Luna & Freia

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Unprocessed RP Logs

Below are Links to various unprocessed logs from RPs involving Luna. These are considered a part of her canon but have not been condensed into story format and are relatively recent.

• Meeting Arahnea
• A trip to Ul'Dah
• Her First Taste
• First Entrance
• Striking a Deal
• Morahkiev's Approval
• Nari's Approval
• Assisting a Friend
• Protection and Sacrifice
• Leaving Ishgard
• Heat's Approval

• Back

Meeting Arahnea

[2:23 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak was, as she often did, strolling through Empyreum. The brisk chill wind of coerthas always was pleasant to her, though... as she crossed one of the many bridge paths in the ward she spied another. "Mm... Not often do I find anyone near these outlooks..." She mumbed to herself quietly... Until she felt it. A familar presence. A void presence, though quite faint... Another voidkin? How many were there in this city that she was not aware of? The world truly was vast it seemed. Her boots >>
[2:23 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: >> crunched softly through the fresh snow as she walked up towards this lone... Viera, yes that what they were. "A lovely view, is it not?" She called out as she approached, her tone friendly.
2:28 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus turned around, somewhat caught off guard by the greeting. Though it wasn’t uncommon for people to call her out because of her tall stature and unusual race, usually it wasn’t so friendly as this. “I suppose it is, still taking it in after being here a few days though,” she turned to face her caller, noting their appearance.
[2:28 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: As she turned around, an aura of cold seeped around her, not enough to do any harm, but enough to be noticeable to those who were looking for it. “You out for a walk as well, or perhaps you have a purpose for being out and about?” She mused out loud, smiling kindly at the woman in front of her. Though it wasn’t easy to forget why she was looking around this ward of the empyreum, she couldn’t just automatically assume anyone who was even marginally strange was the enemy she sought to cour
[2:29 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: *court with
[2:34 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak raised a brow, "Oh? New in town are you? Well that's always good, Ishgard is a beautiful city." She stepped forward closer to the Viera, noting the... sudden unusual chill... "Mhm, I am indeed. I am quite fond of strolls. No real purpose, simply meandering. Though I suppose I did intend to head to the scholasticate to peruse the library for a bit at some point." Her gaze lingered on the Viera for a moment, as if she were waiting for something. Some sort of acknowledgement of... kinship... >>
[2:34 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: >> But... nothing? She could still feel it. The umbral presence. Perhaps they were shy or intimidated... Who could say?
[2:39 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus eyed the woman closer. Something felt off, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. Perhaps it was just her imagination though, and wished to give the benefit of the doubt still. “Somewhat new, been here only about a week now I believe,” she investigated right back, trying to figure out what was off-putting about her. Perhaps it was just her avatar’s supposed aura of chill affecting her though.
[2:39 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: “I’ve never particularly been one for books, much more practical to learn by doing in my opinion,” she spoke plainly, perhaps a little too directly. “But, I suppose there are deeper secrets only reading can clue you in to. Like just what might be lurking behind the facade a person puts on.” She said it almost playfully, testing the waters a bit to see if a reaction could be had so as to glean some information about this person.
[2:47 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak smiled at the viera, her teeth oddly sharp looking for a hyur. "Well allow me to welcome you here, though I'm likely not the first to do so." She shrugged her shoulders at the distaste for books, "To each their own really. I believe we all should do what works for us individually. that being said I respect your..." She paused at the comment of a facade. Ah. There it was. "Please, facades. Masks. Secrets hidden in plain sight. I suppose having the sense for things would help but books can >>
[2:47 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: >> only /tell/ you how things could be rather than how things actually are." She chuckled softly, "Ah, but where are my manners. My name is Arahnea, a pleasure, Miss...?" She said showing little real response to the probe. If they wanted to make a game of it then a game it would be. Truly, the voidkin were a capricious bunch... But she supposed that is what made them interesting... in a sense.
2:55 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus offered a smile in return, taking note of the odd dental appearance. And though no direct reaction was given, she could sense that there was some chord being struck. Perhaps this was who she sought after all. “Luna. A pleasure to meet you Arahnea.” She filed the name away, being sure to remember it for later.
[2:55 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: “Oh, there are many secrets hidden, especially in this city. There is even rumor of voidsent inside the city walls.” She said it almost casually, feigning disinterest. She wasn’t telling the whole truth. Sure Rae had managed to figure it out, and there was almost certainly others who harbored suspicions. But there was nothing concrete enough for the rumors to be taken as more than the ravings of an attention seeker.
[2:55 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: “Of course, is there were any to be found, the temple knights would be quick to begin a witch hunt, and that wouldn’t be fun for anyone.” Something nagged at the back of Luna’s mind, like an icy touch begging her to listen. It was faint, and hardly understandable, but she recognized it as that latent power she held so close to her chest. A warning, perhaps? SHe should be more careful about how she approaches this.
3:04 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak nodded, "Ah, a beautiful name. Truly, like the moon in the starry night sky." Her smile somewhat faltered for a moment before she huffed softly, a heavy puff of white escaping her lips. "Rumors? In this city? Perish the thought!" She laughed out loud, "Friend, this is a city of nobles and commoners. Rumors are the backbone of the community here." But... at the mention of the temple knights her smile vanished. She took several steps forward, putting the viera between herself and the railing>>
[3:04 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: >> that was all that guarded unwary people from a fall into a frigid abyss. "Oh yes. You are quite right. From what I've heard the knights are very thorough. Dutiful. Zealous. That wouldn't be fun... for anyone." The snow white haired woman stared into the eyes of the viera woman, brilliant silver eyes shining. "For. Anyone."
[3:14 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus smirked, “I suppose the rumors are the backbone of any aristocracy, but they often have some hidden seed of truth to them.” She had gotten the reaction she was looking for about the temple knights comment. And though she was pinned physically, conversationally, things were just where she wanted them. “Oh, they most certainly wouldn’t be,” she leaned into Arahnea slightly as she spoke, not aggressive, but not backing down either, “least of all for me. After all, there are truths I
[3:14 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: harbor that would see me burned at the stake just for teasing the idea of those truths.”
[3:14 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: There was little that could be done with beating around the bush, she thought to be a little more direct now. “Arahnea. Such a beautiful name. And though I can’t say I am too familiar with this land’s names, it certainly rings to me like it is a strange one.” She backed off, casually leaning against the railing, almost daring the woman to try and push her off. “If someone heard a name like that while looking for voidsent, they’d likely be suspicious of them immediately. Say a reaper
[3:14 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: on assignment, or just someone needing to learn more about herself.” She kept it vague enough in case she was wrong about her suspicions, but she didn’t want her meaning to be misconstrued if this was a voidsent she was talking with.
3:24 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak frowned. What... Was this person... not... what she thought they were? "My name is irrelevant of where I come from, it is disappointing that you would assume something simply from a name... It's not... strange..." She sounded... hurt? Arahnea crossed her arms and scowled as Luna leaned against the railing. "If someone were to persecute another over something as simple and mundane as a name then any hellsguard roegadyn could be branded a criminal... I've a friend named Bloody Blade, are >>
[3:24 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: >> they a murderer simply because of their name? Of course not. I don't know what a... reaper? Ha... talk about a name that inspires suspicion! If someone needs to learn about themselves then travel the world or join a mercenary group! Your obsession with voidsent is a worrying one, miss. You should learn to watch your tongue lest it get you into levels of trouble you are very, very ill prepared to deal with."
[3:36 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus raised an eyebrow. She had thought she had cracked the meaning of the conversation, but instead of returning that directness, she was given further dancing. An unfortunate turn of events. “I suppose you are right, a name given can mean very little. But, a name chosen means much to those who picked it. For instance, I chose my name because of my affinity with the night, and the cold distance the moon gives off.”
[3:36 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: The denial of knowing hurt a little, as she was all but certain at this point the type of person she was dealing with. Even if they weren’t themselves voidsent, they had close ties. But, when the threat of treating with things beyond her ken, her eyes flashed an icy blue hue and her aura of frost grew so much the grass around them became brittle as it went from frosted to crystallized. As it did, Luna felt her own grip of her body grow a bit weaker, and when she spoke, her voice was mixed with
[3:36 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: another. “We are already past that point of no return, and we wish to be given knowledge for us to prepare and join this world proper.”
[3:36 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: Her eyes faded back to their normal, reddish hue, Luna fully in control of herself again. “None are here to hear this, so I will be blunt. I am a reaper going against my own order. If you truly don’t know what a reaper is, then I wouldn’t be worth your time as more than laughing at a crazed lunatic. But, in case you are feigning ignorance, then now you know precisely whom you deal with. I would be much obliged if you were willing to do the same.”
3:45 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak sighed. "So you are..." Some... odd sense of relief washed over her and she visibly relaxed. "I've... misstepped several times in my assumptions, at great cost to myself and others... I know what a bloody reaper is, I was accosted by one and asked to surrender myself as their avatar... Though this was quite some time ago." She stared at Luna... "Forgive me. I can't make mistakes anymore. Yes, you are correct. I am... voidsent." She said the last word with almost disdain. "Again, forgive >>
[3:45 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: >> me for being so obtuse and for beating about the bush so much. Others that I have stumbled across were either too afraid or too prideful to admit it on their own, I thought for a moment that you were... threatening me and I'll not lie, I was about to push you from this ledge. I'm glad I did not."
3:57 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus felt the tension in the air finally break. And as it did, that frozen aura around her seemed to calm as well, that presence in the back of her mind being content now. “I was worried a for a moment myself that I had presumed incorrectly as to your nature. And I am intimately aware with the need to avoid mistakes.” She took a more relaxed stance now, happy to find herself not needing to be on edge.
3:57 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: “I’m not afraid of what I am, simply cautious. You said it yourself, the temple knights wouldn’t be fun for either of us. Apologies if my cautions came off as threats, the world of voidsent is still new and I was unsure how best to get confirmation before revealing myself.” She laughed lightly at the comment of being thrown off the ledge, “As am I.”
[3:57 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: She calmed down now, the threats no longer a concern. She still chose her words carefully, in case she stepped upon an eggshell, but she was no longer hiding behind a mask. “As I said, I am a reaper. But I have no wish to hunt voidsent. On the contrary, I wish to understand them better so I can help my own avatar. I came across them when they were weakened and I was in mortal danger, so our agreement is mutual. I know little of them, not even their name, as I do not have the control over the
[3:58 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: power we share as of yet. Alas, by my curiosity, I cannot approach another reaper. And I can’t go about asking for voidsent to have a casual conversation with without being labeled a lunatic or a criminal.” Perhaps she was crazy, but those labels carried weight she didn’t need to shoulder.
4:09 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak tilted her head, "so... you yourself are not a voidsent, you simply wish to... help... the one you are bound to?" She laughed loudly, "That is... ha... so absurd... hahah!! /Helping/ a voidsent willingly? You are right, you would be thought insane." She herself relaxed, brushing a few stray strands of pure white hair out of her face. "They are likely aether starved if they cannot even manifest themselves, have you not thought to offer it your own? Though without knowing their personality >>
[4:09 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: >> or what kind of voidsent they are... That could lead to... issues should they turn out to be more voracious than expected. I know of... at least one voidsent that has immense difficulty stopping once they start." She shamefully motioned towards herself, "If they are anything like me, you would be a husk in moments. Believe me, thoughts of friendship, debt, gratitude... Everything fades when you can taste it... living aether..." Her gaze grew distant for a moment, as if simply speaking of >>
[4:09 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: this triggered something as she began staring at Luna for several awkward moments. She then shook her head and smiled, "But I've learned to hold back! Mostly... I'm capable of it, I promise! I've gotten better!" She began speaking like an addict, "Now you've got me curious, you wouldn't mind... right? Just a little? I promise it will not be painful! Really!" She stepped towards Luna and reached a hand out to try and take hold of their coat.
[4:17 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus couldn’t help but laugh along with Arahnea. “It is quite absurd. But, we owe each other our lives. Neither of us would be on this world if not for the pact we forged.” She nodded solemnly at the comment of being Aether-starved. “I have been able to feed them some amount of aether, but without the proper control over that faucet, I was cautious to throw the floodgates open. The stories are abound of the destruction crazed voidsent can wreak.”
[4:17 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: She looked at the voidsent as she saw that desire growing within her. “I can imagine. I’ve certainly felt pangs of it when I eat meat. I’m sure it’s nothing quite like the feeling you have of draining the life from another.” Luna brushed the hand away from her coat, but did proffer her arm. “A small taste I suppose is fair for putting you on such edge. But, I must warn you. Of what little I do know of my partner in power, they are incredibly protective and defensive. Try to take more
4:17 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: than a little and I can’t promise your safety. Not that I doubt your strength, but there is a convenient ledge behind me for us both to sail off of.”
[4:29 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak smiled. A wicked, fang filled grin. Uncaring that her initial reach was denied, her eyes began glowing a bright, brilliant, vivid silver as the whites of her eyes turned black. "Wonderful!" She gripped the arm offered to her and... rather than simply siphon or extract through touch... "I may have been exaggerating... it will hurt a little. But you seem tough enough that a little bitewound wont phase you." She said as she leaned down, pushing up Luna's sleeve and then sunk her teeth into >>

