[Nexus] Riverside VIII: A New Side

[Shadowcaller]

Centre of Eastside

"Oh light, that's horrible!" The girl exclaims with wide eyes open, her hands put against her chest. "I'm so sorry for your loss. There really are too many sad stories like that around here so I really hope we can try to change that by working together."

[Westside Alleyway]

"Need any help?" RIaz asks as she steps aside for the vampire. "I was supposed to meet this girl in your manor. I took her stuff with me in case she's staying there."

[Flying Castle]

"It was a pleasure to talking to you as well Dacio, I'm just happy that I could help you learn a bit more about us, hopefully we will be able to learn more about you as well." She says as he is about to leave.
"We'll see each other again hopefully, but farewell for now." And with those words he's free to take the platform back to the ground again and leave.

[Earl of Purple]

Centre of Eastside

"Two of my cousins are priests, and my uncle is a necromancer. I doubt he'll stay dead long, unless he decides to stay dead rather than come back. So for now, I am managing his business and making sure that everything runs smoothly for his eventual return. Still, this place is interesting so I'll move my business here whilst I wait and start that up too. On the subject of my cousin, I'll tell him too- his faith has a temple in Riverside, though I don't know where it is." The gnome, whose name is Byont Fallow, nods and pats Ignatius the Ogre on his head. The ogre doesn't respond to it, nor the conversation.

[Slii Arhem]

Riverside Hospital

"Well, I suppose we could attempt to do the same with anti-biotics or maybe even a poor quality herbicide. Not powerful enough to kill the host or symbiote, of course." Cin adds before smiling a touch. "Or, you know, we could just hire a small-time healer."

Riverside Hospital

"We?" Shayan quirks an eyebrow curiously.

"Nevermind, the problem with hiring a magical healer is that it would leave the process outside the bounds of scientific repetition. It would always remain an unrepeatable aberration, without a chance of further study. It's the process, more than the results, that are of interest to me." Results would be nice, of course, but results she couldn't replicate herself were close to useless.

"As for anti-biotics or pesticide, anything strong enough to slow the plant's growth would undoubtedly act as a rather potent poison to the host. One of the benefits of the symbiosis is an amazing amount of resiliency and regenerative properties."

[Gullara]

[Westside Alleyway]

Durin starts to walk by her, but then stops. "I can handle it myself." he looks back toward her, scanning for what she's carrying. "Who are you talking about? And who are you?"

[Shadowcaller]

[Westside Alleyway]

It looks like the servant is carrying a bag filled with little girl clothes and not much else. "I'm giving this to a friend and my name is Riaz if you must know. I think you're Durin." The servant replies as she stare back at the vampire.

Centre of Eastside

"Oh... I see." The girl replies sheepishly, suddenly while fiddling with one of the buttons of her robe nervously.

"I hope you find the temple then, I just know one temple here and that's ours and it looks more like a fortress then a temple honestly."

[Gullara]

[Westside Alleyway]

The vampire's eyes narrow. "And how do you know who I am?" Durin isn't exactly the public face of Tenebras. On the other hand, he is more distinctive than your average member.

[Shadowcaller]

[Westside Alleyway]

"I heard about of a vampire dark elf named Durin and there aren't many vampire dark elves around here so I guessed." She smiles behind her helmet. "But weren't you in a hurry or something?"

[Gullara]

[Westside Alleyway]

"Very well." Durin looks away, down the street. He shakes his head. "I can escort you there now if you'd like." He offers. He needs to report to Ramiro in any case.

[Earl of Purple]

Centre of Eastside

"I don't need to know where the temple is. I just need to ask my necromancer uncle to contact them. He's always watching us, my uncle. Very fond of his family." Byont nods and, unless stopped, will move off.

Also, he'll tell his uncle (actually, great-great-possibly a few more greats-uncle) Mortius Necriax Dathrii, who will tell both Byont's cousin Destur Spritesson but also Ramiro, since it seems something Ramiro may be interested in.

[Shadowcaller]

[Westside Alleyway]

The servant an eyebrow, that's an interesting change in attitude. "I can't say no to such an offer. Show me there." She replies, raising her hand slightly in a gesture for the drow vampire to continue.

Centre of Eastside

"That's... very nice of him. It's a good thing having such good family..." The girl finishes awkwardly, seemingly not sure what else to say.

"...bye then!" She finally adds once Byont have turned around and then quickly go back to her group.

[Gullara]

[Westside Alleyway => Exbourne Manor]

Durin turns without further comment and leads the way to Exbourne Manor. He goes right inside, and if Eadelain isn't right there, he turns to the Servant. "What is the girl's name?"

[Shadowcaller]

[Westside Alleyway => Exbourne Manor]

"Eadelain." Riaz replies, seemingly a bit distracted by their surroundings. "Is there anything you need help with her? Anything I can do? The choirs in eastside are a bit dull."

[Westside Streets]

Irena is here happily guiding her girlfriend along the riverside river towards the lake. "So do you like to buy some clothes before we go there? You would look so sexy in a bikini." The witch says while looking at Nadia, clearly undressing her with her mind.

