her belt. "Just for you..." She gave a needy whisper to his ear as she sent the blade upward through the flesh just behind his chin.
Splurch was the noise that was made as Cy's dagger popped up into the mans head. He was dead before his body would drop. He even still held a smile to his face. His last moments were at least pleasant. Not that he deserved it. Two obstacles had been disposed of. Now, the path to the Vicar was wide open.
Minding the now limp body and it's new wound, a drop or two may have landed on her chest, fortunately she was wearing her red blouse beneath to match the red tips of her gloves. A heavy shove, she loosed the dagger to leave it in place and save the mess. A hop free of the barrel, careful hands dropped her robes, one fishing out a coin. The coin being placed between the man's lips and the last care as she stepped out of the tower heading towards the Vicar. Left hand smoothed her skirts then slipped around her belt, noting one more dagger remained in place.
As Cypris entered the room. A tall, kind looking woman looked up from the table with books and an ink quill in hand. "Oh why hello child," she said in a soft, matronly tone. "I don't think I recognize you. I'm the Vicar here at this abbey. Left hand to the Bishop. Can I help you with something?" By all accounts. This woman seemed... really nice actually.
As she approached the door, she'd retreated back to her 'Emma' mindset. Clearing her throat as she stepped into the door, She dipped her head to the woman, "Good afternoon. I'm new. Just up from the Bay. Brother Nelas had pointed me this way and wanted me to deliver his regards. He spoke highly of you both."
"A Brother Nelas?" The Vicar cantered her head with a confused look. "I'm afraid the name doesn't really ring any bells... Are you certain he meant me?" she asked with a cooing voice. Her robes flowed elegantly as the woman walked closer towards Cypris to get a better look. She herself looked quite young and lovely as well. Almost out of place for someone to appear so youthful and hold such a high position in the Clergy...
She gave a nod, "Unless there's another Vicar among the Abbey." She reached a hand into her pockets, quickly producing a small noted parchment, the seal one of the church. "I'm pretty sure I followed his direction. But very possible I took a wrong turn."
She considered shifting unsure. Her gaze moving from the Vicar drifting over the table, about the room and back. Righting her shoulders she offered across the forged note, one friendly in tone and formal enough for business friends. The paper same as the church.
"Hmm..." The Vicar hummed as she read over the note. It was a good forgery. She could see no flaw in it other than the fact that she herself didn't know of a Brother Nelas. "Well I suppose us members of the clergy do good work. Perhaps he's simply a fan of our efforts." she surmised as she took the note. "So then, miss. What is it you've come to me for? So rarely are people directed towards me. Are you looking for something... special?" she asked with an almost hinting and sinister tone. She was dancing around a dangerous offer.
"It's hard to say, he may be. He's a good man though. Always pleasant. Spent years trying to turn my ear." She hummed as she looked towards the table. A side eye turned back towards the Vicar, "Hmm? Special.. oh yes.. well I came at his request mainly and to get situated. I guess I wanted to see you too if I'm being entirely honest. The fan bit that is."
She grinned. "But I.. just before I left the Bay, I saw this thought it was interesting. It kind of looks religious. But I wasn't sure. You're the expert." She reached to her pocket pulling a small strand of stormy blue beads with white pearls and various other beads that could be bone or similar mineral. This she kept a firm hand on the longer part of the strand.
The vicar leaned forward to look at the beads. But was careful -not- to touch them. "This definitely isn't anything pertaining to the Light. Looks rather primitive really. Would make sense if you found it in a jungle full of savage trolls." she cooed before standing upright. "But I respect your interest in other cultures and other religions. It's the staple of an open mind. I hope your mind is as open in other areas as well..." she whispered. A gentle hand lifted up to rest on Cy's shoulder. "Perhaps we should talk... away from the Abbey. Someone else saw those and might proclaim it...sacrilegious."
'Emma' looked from the Vicar to the beads, "Ah well, entirely possible. I don't want to offend anyone. She considered briefly as she eyed the beads whether to use them now or allow the talk to make way outside. Looking back to the Vicar the beads were tucked away, "Of course, Vicar." A small smile curled as her gaze drifted over the woman's features. "Perhaps by the river, not much drifts past the sound of the water. You've piqued my interest. Where I come from, I wish more had open minds, you know?"
The Vicar patted 'Emma's' face gently. "Clever girl," she praised, "The river sounds like a nice quiet place to talk. Or perhaps you're just a little nostalgic from your time near the ocean." she mused. "Let us walk. We can discuss the finer points of faith, loyalty, and commitment." she agreed. With a gesture, the Vicar offered Emma to take the lead out of the room and down towards the river.
'Emma' seemed to sink between her shoulders, "Oh thank you!" nodding as she stepped back out, "Thank you, I certainly appreciate it. I know how busy you are." Slipping back in step she turned walking along slightly ahead of the Vicar. "And yes, I do miss it, but on to bigger and better things as they say, right? Look at little ol' me walking with a Vicar, I'd have not thought it a week ago."
---------------------------------As they drew near the River------------------------------------
"Oh sweet child you need not paint me such a celebrity. We're both here to serve a greater good." she answered humbly. "And if I get to help mould a fresh young mind to see all the truths of the world, well that is just one more way I can serve as well."