[4:29 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: >> the viera's flesh. Tasting the tinge of crimson lifeblood on her tongue she began devour both blood and aether in equal measure. A 'small taste' held different meanings to different people... And to a voracious aether glutton like arahnea... Well... She siphoned off one... two... three deep draws of the crimson aether from Luna. Though, true to her word she then... somewhat forcefully, made herself to remove her maw from Luna's arm. She took a deep breathe after, the viera's blood dripping >>
[4:29 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: slightly from the corner of her mouth. "Like moonlight on a field of pristine snow..." She brought her fingers up to her lips and in exaggerated fashion drug her tongue up their length. "Oh... Sweet little nameless voidborn... You have found a wonderful patron..."
[4:37 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus was caught slightly off guard by the change in appearance, but didn’t give more of a reaction than a raised eyebrow. She braced lightly for the bite that she had anticipated. For though she could tolerate a bit of pain, it didn’t mean she couldn't’ feel it. But, she let the voidsent have her fill, trusting her companion to flare up if things went too far. They did not, and by the time Arahnea had detached, she wasn’t even feeling feint.
[4:37 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: “I’m glad you find it appealing. Though I’m afraid it will remain a delicacy for the sake of my avatar,” Luna smirked as she unslung her gunblade, retrieving a cartridge and quickly putting it back. Breaking the cartridge, she felt it’s rejuvenating energies surround her, making sure there wouldn’t be any long-lasting effects of the siphoning. “Hm, avatar feels too, impersonal. Like they are subservient to me. Perhaps a better title is in order. Likely something to discuss when we
[4:37 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: are able to truly use words to communicate.”
4:47 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak sighed heavily, a wistful look on her face as she was informed of the fact she was being cut off, so to speak. "Oh come now, don't be like that, what's a little aether between friends? Besides, you want my help with your little frigid friend, yes? Give and take, that's the way of things with our kind." She shrugged her shoulders though at the avatar naming, "Well, would you like for me to try and speak with them? I know they are here and I know they can sense me perfectly fine. I am sure >>
[4:47 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: >> I can at least gather /something/ from them, if not through speech then perhaps pure empathy. What exactly is it that you wish to happen? Simply to... coexist? Live in this world peacefully alongside others? Nothing is simple when it involves voidsent. Nothing. For all you know they could turn out to be a fiend. Though... from this faint aether I highly doubt they are anything overtly powerful. I could likely devour it in a single draw... But... Truly, as one who is fairly tired of the >>
[4:47 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: traditional views and outlook of the voidsent, it warms my heart to see cooperation and coexistance here."
[4:55 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus shook her head. “As I said, a delicacy, not a one-time thing. I’m well aware of the transactional nature of the void, as it was that very nature that brought me to the position I am in.” She listened intently to Arahnea before nodding, feeling that cold feeling in the back of her head nudging her along. “I believe they would be more powerful given the chance to grow. As far as I’m aware, they were on their last legs when I stumbled across them.
[4:55 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: So by all means, please try to communicate with them. Even if it must be through a mediator, anything gleamed of my partner is useful information.”
[4:55 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: She offered a nod at the comment of cooperation. “Our world is very different. People banding together for common cause with no guarantee of mutual benefit. And though I don’t blame the ostracized for being transactional in nature, I find it appealing that they are amenable to coexisting. At this point, I’m not even sure I could continue existing without them. I think some part of me was left behind in the ice.
[5:03 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak lit up at the prospect of further 'transactions.' "Oh I am sure, no voidsent is truly patheric, lest we speak of... imps or the like. Any voidsent capable of taking on a mortal form is one to be feared, greatly." She put a finger to her chin in thought, "Are you... able to summon or manifest it in any way? No matter how miniscule it may be. If anything, I could... I suppose jump start them in a sense. You mentioned being unable to... control the flow of aether being offered to them or >>
[5:03 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: >> something along those lines? I could use myself as something of a floodgate between the two of you, siphoning from you and transferring to them? Though the prospect of... /giving/... aether disgusts me, in that case it couldn't be helped." She continued to ponder, raising a brow. "What.. What do you mean by in the ice? How are you inextricably tied to them? Surely you do not need them to simply live on your own?"
[5:11 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus shook her head. “The best I have managed as of yet is them briefly taking hold of my body. But even then, it tends to be fleeting.” She felt that cold sensation pricking at the back of her head more now. “I had thought to source a mammet for them to inhabit as a means of communication. But, to utilize any amount of aether for power would almost certainly require the body they are tied to now.” She pondered for a moment, wondering how best to approach the situation.
[5:11 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: As she did, that cold around her increased once more. “I believe it best I let them explain themselves, I think they are present enough to take command, if only for the briefest of times.”
[5:11 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: As soon as Luna said it, the aura of cold grew once more, though not as aggressive as before. Her eyes flashed blue, signaling control being passed over. Her voice was now icy, yet smoothe, and almost sultry in tone. “The iccccce is where I was found,” the voidsent was clearly not used to talking with a mortal’s body, lingering on consonants far more than necessary. “She fellll, and losssst her heartbeat. Veinsssss turned to iccce, and blood ceasssed to flow. I could not ssstart her
[5:11 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: heart, but with her aethhher I could keep the enerrrgy flowing. That, isss how our pact came to beeee.”
5:19 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak blinked several times as the presence overtook Luna. "Well well, you do have the strength to take her body for a time at least. That's a good start. Do you have a name and are you simply low on aether?" She smiled brightly, gestsuring towards Luna's body. "I could act as a medium for your patron's aether, judging from her apparent ineptitude with its manipulation. Though her safety could not guaranteed, I have a feeling you wouldn't take more than needed judging from your protective nature>>
[5:19 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: >> Unless you are simply protecting your food source." A thought struck her, "She isn't... a natural born garlean is she? If so that would explain her lack of control... but in that case you would be easily able to take your fill from her... Are you so weak you cannot even feed? What could have reduced you to such a pitiful, pathetic state?"
[5:29 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus ? wondered upon their nature. “I’m not ssssssure about a name. I do nnnot remember one.” The body looked down, as if there was a part of them missing, as though a part of them was also left in that ice. “Callllll me Freia, thhhhhat feels rrrright.” They, she?, pondered once more. “I am unssssureeee as to my ssstate. I do know that my hosssst’s death means my ownnn.” At this point, she stumbled slightly, realizing the toll being brought upon the body she was inhabiting.
[5:29 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: With a shake of her head, Luna came back in control, eyes returning to that same reddish hue.
[5:30 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: “I can control the aether myself, it’s hard to judge how much aether I can safely give is the primary issue. I cannot consume aether from the living as I cannot partake in cannibalism without upsetting any connections I could have. Not to mention the suspicion of people disappearing being difficult to deal with, much like a certain reaper before me.” She smirked knowingly as she said it. “So, I am limited by the food I take in, which is enough to sustain my life and
[5:30 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: keep a slim connection with, Freia was it? It’s all hazy when she is in control. So, without a consistent and large source of aether, I cannot sustain enough for them to hold power and also be an effective enough fighter to make a living.”
[5:30 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: As unfortunate a circumstance as it was, she didn’t have a solution out of it. “Though, given your propensity for draining blood from living mortals, I have a feeling you either have an immense amount of self-control, or know techniques to make your feeding go unnoticed.
[5:42 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak listened to the weakling voidborn speak... A sense of disgust hitting her. She... detested speaking to her kin that were so far beneath her... The weak existed to feed the strong... Is what she once thought. She tried. Tried /very/ hard to remove that ingrained prejudice from herself... "So you chose a name on your own... and will perish if she does. Well, not perish so much as you will return to the void... where you will likely be devoured by another of our kin." She clicked her tongue >>
[5:42 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: >> as the all too brief conversation ended. "Yes, Freia is what they have chosen to call themselves. You are a mortal, you have access to ambient aether in this place... how are you so limited?" Her tone grew angry. "You should simply bleed yourself dry for them, you'll be bloody fine if maybe tired! Freia is still a bloody voidsent! There is no limit to what they can devour so long as it is living mortal aether." She had a genuine look of confusion on her face at the mention >>
[5:42 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: of a 'certain reaper', "What are you smirking for? Is that supposed to mean something to me? Lest you delude yourself, I am not the only voidsent in Ishgard. If you are looking for someone then you are looking at the wrong monster. As for my 'methods' you should consider yourself lucky I didn't take the whole arm. I don't do anything halfhearted or simply. If you were to step into MY nest then you would never be seen again. Your blood. Flesh. Bones. Guts. Aether. Nothing would be left. >>
[5:42 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: Now if you are speaking of other methods I am more than capable of simple transference, siphoning through a kiss, intimate contact, sex... There are no small number of ways to drain a mortal of their life."
[5:57 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus glared slightly at Arahnea. “It is not so easy as to draw upon the land’s aether. That is the power primals hold in this world, not the majority of mortals. Though it can replenish me somewhat, it would cripple me to the point I would not be able to sustain myself. Without living beings to feed on like you do, all I can manage is a delicate balancing act.” She seemed beleaguered to say it, as she wished she could do more.
[5:57 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: “I suppose it was wrong of me to assume it was a singular voidsent here. Even if powerful, I doubt one would be enough to make a reaper outright disappear.” She slumped against the railing somewhat. “I have no doubt that to anger you would result in my swift dismissal from this life, and would certainly prefer to remain on the good terms we may be establishing. Again, the issue is discretion. I lack the facilities to create a proper nest as it were in order to take the aether of sentient
[5:57 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: beings, and to take an animal’s aether by force tends to exhaust nearly as much as I stand to gain.” She seemed almost destitute. “I do wish to let Freia grow. I wish for our existence together to be strong and on equal footing. But, without the instincts being born in the void gives, I have stark few options I can rely on and little room to experiment.”
[6:10 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak groaned softly, "It... what? You... You are of the source, yes? That is not simply a name. It is the /source./ If you have aether problems here than you are more of a voidsent than you think." She raised a hand to her face, pinching the bridge of her nose and closing her eyes tightly. "You act as though mortals come to me like cattle to be slaughtered... As for this reaper, if they were found or caught here then they are likely no long of this world. I can guarantee that they essence now >>
[6:10 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: >> resides in one of my sister's stomachs so to speak. There... is a place I can show you. Though it is not a pleasant place. A voidnest filled with others far less amicable than I. You may find more answers there though unlikely. If nothing else you may be able to have access to living mortal aether to drain of your own accord. Whether you are prepared to kill for it or not remains to be seen." She held a gloved hand out, "I cannot guarantee your safety. My sisters may simply see you as weak >>
[6:10 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: and devour you both. This is the way things are with us. Stand on your own legs or serve another. Those are your choices. Fight or serve, in this place I can bring you." She tilts her head a bit, "Which will you choose? If you fear me in any sense then you are already weak."
[6:23 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus looked quizzically at Arahnea, not entirely sure of what she meant. Perhaps some time with her nose in books would serve her well. She thought of commenting about considering it cattle to the slaughter, but decided against it. “Oh, I have no doubts as to their demise. I only brought it up as an attempt to see if you were voidsent.” She probably would have been better served not to bring it up more, but it was one of the few solid leads she had had on finding other voidsent here.
[6:23 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: The idea of a nest of voidsent was certainly an intriguing one. A place she could gather knowledge and perchance assist in feeding Freia more Aether. And perhaps even become stronger herself. “If you called the voidnest a pleasant place, I’d be assuming you were leading me into an ambush. It does sound like somewhere I could truly find myself so to speak. And a place for Freia to become that which her potential claims she can be would be wonderful as well.” She gave a hearty laugh at the
[6:23 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: comment of being fearful. “Had I feared you, I would have found an exit to this conversation long before we revealed our true natures to each other. I would gladly offer my blade,” a chill shivered up her spine, “and it seems Freia is willing to offer any power she does acquire. All we ask for is a seat at the table and the ability to learn of our natures better.” She chose not to offer a hand, lest it be taken as an offering of aether once more, but she did take a small bow in respect.
6:35 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak laughed softly, "I still very well may be leading you to a trap. I've tasted your aether, I know your taste, moonlight. Perhaps I am an oddity, but I have a preference when it comes to aether and yours falls oh... so... perfectly... into that category." Her face suddenly grew deathly serious. "If I take you to this place. Heed this. Engrave this into your bloody brain. Do not trust anyone. No matter how kind they may seem, how genuine they may act. Those who smile easily lie just as easily.>
[6:35 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: >> Remember that. And one other thing... Do not trust Ceana. No matter what she may say, may offer. Do not trust her." Her expression softened, "Regardless I am glad to hear you do not fear me, I am not all that much to worry about after all." She noted the viera's bow, "There is no table, you will hunt for yourself or starve. We simply provide a place to do it. Normally I would have you form a pact with me, thus marking you as mine and serving at least as a deterrent for my sisters. But >>