[Gullara]

[Westside Alleyway => Exbourne Manor]

Durin shrugs and shakes his head. "I didn't know anyone new was staying here. It's been some time since I've been here myself. She's a child?"

[Westside Streets]

Presumably they aren't near the river yet. It doesn't intersect Westside and I'd assume they'll stay out of Southside (not that there's a gate out of the city there anyway).

Nadia smiles and blushes a little. "You think so? I don't think I've ever worn one." She glances at Irena, in a comparatively less lustful way. "And what would you be wearing?"

[Lost_Deep]

Westside Alleyway => Exbourne Manor

"Raiz?"

Eadelain walks toward the pair, coming from the manor. She's... about like she usually is. She might be acting a bit more grown-up than normal.

[Shadowcaller]

[Westside Alleyway => Exbourne Manor]

The servant smiles as she see the girl. "There she is." Kneeling down she puts down the bag of clothes she had with her. "I believe this is yours? It looks like I was right in bribing it here too. I knew you would make an impression." She says casually.

[Westside Streets]

"A bikini too of course, wouldn't want you to miss anything of me." Irena replies with a grin as she slowly reaches out to put her arm around Nadia's waist. "Don't worry though, I'm not going to do anything embarrassing. We'll do this at your pace alright?"

[Gullara]

[Westside Streets]

Nadia puts her own arm around Irena's waist. She's really gotten more comfortable with this much at least in a public setting. "I'll be fine, don't worry." She gives the other woman a small squeeze.

[Exbourne Manor]

Durin gives Eadelain a hard, critical look. "I'll leave you two then." He nods to them both then leaves for Ramiro's office.

[Shadowcaller]

[Westside Streets]

Irena proceeds to give her a kiss on the cheek. "So what color do you like? I think I will go with an grey myself. It's my color after all." Maybe not the happiest of colors but in the witch mind it suited her. She had never been big on bright colors anyway, too noticeable.

[Gullara]

[Westside Streets]

Nadia's smile widens at that kiss. "I think maybe purple. I kinda like it." She says with a nod. And presumably they'll be nearing the store soon.

[Lost_Deep]

Exbourne Manor

Eadelain takes the bag. "Thank you, Raiz. Will you be as kind as to tell the necessary individuals that I have left?"

...

"...please?"

[Shadowcaller]

Exbourne Manor

"Of course." The servant replies with a nod. "Anything else I can help you with Eadelain while I'm here?"

[Westside Streets]

Yep and I think we can do this offscreen actually as Irena seems to be rather intent about going to the lake. "It's going to be so nice getting away from all those clouds. Can you recall a single day of sun in like forever? It's so dull." She complains loudly while passing by a few other people who decided to go to the beach.

Nadia might notice the fact some of them are looking right at them.

[Gullara]

[Westside Streets]

Off screen it is. No doubt they already have their swimsuits on under their clothes now. *nodnod*

"I don't really mind not seeing the sun." Nadia says with a wry grin. She's holding Irena's hand and swings it in between them. She's in an excellent mood.

She spots the people looking at them, and stops swinging they're hands. She doesn't let go, but is certainly uncomfortable with the attention.

[Lost_Deep]

Exbourne Manor

"Not that I can think of, Raiz. Thank you."

Very sincere thank you there. Very sincere.

[UncleWolf]

Riverside Hospital

"We?" Shayan quirks an eyebrow curiously.

"Nevermind, the problem with hiring a magical healer is that it would leave the process outside the bounds of scientific repetition. It would always remain an unrepeatable aberration, without a chance of further study. It's the process, more than the results, that are of interest to me." Results would be nice, of course, but results she couldn't replicate herself were close to useless.

"As for anti-biotics or pesticide, anything strong enough to slow the plant's growth would undoubtedly act as a rather potent poison to the host. One of the benefits of the symbiosis is an amazing amount of resiliency and regenerative properties."

Riverside Hospital

Cin takes a seat in the hallway as he thinks heavily. It's possible she might get bored and leave before he answers her again, but eventually he does so. "Do you think you could replicate someone's genetic material outside of their body? That way you could grow the symbiote and feed it on the person, and then perform the implantation after it gets past the feeding stage."

House of Virtues

While not a true house, the penthouse suite was the home of the Slaanesh mercenaries. All four of them are exhausted and a couple badly wounded. Razorfang stumbles into their home, ears caked in blood from when her eardrums were burst by a flashbang at close range. Without pause, she peels her armor off to allow Rugal to begin removing the bullets from her shoulder and stitch up the wounds. Charlotte races off towards the jacuzzi, leaving Pet with the other two.

Pet himself is covered in many dark bruises and limps into the penthouse, giving Vita and Felis a small smile. "I guess that leaves me to give you both the tour, Masters." He offers. He'll show them the jacuzzi where Charlotte relaxes, the kitchen, living room and the several bedrooms. "Only a couple of the bedrooms are ever in use, so make yourselves at home. Anything you need?"

[happyturtle]

House of Virtue

Vita doesn't object to Pet calling her Master. Slavery was common enough in the Imperium, and she supposed he had been instructed to refer to guests that way. "Just rest, for now. Thank you." Vita takes a seat in one of the unused rooms.