"Celebrity or no, to be a shepherd to those who are lost.. that's something to be admired. I'll not apologize for that my lady Vicar." She spared the woman a smile as they walked, she took in a deepened breath once they were outside, hands dipped into the pockets appearing to stay any chill that might be lingering in the new spring air.
"Oh you are a clever girl." The Vicar replied as she kept her eyes on Cypris. Failing to notice a man just on the other side of the river sitting under a tree. Cypris, however, would surely know precisely where Percival was and need only give a word to warrant his intervention.
"What if I told you that the Light isn't the only truth? That there's many paths we can follow? Would you be interested in seeking an alternative faith?" she asked with a motherly smile and soft voice.
Looking over the Vicar as they walked, she came to pause by some of the taller reeds well out of sight from the Abbey. "I think everyone has their own truth. People who worship old gods, dragons, kings, naaru." She rolled her shoulder, "I just want to be strong and.. well, rise above what happened to me in the Bay." Lifting her gaze she looked to the Vicar, "you mean to say there's more than one path within the church?"
"Precisely." she whispered, "You can follow me." It was a almost seductive tone she used. But still she held the grace and poise of a holy mother. "Power can be yours. Freedom beyond your dreams. All you have to do is follow my truth rather than the rest of the church. Keep it hushed when we're in the grounds. But know that much of the abbey agrees with us."
'Emma' kept her gaze on the woman as she paced about the bank. Only briefly did she turn her back on the woman, nudging a stone from it's place in the mud to kick free to the water. Hands fidgeted beneath her skirt. Unheard to any but Percival was the hushed whisper, 'Be ready.'
Cypris shivered feeling the woman's power flow along her spine with it's promise of power and more. Turning then to face the vicar, eyes wide, "All that.. Just to follow you? Sounds too good to be true." Beneath her skirt the bead fetish was pulled through her palm, slipping the razor, letting her own blood spill over the beads. As they absorbed the essence the magics within lurched free spreading in a wide radius in an effort to stifle any use of shadow magic.
The magic of Cy's fetish spilled forth. The Vicar suddenly became aware of the situation as she felt her source of power suddenly just vanish from her being. She had been played... but by who? An absolute stranger had ousted her out of nowhere.
"What?! Who?! What is the meaning of this? Who are you?!" she demanded to know aloud. Her seeming matronly and calm demeanor had all but crumbled away to reveal a spiteful, evil woman. That was the moment Percival approached from across the water in full raiment.
Cypris stepped around the woman, to place the Vicar between herself and Percival, she let the 'Emma' facade drop. Withdrawing her hands from her pockets, palms were raised upward, draped over one was the string of beads now coated with blood that steadily dripped from Cypris' own hand, "You should keep an open mind, dove. I do respect your choice in religion, even if it's wrong."
"And Respect, is an important thing in our world," chimed in Percival as he approached. "For example. Brian Wellson respected me so much, he trusted me to destroy you on his behalf. Something I plan on taking the utmost pleasure in." He proclaimed as he stepped forth. "Cypris, darling. Would you do the honours of holding our friend here still?"
"So Brian finally betrayed me. And he didn't even have the nerve to do it himself. I'm hurt..."
Stepped nearer to the Vicar, expecting her to run or fight she left her knees bend and ready to move. It was all too tempting to smear the blood over the woman, Instead Cypris swayed off to her right only to return left with a punch in an effort to knock the woman out.
The Vicar would of course make a move to run. Having no power to draw on in the moment. But her turn to run was met with a hot first clean into her temple. The Vicar dropped, hard. She was out cold. And ready to be moved if they so desired.
A grin spilled over Cy's lips, standing over the woman she lofted a brow a little surprised with how she went down. Still she knew better than to brag just then. Instead she leaned forward and low, placing the fetish over the Vicar's head and around her neck, that in transport even if she woke she'd be restricted. Once her hands were free Cypris lifted her skirt and began ripping free a bit of fabric to wrap her bleeding hand. Honeyed hues shot to Percival, "Don't say I never gave you anythin' dove." The Smirk went wide with a wink.
Percival grinned. Though his mask covered it up. "I've never doubted you darling. Well... maybe for a fraction of a second..." he admitted with the slightest hint of shame in his voice. "Let's open a portal to the tower and get her restrained. I'm sick of this abbey..."
Dipping her head in a nod, the smirk widened as she tried to read past the mask. Canting her head, "You thought I was really going to fuck him?" Brows knit as she laughed and waved a hand for him to start the gate. "I'd suggest quickly unless you brought rope, Dove."
"I Never!" he tried to lie. But she knew him all too well, "For maybe a second. Being together for so long, I guess I've forgotten -just- how good you are at manipulating people. I'm sorry." he apologized. With that. He grabbed the Vicar by the collar and waved a hand in a large, circular motion to open a portal to the top floor of the tower. "Still think it would have been fun to just full on attack this place..." he murmured as he moved to walk through.
Honeyed hues drifted over him once over. Sauntering on towards the portal as it came open, she glanced over her shoulder with a mischievous grin, "Might have been fun to fuck'im too, but I didn't." With a mental after thought as she stepped through, "Don't need the whole place on our heads."