[6:35 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: something tells me you aren't the type who would have any interest in such things. In such a case the best I could do is ask you to lie and say you have. The others will know you are not out kin and they will know how weak Freia is." She turned and began walking away, "You may consider it as we walk, the den is not far from here."
[6:37 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: "Really, what even brought you here in the first place?"
[6:37 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: "This reaper nonsense you keep speaking of?"
[6:37 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: "As if a wolf remembers the name and identity of every lamb it devours."
[6:38 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: "There was a reaper who disappeared here not too long ago, likely one of your sisters. Their scout recognized my aura as a fellow reaper and deigned to give me the information. I said I would keep an eye out, but I had no intention of hunting. "
[6:42 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus continued to banter ever so slightly. “But you know that if you consume all of me, that you would never have the chance to taste it again.” She nodded somberly at the warning, heeding its every word. Well aware of the deceptions that can be wrought, she let it sink in to ensure she did not slip that much up. “That is well noted about your sister. And the table was merely a metaphor. I have no intention of leeching off the efforts of others. Perhaps a phrase from this world
[6:42 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: that translates poorly in this context.”
6:42 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: She gave the thought of a pact a little thought, but eventually shook her head. “I will pretend to be pacted to you so long as Freia is still regaining her strength. But my true pact is with her and her alone. We are tied to each other and will live or die together. And both of us will fight with every fibre of our beings to ensure it remains the former.”
[6:48 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak sighed softly, "I expected as much. In that case, do not claim to be a voidsent nor ever go into any secluded area with one of my sisters. It will be your end." She then gestured to the unassmg ishgardian home before them. "Here it is. It may not look like much but I assure you countless mortals have entered here and then never returned. There is likely no other place in Ishgard that has seen more death in gruesome fashion than here. That being said, Most of my sisters are dwellers of the >>
[6:48 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: >> dark. I do not know where you are staying, but I will say if you wish to be introduced, come at night. Be sure to seek me out first, but after that... You are free to do as you please. Just do not forget my warnings. There is no mercy in this house, but you may very well find what you desire within its walls."
[6:49 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: (Unassuming*)
[6:57 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus mentally logged the location of the home inside her mind. This would be a critical place to remember if she were to nurture Freia and learn how to hone their shared abilities. “Well noted. I had no plan to hide my mortality. Much as I wish to be equals with Freia, that sentiment will likely only ever be shared between the three of us here. To your sisters I am the reaper become servant. And to the mortals I am the void taming master. But, in truth, we will grow alongside each other.”
[6:57 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: She looked at the house once more. Though some of the decorations were a little eerie, it was easily dismissed as the owners being gothic like her blood sister.
[6:57 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: “I will return in short time. I must collect my thoughts, as well as try to feed Freia more of my aether as you suggested. Should you hunt with your sisters prior to introducing me, feel free to ‘hunt’ me should you need a good foundation to base the lie upon.” She nodded solemnly. This was far past any reasonable point of no return. In too deep, she was left with little choice but to stomach the disconcerting parts of her new reality and continue to push her way inwards. The only saving
[6:57 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: grace, she knew, was holding Freia inside of her. If they could grow stronger together, than there was a chance Freia could join as her own member, and not just a meek servant. Perhaps then, it would no longer be the belly of the beast, but a dark and lovely home.
[7:03 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak smirked, "Your understanding is very good to hear. Be that as it may, we shall see." She walked up to the gate, throwing a hand up in a dismissive wave as she reached the gate. "Know this, I have tasted your aether. There is no escape from me should you choose to instead reveal this place to anyone. I will tear Freia from you and devour them before your very eyes and then devour YOU. Bit by bit, piece by piece, slowly. I hope you understand." Then with a dark laugh she stepped into the >>
[7:03 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: >> yard and called out behind her without turning. "Welcome to Shadowgate, Luna. You are never leaving, at least not alive."
[7:07 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus felt a shiver go down her spine. "I know Freia, we'll take our rightful place yet." She looked to Arahnea briefly, amazed she made it out of even this alive. She offered no further words, merely taking note of the name and place once more before turning towards the gate to Ishgard. She had a job to take care of soon, but she would return. After all, she would never be able to truly leave.