But then Felis puts an arm around Pet's waist in a way that makes her uncomfortable.

"I can never thank you enough," he says. "You need to recover. Let me take care of you both."

What is he to you?

He saved your life!

You don't have to... touch him like that! And you were doing it before you had any reason to feel obligation towards him. It isn't like you.

Felis is slow to respond, because he is confused about his own feelings. He had never been attracted to a man before.

I don't know what he is to me, Felis finally admits. I'm drawn to him. Perhaps... the gods mean him for you, and our link compels me?

It was very rare for the twins to ever show a sign on their faces of their inner conversation, but this idea is so appalling to Vita that it shows in an expression of revulsion. A slave and a libertine who is bound to Chaos? Vesta forbid!

Felis tries to cover for his sister at once, releasing Pet and going to her side. "You're in pain. I can feel it."

Vita simply nods, because it's the simple truth. There's a bullet wound in her side and her right hand is badly burned. The wound in her gut was healing, but Rugal's magic had failed to touch her hand in any way. Vesta's sacred fire was not to be put out by a priest of Chaos. "I just need rest," she says again.

[UncleWolf]

House of Virtue

The twins will hear Razorfang cry out in pain as the bullets are removed, but she quickly bites down on a leather strap, reducing the noise to a constant growl instead. Pet doesn't seem to mind Felis' arm when it goes around him, and again when it leaves him, but at the mention of Vita's wounds, he gives a them a concerned look. "If you two wait here, I'll fetch some bandages and ointments. It's the least we can do."

[happyturtle]

House of Virtue

"I should make a fire," Vesta says, pushing at the arms of the chair and grimacing in pain as she does. Felis knows better than to argue with her and helps her back to the living room, where she sits on the hearth and carefully arranges the wood and tinder in a circular pattern. She tries to choose two sticks to rub together, before realizing that her burnt hand makes the sacred method of firestarting impossible.

Her burnt hand... she remembers holding the sacred fire in her hand, using it to try to protect her Uncle. Vesta had tried to intervene, but Mars was too strong that day. Vesta's fire was meant for the hearth, not the battlefield.

"Vita... your hand..." Felis whispers. Vita looks to see that her hand is alight again, and suddenly she understands. She's been made a bearer of Vesta's flame, and she touches her hand to the tinder to light the hearth.

Pet may return in time to see this.

And the sacred flame of a goddess of hearth and home and order may not burn easily in the abode of the Slaaneshi.

[UncleWolf]

House of Virtues

Pet sees the flames, but doesn't ask any questions. It wasn't his place to. That said, he kneels down next to Vita and stays quiet until the fire is going well. It won't be as bright as it should, but it definitely isn't dying or weak. Once she's finished, he'll begin to hum a little to himself as he tries to bandage her hand. As badly beaten, bruised, and exhausted as he was, he looks...happy. The pair will notice that he's also brought a kettle of what smells like tea as well as a small selection of sliced fruit and crackers. "Once you retire for the night, I'll gather you two new clothing as well."

A little ways away, Rugal wraps Razorfang's shoulder in her own bandages too before carrying her off to the jacuzzi for the hot water to relax and clean her.

[happyturtle]

House of Virtues

Vita seems to relax immensely once the fire is lit. There is still so much loss and sorrow, but Felis was right. They were together, and they could start over. And it started with the household fire.

She allows Pet to bandage her hand, and says a quiet, "Thank you." She was raised in a very hierarchical society, and has a lot of inborn prejudices about class. But she has never been harsh or cruel with slaves. They were part of the household as well, and under Vesta's protection.

Felis hovers worriedly over them both, occasionally brushing a hand along Pet's shoulder or through Vita's hair. "You both need to rest. Is there anything I can do? Please?"

[UncleWolf]

House of Virtues

Once Razorfang is stripped and placed in the water next to the Archon, Rugal heads off to one of the bathrooms to clean up as well. On his way, he gives a polite nod to the twins. "Anything in our home is open to you to use. Make yourselves welcome."

At the words, Pet looks up at him with a smile. "I'm already taking care of it, Pride." He admits.

Rugal gives a bit of a warm chuckle. "You always do..."

When the V'traani leaves, Pet turns back to Vita and finishes up with her hand before replying to Felis. "I have plenty of strength, but if you wish to help, you should shower and sleep. You are more worn out than you feel. There is plenty of time for anything else later."

[happyturtle]

House of Virtues

"Eat, Brother," Vita says to Felis. "Pet is right. Take care of yourself."

Vita eats clumsily, only having her left hand to use, and Felis finally sits between his sister and Pet and eats enough to keep her from worrying about him, while he continues to worry about the others.

When Vita is finished, she throws some of the food into the fire, to make a sacrifice, but does not try to use the ashes for divination. She says good night to the others, and leaves the room to wash and rest.

She wasn't saying anything to Felis, but he understood her. She was leaving him alone with Pet because she knew he wanted it. Even though she disapproved of his attraction and found it troubling, she would never refuse him something that he wanted.

"Pet, no one is attending to your wounds," Felis says, turning to Pet and looking into his eyes.