• Back

A trip to Ul'Dah

[22:39](Arahnea A.Hyperion) "Cold and snowy as ever." She held a hand up in front of her, catching several flakes of snow in her gloved hand. "I've never been on an airship before... I... must confess I'm somewhat excited. You seemed quite interested in that message you received this morning though. It must have been rather pressing to be so eager to set out the same day. N-not that I'm complaining! I just... Is it really alright if I come along? I... already caused you enough trouble last night." She looked away, a red >>
[22:39](Arahnea A.Hyperion) >> hue to her cheeks as she recalls the... interesting events prior.
[22:42](Pyria A.Famfrit) The woman.. just stared at arahnae for a little while as all of that came spilling from those lips. Only for her to blink twice and then say.. "Luv.. would I have cooked you breakfast if this so called 'trouble' was enough to make me ill tempered...? Did I not expressly tell you that, nothing you could do would make me spurn you?" Reaching forward with a smile on her red lips.. she simply poked Arah in the nose only to pull back and saying. "I.. wouldnt call it pressing or anything.. Its>>
[22:43](Pyria A.Famfrit) >> just some curiosity really.. when you are a noble.. it tends to be pretty easy to just up and go to another nation.. is not like my coffers are hurting anything from it.. besides. You are more then welcome to come along... after all did I not promise you such..? To see the world and the lands far beyond.. hmm?" Her lips a much brighter smile then.. turning into a smirk of just smug intent.
[22:49](Arahnea A.Hyperion) She went cross eyed for a moment as Pyria poked her nose. "I suppose you are right. I've not forgotten." She began walking towards the Airship port, "To simply just go anywhere you please on a whim... That's quite something. I've never left Coerthas." She turned toward Pyria as they walked, "A curiosity though... Well consider me... also... curious? Though I suppose there is no hurry, I've no idea how long this trip will take." As she rounded the corner she had a familiar presence make itself >
[22:49](Arahnea A.Hyperion) >> known to her. She quickly turned her head in the direction she felt it from... and in the distance sat Luna, alone on a bench. "Oh! Well... That's a coincidence if ever I've seen one..."
[22:51](Pyria A.Famfrit) "Well.. it took me two decades to get to leave Coerthas once.. so I guess there is that in commom with both of us I suppose.." She then paused staring over at where Arahnea was looking.. "A friend of yours..? That hair tone.. is quite aggressive.. even more so against the back drop."
[22:51](Pyria A.Famfrit) She had intended to spill more on her curiosity.. but now there was yet another before them..
[22:53](Luna A.) Luna was sat on the bench, waiting for her airship to arrive. As loathe as she was to leave her blood sister behind for a while, she had a commission to pick up. Hopefully she wouldn’t get into too much trouble while she was away. Her thoughts were interrupted though as she glanced around to see Arahnea in the company of someone.>
[22:53](Luna A.) <Her eyes lingered for only a brief moment in contact with her friend’s. Long enough to know she had been noticed, but short enough to not immediately show interest in her in case present company was of the less savory sort. Instead, she turned to face the wall in front of her to continue contemplating how she was going to accomplish what felt like the nigh impossible.
[22:57](Arahnea A.Hyperion) Arahnea trotted over quickly to Luna, "Moonlight? What are you doing out here? Well... I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, you've got your own business to attend." She turned back to Pyria, "Forgive me, Pyria, this is an acquaintance of mine. Luna." She then turned similarly to Luna, "Luna, this is... my friend, Pyria." She was actually moderately proud of herself for remembering that introductions are important in this kind of thing. "Are you waiting for a ship as well?"
[23:01](Luna A.) Once Arahnea had trotted closer to her, Luna swiveled her head back towards the pair. Her cheeks became somewhat flush at the nickname, but realized what she had been called the other night was going to be sticking for some time. WIth a nod at the acknowledgement, she stood up out of politeness.>
[23:02](Luna A.) <“A pleasure to meet you. Any friend of Arah’s is an acquaintance of mine.” Though that cold of Freia’s in the back of her head told her this was likely a voidsent of some form or another, they seemed much more lax than the people she had met at SHIFT. “Yes, I was going to be catching the next airship to Ul’Dah. I have some business to attend to there. I suppose you two are heading out as well? Other than the Ul’Dah ship, there isn’t one coming for a little while. And I would>
[23:02](Luna A.) <hate to leave you two waiting in the cold.”
[23:12](Pyria A.Famfrit) Pyria watched the exchange for a moment giving a slight bow as she was gestured too.. "A pleasure to meet you, she and I were actually heading to Ul'dah as well.. being a noble lady.. I have some.. trade partners to meet with as well as how do I put it. A token of my curiosity, I just simply figured id bring Arah allong.. since she so wished to see outside of this three colored land of what was once the lush Coerthas.." She made a bit of a chuckle then.. before adding.. "I.. didn't know>>
[23:13](Pyria A.Famfrit) Arah had.. other" She was trying very hard to think how to word this.. "Other friends that are so nice." She tilted her head a bit.. with this highly innocent smile about her.
[23:20](Arahnea A.Hyperion) Arahnea smiled, "Yeah, we were heading to Ul'dah as well. I have never left this place before so... I am... /really/ excited." As she spoke, her silver eyes practically sparkled. Though she turned to Pyria at the friend comment, "It's..." She turned back to Luna, "Yeah." She faced Pyria once more, "She's one of the nice ones... I think. So far. It's complicated but she knows to behave, at least." She lifted a gloved hand to her lips and tapped her bottom one in thought, "We are... All going >>
[23:20](Arahnea A.Hyperion) >> together then, yes?" She could barely hide her excitement, practically vibrating in place. "My first trip abroad is turning out to be eventful from the start!" Then in a likely uncharacteristically and overly close bit of emotion she reached for both Luna's and Pyria's hand and held them tightly for a moment and grinned. She... /was/ a voidsent... Right?
[23:25](Pyria A.Famfrit) Pyria saw the beaming woman practically near on spas out her words to both her and the red headed one.. "It.. is amazingly cute that glint in your eyes. But its good to hear she is one of the well behaved ones. And remember if she needs snacks, I pack quite a few!" She innocently patted her.. entirely too small bag.. that looked like it was far far heavier then it should have been. Yet Pyria was obviously refering to other such matters.
[23:25](Pyria A.Famfrit) "All that is left.. is if she would like to acompany us since we all seem to be heading in the same direction."
[23:27](Luna A.) Luna smiled back. First out of enjoyment seeing Arahnea so happy, and then as a reward for being called one of the good ones. “I suppose I am still rather new to circles like these. But, when you come from my side of things, you tend to start out assuming better of people than most who come from the dark side of the world.” She kept it vague, partially because Pyria was unknown to her and also partially because she was in public and had no desire to spill their cover.>
[23:27](Luna A.) <“I suppose we are going together,” she remarked, “of course, assuming you two wish for my company past being on the airship. Mine was meant to be a trip to the alchemists and then back to Ishgard, but I would not be against staying for some time if the company was good.” Luna wondered what kind of rumors would interest a friend of Arah’s. Perhaps that void-touched who recommended the very project she was picking up had caught her ire? Hm, unlikely, but something to consider.>
[23:27](Luna A.) <Not that she owed anything to the lalafellin.>
[23:28](Luna A.) <At the mention of snacks, Luna remembered she still hadn’t learned how to directly drain aether from a mortal just yet. Perhaps this journey would be a good time to learn. “I’m afraid the snacks Arah likes I’m not quite yet learned of how to eat. But, that does not make me averse to trying out new cuisines.”
[23:33](Pyria A.Famfrit) Pyria leaned over.. and then just gave a smirk and said aloud in a sort of play whisper, feigning ignorance out of a joke. "I think.. she wants carrots. I have some in my bag." Only to just look back and wink at the rabbit woman before giving a rather intent giggle.
[23:36](Arahnea A.Hyperion) "Well it's settled then! Where is the ship! Is it here???" She turned to the port, seeing it empty. "Perhaps not yet... Oh well, not like it's a bad thing." She cast her gaze between the other two, a strange feeling in her chest. A sense of normality, in a way. She thought out loud to herself, "My how far we've come..." With a gentle shrug of her shoulders she turned to Luna and locked eyes with her. Thoguh she still smiled there was a blatant, unspoken threat within her gaze. "While it is not >
[23:36](Arahnea A.Hyperion) >> the place to overtly discuss, Pyria knows and understands completely. It is as she says, she has plenty of 'snacks' as it were." She stepped up to Luna and still with that ominous smile on her face she leaned in close... closer... her lips practically kissing the viera's ear as she whispered quietly in pure malice and threat. "Pyria is mine. Do you understand me. You may feed off her if she allows it, but if you bring any harm to her I will rip your still beating heart from your chest and >>
[23:36](Arahnea A.Hyperion) eat it." She then gently patted Luna's cheek and stepped back. "I wonder how long until the ship arrives?" Her previous excitement returning in full force.
[23:45](Luna A.) “I believe it will be here in a few more minutes. The airships to Ishgard still don’t run that often unfortunately.” She was enjoying the excitement in Arahnea’s eyes until she saw the deathly serious glare of hers. She held her hands up at the warning. “I have no intention of harming our friendship Arahnea,” she spoke honestly and almost sweetly, “if Pyria is a friend, I won’t be hurting her without extremely due cause.” Her voice was somewhat louder, giving Pyria a chance to>
[23:45](Luna A.) <pick up a couple of context clues as to the exchange.>
[23:46](Luna A.) <“Not that I would ever need to worry about running out of snacks. There are many places to get food in Ul’Dah, from the grandiose ruby avenue to the back alleys by the thaumaturge guild,” she smirked a little at the obvious insinuation. “I hope you packed for the heat Arah. If you haven’t traveled past Coerthas, it may be somewhat of a surprise to you just how hot the lands can get. If not, I’m sure I can help cool you down a little bit.” She had a feeling Arah would want>
[23:46](Luna A.) <at least a little of her aether after all. It seemed she had quite the taste for it.
[23:55](Arahnea A.Hyperion) She smiled genuinely at Luna as she heard the affirmation. "Good. I'm glad you understand." After hearing about the heat though... she looked almost... confused. "Ul'dah is hot?" She sighed exasperatedly... "Uuugghhh... I may have to take you up on that help cooling down..." She looked at her attire, hells she hated places that were hot... Well... She supposed she /was/ getting used to heat, in a sense... But that was something else entirely. "Gah... I hate hot places..." Her excitement >>
[23:55](Arahnea A.Hyperion) >> waned significantly. She looked to her jacket and lifted the collar of it. "I suppose I can just take this off if need be..." She turned to Pyria, noting the confusion evident on her face. "Ah... Don't worry about that! Just reminding her of a... promise of things that may come." She rubbed the back of her head, tussling her short white hair a bit. For some reason or another, she didn't particularly like the feeling of lying or leaving things out with her.
[23:59](Pyria A.Famfrit) Pyria had been silently staring at them.. trying to take stock of it.. watching the rabbit's ears.. the way they moved.. luckily she had a couple guests in her estate that were viera.. "You.. two.." She put two fingers to her bottom lip and made a funny hufuu giggle.. eyes narrowing into this smug smile.. only for it to instantly fade. "Every well then! When the ship gets here we will go! Also Arah.. if you so need I took your measurements during breakfast, ..
[23:59](Pyria A.Famfrit) >>
[0:00](Pyria A.Famfrit) Dont ask how, im not going to tell you. But I packed some lighter fabrics in my bag." The purse on her hip... clearly not enough to put a shirt in. "So ne'er you worry about the heat! Also.. cold water.. ice water. Its a must.. as blast that damn heat..."
[0:03](Luna A.) “She was just making sure I didn’t prey upon you,” Luna noted quickly, not wishing to leave a half-truth hanging in the air like that. “Not that I would wish to, but she must care about you if she wanted to warn about hurting you specifically.” She smiled, letting that hang in the air for just a moment.>
[0:03](Luna A.) <She took only a moment to catch her thoughts before speaking once more. “Yes, and dry as a bone there as well. What I would give for at least a little humidity. But, I suppose I’m more well-adjusted to warm weather than the pair of you. I can only imagine how cold your home must normally be.” Her ear twitched as she heard the humming of an airship drawing closer. “Ah, it’s almost here. We should probably get ready for boarding. Not that I expect it to be busy. With how recently the>
[0:04](Luna A.) <theocracy fell, many are hesitant to wend their way to the high halls of Ishgard.”
[0:11](Arahnea A.Hyperion) *Turned to Luna, fir the briefest moment she was both aghast and enraged at Luna's blatant statement. The whites of her eyes goign back for just a few moments as she grit her teeth... And took a deep breath as those eyes returned to their normal brilliant silver. "Y-you! ... I just... Why did... UGH. Yes, fine. That was the BIG SECRET. Oh, allow me to finish her bit of admittance. I also said I would devour her heart if she did otherwise." She gave a petty, closed eye'd smile then shortly >>
[0:11](Arahnea A.Hyperion) >> after, glared at Luna for a moment and sighed. "No, you're right. Why hide anything, yes?" She turned to Pyria and shrugged her shoulders. "Forgive my poor attempt at deceit... Also... No, I'm not going to ask about how you have my measurements... nor how you hit anything into that bag of yours... Yet. Believe me when I say we will speak of it later though." She turned to the port as Luna mentioned the ship and her eyes lit up. "You're right, I see it!" As she ran over to the gate and >>
[0:11](Arahnea A.Hyperion) through it, ignoring the protests of the gatekeepers.
[0:14](Pyria A.Famfrit) Pyria just watched her go.. a smile on her face.. "Ah.. shes adorable.. such vim and vigor for life and the sights." Pyria gave a almost funny little happy sigh.. "Come along then don't want to miss the ship."
[0:14](Pyria A.Famfrit) *Only to reach over and give a pat on Luna's arm.. and begin to start walking.. waiting just a little bit to listen if Luna had any words.
[0:15](Luna A.) Luna gave a sigh at Arah’s outrage. Perhaps she was not quite as well adjusted as Luna had thought. “She is certainly more lively than I would have thought when I first met her.” She motioned for Pyria to lead, Luna content to take up the rear. “So, about these rumors, if I may ask, what intrigued you to them?”
[0:18](Pyria A.Famfrit) Pyria looked back.. raising her brow curiously.. "Oh them.. I am fairly close to the guild of mages in Ul'dah.. recently they mentioned as I was having my latest shipment of Aether crystals shipped to them.. that they had a prisoner. And so it got me thinking.. what sort of prisoner would you keep in a guild of mages.. or need to keep in such a place. It merely has me curious, and as always when I find things I am curious about. I go and make it my own problem." *She beamed happi

• Back

First Entrance

[23:48:31] Arahnea A: sighed happily, oh so happy to be back in the frigid coerthan climate. "Well... I suppose there's no time like the present. If nothing else you've seen most of the others, though distracted as they were... At this time of day Ceana is likely still asleep like the night walker she is. May as well at least let you see the interior. It's... a bit gaudy, to be honest but it grows on you."
[23:51:00] Luna A: could only give a slight shrug. “Given the type of people they are, I would be more surprised if it wasn’t a least a little gaudy by Ishgardian standards.” She stretched out her limbs as she steeled herself for the company. She wasn’t scared, but there was a nervousness to her. After getting that taste, everything else she snacked on just felt, muted. It still tasted alright, but that was it. It came nowhere near to how she felt when she ate Desmind. “Any last bits of advice>
[23:51:08] Luna A: before we head in?”
[23:53:30] Arahnea A: tapped her lips in thought for a moment... "Well... Don't be overly eager. You don't want to be seen as an aether crazed beast... Talking from experience. I was aether starved when I first came here and it has plagued me ever since. Let the other know plainly who and what you are, no reason to hide it."
[23:54:57] Luna A: offered a nod, “Only reason I had to hide it was because you never know just who is listening. But, inside should only be those who I wouldn’t mind knowing to begin with.” And with that, she stepped towards the door, crossing the threshold and continuing her embrace of her darker wishes.
[23:57:44] Leon J: was cleaning the lobby as he often did. It’s the place that got the dirtiest the quickest after all. His ears twitched as the sound of footsteps outside and he paused for a moment, waiting for someone to knock but to his surprised, the person had a key, and that parson was Lady Arahnea... with Miss Luna. Leon pushed away whatever emotions he had at the sight of either of them and gave his usual bright smile. “Oh! Welcome back, Lady Arahnea! Miss Luna it’s good to see you again.” He >
[23:58:00] Leon J: greeted, taking the time to bow politely to each of them individually. He hadn’t seen Lady Arahnea in so long, it almost felt a bit odd to see her so casually now.
[23:58:11] Leon J: bows politely.
[23:58:16] Leon J: bows politely.
[00:00:04] Arahnea A: stepped inside, letting her eyes adjust to the dim lighting for a moment as she heard Leon's voice. "Mm, yeah. I'm back but... You seem oddly friendly with Luna? I had thought you weren't sure of her when we were back at that club?" She turned to Luna, "Well, seems you know eachother so no need for formal introductions. I almost wouldn't be surprised if this wasn't your first time inside either."
[00:03:17] Luna A: gave a smile to Leon. “And good to see you too dear.” She was somewhat doubtful if that was his true feelings about her, but she didn’t want to press the wrong buttons for the moment. She turned to Arah, filling her in somewhat. “I ran into Leon at the Jeweled Crozier while I was preparing for our little venture. We talked a bit, but I did not enter the house. After all, you were the one to introduce me. It seemed only fair you were the first to show me in.” She turned back to>
[00:03:23] Luna A: <Leon, acknowledging him further. “I hope Ceana hasn’t run you too ragged.”
[00:07:10] Leon J: Leon nodded softly along to Luna words. He kept a quiet smile on, waiting for them to move along to whatever business they may have together so he could keep sweeping. He looked back to Arahnea for a moment. “...” Honestly, Leon spends so much time with her spider body he’d almost forgotten what Arahnea truly looked like now. He glanced back to Luna as he was addressed. “If course not. I’m in top shape.” He assured in his ever-cheerful tone. Of course, it was a lie. But Lady Arahnea>
[00:07:21] Leon J: was there, and he was in his cozy little cage, so he had to be good.
[00:07:30] Leon J: smiles gently.
[00:13:13] Arahnea A: cast her gaze between Luna and Leon, though her silver eyes flashed a bit in recognition as she noticed Leon's trepidation in looking at her. "Leon. May I say something?" Then without stopping or waiting for an answer she spoke, "You do not need to act reserved or duty bound around me. True, we started on a poor foot what with me trying to... eat you in the tunnels, but... I feel that you should understand me enough by now that I'm not the others. I'm not going to punish you or treat you >>
[00:13:19] Arahnea A: >> poorly simply because of your sentiments. You may be dehumanized in the others eyes but I'd like for you to at least understand that I've grown to see you differently. Moreso after learning you took such extensive care of my real body in the tunnels." She spoke hurriedly, uncaring of present company hearing it, it was overdue and she not often ran into Leon. "All that being said... Luna and I were just here for introductions and to let her see the palce. She can be trusted, despite what you>>
[00:13:23] Arahnea A: may think."
[00:19:14] Luna A: was somewhat shocked at the forthrightness in Arah’s words. Then again, that forthrightness was why she enjoyed her company so much. “I certainly agree with Arah. There need be no facades with us. Even if you’er in a sad moment, you shouldn’t be made to throw on a smile and shove your own feelings down. But, I’m sure you’d rather not hear another sermon from me. The church can provide that if you truly wished for one.” She laughed lightly at her own joke.>
[00:19:19] Luna A: “I understand your trepidation for trusting me. Given the nature of that which you serve, it is only natural, but I can promise this whole-heartedly. Should I ever turn against any of this manor, it will not be through deceit and lies. I will state my intentions clearly and offer my former acquaintances a fighting chance.” As she noted this, A hovering succubus floated near to Leon.
[00:19:24] Luna A: “You would do wissssse to heed her words. We wish to benefit. If a pathhhh exists where we need not harm relationsssss, we tend towards that path.” She flitted around Leon, checking him out properly now that she had her own mouthpiece to move around the physical in. The cold aura emanated from the mammet, signifying just who this was to those who knew her well.
[00:27:32] Leon J: Leon’s eyes shifted over to Lady Arahnea. “...” He gave a gentle smile. “O-Of course... Thank you.” He spoke. “Caring for your body in not an issue at all.” He quickly said after being thanked for it. Leon admired Arahnea’s original body. It’s not that he disliked her new body but... he felt like he understood her more... before her change. Now, Leon had a hard time looking to her with any sort of familiarity she was an enigma too him once more. One he hadn’t gotten used to >
[00:27:49] Leon J: yet. He tried telling himself it was the same person but... that couldn’t be farther from the truth. At least she wasn’t dead which had been a relief but still... All this stress and change... It wasn’t healthy for him. Leon prefers simpler things. He looked back to Luna as she spoke. He saw her interjection coming from a mile away and gave a tight-lipped smile. Indeed, Leon was in no mood for worthless sermons. Luna was temporary, just as any other person in Leon’s life. Being open was>
[00:28:06] Leon J: more heartache than it was worth in the end. “I’m sorry if I seemed apprehensive of your introduction... Unfortunately, not all whom Lady Arahnea has following her are as reasonable as you.” He said, not sure if he should bring up the whole thing with Janna but he left it at that for now. He looked to the little floating creature and recognized the voice. “Ah... Miss Freia. Greetings” he said, giving a polite nod its way. “But either way, you do not need to prove yourself to me. >
[00:28:25] Leon J: I’m only the maid. Our Lady Ceana will be the one to take decisions on your staying or leaving.” He explained.
[00:29:16] Leon J: [Caring for your body is not an issue]
[00:36:19] Arahnea A: sighed softly. Naturally things would seem different. She was no longer a creature caged in the dark below this place. She finally had the ability to do and see things for herself rather than vicariously through her puppets. "We will... Speak more on this another time, Leon. But... I'm curious as to who you mean? I don't have others following me...?" She pondered for a few moments but... Oh. Oh gods dammit... "You mean the giant woman from back at the club? I hardly know her. I got into >>
[00:36:39] Arahnea A: >> an... uh... argument... with Heat and stormed out of the house late at night and ran into that maniac in the ward. She in unhinged but there is something just... in general wrong with her. Sometimes she seemed fine, others manic. When she showed up at the club that was... wholly unexpected, but it gave me the chance to claim my aether debt with her. I assure you, no one that 'follows' me is as crazy as her..." She trailed off... "Well... Actually... Maybe a little bit?" She turned to Luna, >
[00:36:42] Arahnea A: "The others aren't that insane, right? Pyria is at least well adjusted, but I'm fairly biased in that matter..."
[00:40:39] Luna A: listened carefully, doing what she could to pick up details in the conversation itself. “It is quite alright. It sounds as though your hands are rather full dealing with unsavory elements.” SHe turned back to Arah though as she talked about the company she kept. “I wouldn’t say I got to know Pyria that well. But from what time we did spend together she was quite well-adjusted. And no matter how she achieved it, she has held the title of Ishgardian noble, which means she has some>
[00:40:47] Luna A: <degree of self-control.” She mused a bit, eventually shrugging. “As for myself, I suppose I’m the more calculating type. I enjoy surveying my options rather than jumping in head first. I won’t say that I’m above wilder temptations, as that isn’t my judgment to make.” Especially given the voracity in which she had devoured the Elezen on their way back, she was unsure of whether or not she could be considered well-adjusted by this point.
[00:47:19] Leon J: Leon gave Arahnea a sympathetic smile. “Yes, that’s exactly who I’m talking about. Unfortunately, acquaintance or not, she has found her way here and has had a few comings and goings looking for you. Due to her openly threatening Mistress Ceana, causing property damage and very dangerously attracting outside attention to our estate by engaging with a bystander and paving our front yard in blood; she has been banned from entering the property. There’s a kill order on her if she is to try>
[00:47:37] Leon J: to break in.” Leon informed rather plainly as if he was announcing today’s weather. “If you do see her again, and care for her survival, please make sure your interactions with this person are at a different locale from now on.” Leon looked between the two of them as they spoke of the other members of Arahnea’s new friend group. “I’m glad to hear you’re in good company, Lady Arahnea. I haven't met Pyria yet but both Luna and this Belz person you’ve brought here seem like great>
[00:47:59] Leon J: people. Are they all looking to join our sanctuary?” He wondered.
[00:57:44] Arahnea A: looked... positively aghast. "She found her way -here?- How?? I couldn't have been followed from the club, as I went to Pyria's estate afterwards..." She pinched the bridge of her nose, right on the red stripe that crossed it. "For fuck sake... L-Leon... Let me be frank. If I'm not here to introduce someone, do not consider them an acquaintance without consulting me. A kill order may be excessive but if that is how it is to be. If she even /can/ be killed... Trust me, I tried. I feel I >>
[00:58:15] Arahnea A: >> made an error... I should've left her bleeding out on the ice. Ugh. I make no promises, I do not control her nor do I make any claims to. I have spoken to her twice and fed on her once." Her face turned a bit more serious after that though, "Yes, there are two others. A lalafell mage that I believe others here may find fascinating... And Pyria, a woman that formed a voidpact with me. She has a business arrangement she wishes to broach to us here that I believe will be of great mutual >>
[00:58:30] Arahnea A: benefit. And may I also say with no small amount of seriousness..." She walked up to Leon and put her hand to the Viera's cheek then spoke softly. "Pyria is bound to me and is not to be harmed. If she in unwelcome here then I will deal with it. Neither you. Nor Ceana. Nor Mina. Nor Heat. Nor Nari. Nor Morahkiev. Nor /anyone/ else is to harm her in any way nor treat her like she is a simple mortal slave here. Is that understood?" Her closed eyed smile radiated a kind of menace that was >>
[00:58:34] Arahnea A: and blatant. For once, Arahnea was /deathly/ serious about something. "I will know. Believe me."
[01:01:08] Arahnea A: (Undeniable and blatant)
[01:02:42] Luna A: raised her eyebrows as she got to be the one witnessing Arah being threatening for once. She knew it was well-intentioned. Arah protected that which she cared about fiercely, same as herself. There was nothing wrong with that. And given the nature of the company that took residence here, it was only natural to issue a threat to keep the peace. Odd as that was.>
[01:02:49] Luna A: This time, it was Freia’s mouthpiece that spoke, joining in with the conversation. “Welll, I doubt any would dare risk your irrrrre. And as for the subject of joinnnning, I can only speak for myself. I would like to join withhhh the sisters, but only when it is due time for me to beee accepted.” SHe went to light onto Arah’s shoulder, wishing to perch there for ease of conversation.
[01:12:41] Leon J: Leon gave a small shrug at her first question. “I see... Well after interacting with her... I was indeed starting to suspect she may be more of a stalker of yours than a friend despite her saying you two were close...” He muttered softly. “The decisions made towards your stalker were Lady Ceana’s.” He informed. He nodded gently as she spoke of the other people Arahnea was hoping to introduce. It was nice to be informed in advance. When speaking of her bond with this Pyria character, >
[01:12:56] Leon J: Leon nodded quietly. “I will inform the others of your feelings if the time comes otherwise, they have been duly noted.” He confirmed, seeming not to care much for the threatening smile. Threatening a slave is pointless, they already know they can’t disobey. A treat is to Leon what a glass of water is to the ocean. Unneeded and inconsequential. Seeing lady Arahnea using threat as a tactic also confirmed that Leon was right in mentally disregarding her previous words about not having to be>
[01:13:16] Leon J: reserved or duty bound around her. Actions always speak louder than words. He gave Arah the same bright and gentle smile he usually wore.
[01:13:27] Leon J: smiles gently.
[01:13:58] Leon J: [A threat is to Leon****]
[01:18:54] Arahnea A: shrugged her shoulders, "If you say so. Either way, whatever happens to the stalker happens. Until proven otherwise they are... more of an inconvenience and a liability than anything, really." She turned to look at Freia on her shoulder, wholly surprised. "Shocking to see you away from your host." She turned back to Luna, "Either way, there is seemingly little to do beyond letting you grow acquainted with the place. The others must be busy attending their business and Ceana is likely still >
[01:18:55] Arahnea A: >> asleep in her little coffin. You can look around if you wish, I'm sure Leon would love to show you around, or I can. Whichever you find more pertinent."
[01:22:06] Luna A: gave a small shrug to Arah. “I don’t think Leon would particularly care for showing me around the mansion, even if he would similarly feel obligated to do so if asked. So I suppose the kind thing to do is ask for you to provide the tour.”>
[01:22:11] Luna A: gave a small shrug to Arah. “I don’t think Leon would particularly care for showing me around the mansion, even if he would similarly feel obligated to do so if asked. So I suppose the kind thing to do is ask for you to provide the tour.”

[01:22:49] Luna A: Freia also chimed in, “Though this mouthpiece cannot stray Far from Luna’s body, I need not be next to her at all times. I simply find it simpler for people to understand who is speaking when next to her.” As if to prove a point, she sat herself fully onto Arah’s shoulder, giving a slight chill to her arm as she did so.
[01:23:01] Luna A: (there's the second post, accidentally copied all and not just the next paragraph)
[01:32:24] Leon J: had a lot of cleaning to do and wasn't particularly keen on taking time away to give a tour but if that is what Lady Arahnea wanted, he would do it. Thankfully, Luna seemed to understand the situation perfectly. He simply waited to see which decision would be made, smiling quietly without agreeing or disagreeing with Luna’s words. Letting them take an unbiased decision regardless of Leon’s true feelings. He did hope Lady Arahnea would be swayed by the other Viera though.
[01:34:41] Arahnea A: shrugged her shoulders and ruffled the hair at the back of her head lightly. "I suppose... Ugh, I'm not good at this tourguide stuff... only the second time but im not quite so keen to do it again..." She walked over and took Luna by the hand, heading towards the hall. "Downstairs is a bar but its not particularly interesting, seen one bar seen them all, really."
[01:37:05] Luna A: spoke kindly to Leon, “best of luck with your duties, and your goals.” WIth that out of the way, she turned back towards Arah. “Don't’ have to be particularly good, just a quick comment on stuff around the palace would be nice.” She laughed at the comment of the bar. “As someone who has worked at many a club, you have no idea how true that is. At least here there’s a chance whoever is tending the bar is interesting.”
[01:38:01] Leon J: didn’t let his relief show as Arahnea took the lead. “Thank you, Miss Luna.” He said softly, giving a polite bow to the both of them. Thinking he’d been officially discharged from the conversation, Leon picked up his broom and got back to work as the two toured their estate.
[01:39:03] Arahnea A: "I assure you they are not... More often than not it seems to be Morahkiev tending it... But..." She stopped at the door. "You know what... I'd like to show you something. If you're not afraid of the dark, that is."
[01:40:57] Luna A: “I thought you said not to follow anyone to their private chambers?” She smirked slightly, parroting the advice she had been given. “Though I suppose with it being your chambers I don’t need to worry quite as much. I don’t mind the dark, I was often given the night shift back in my guard days.”
[01:42:48] Arahnea A: laughed out loud, actually wiping a tear from her eye. "Look at you listening to my words so thoroughly. I never said it was my champers, merely that it was dark. Though you aren't wrong. If you don't want to come, you don't have to."
[01:45:29] Luna A: smiled brightly at the spider’s words. “Perhaps it was wrong of me to assume. But I do wish to follow you. I doubt you would be intending to kill me, now that you know my willingness to let myself be a delicacy. If you wished me dead, you had several chances for it already after all.”>
[01:45:36] Luna A: Meanwhile, Freia moved gently on Arah’s shoulder, “Besidesss, I’m much more powerful now that I have been gifted so much aetherrrr. We could mossst certainly put up a fight if you were against usss so suddenly.”
[01:46:53] Arahnea A: smiled and said ominously, "Put up a fight against /this/ body. Perhaps." She then began walking down the halls to a nondescript door that led down into pitch black.
[01:49:04] Luna A: “Oh, I don’t doubt that your ‘real body’ as you put it with Leon, is much more powerful. But no need to posture. Though still recently met, I like to think that we’ve become at least somewhat closer in our times together.” She smiled kindly before following her into the darkened hall.
[01:52:18] Arahnea A: grew somewhat apprehensive as she walked down the tunnels, her silver eyes glowing like orbs of light in the pitch black. Down they strode for a time until stone floor and rock walls shown. She walked to a corner of the room, and if Luna had any sort of dark aspected vision, a large figure surrounded by 6 other smaller ones could be seen. Arahnea strode up to this group and turned back to Luna. "Come on. Come and see what you're really talking to right now."
[01:55:18] Luna A: Took a moment to adjust to the dark. With the help of Freia she had some vision in it, but it was faint, and often blurry in conditions as dim as this. “I’m going to guess a nice spider lady, just much bigger and with a few more obvious spider parts.” She gave a smile at the not-so-random guess before finding herself a wall to brace herself lightly.
[01:58:46] Arahnea A: looked at her body... grimacing. The massive form of the void spider lay motionless on the ground. Even sat down and somewhat slimped over it still stood at equal height with the pair. Stood at full height it could be assumed that the beast would easily exceed ten feet in height. Long white hair draped over its shoulders and covered its bare breasts somewhat. Black chitinous armor lined its arms and parts of its torso. The fingers of each hands ending in wicked gouging claws. One of the 6 >>
[01:58:58] Arahnea A: >> figures knelt around the spider then suddenly stood up, a small orb of flame being produced in its hand and floating towards the ceiling, illuminating the room and casting flickering shadows. The figure was an aura woman though they gave no reaction or further movement, merely stood like a statue almost. In the new light, the features of the spiders face could be seen, eight eyes all closed, a maw filled with far too many fangs. The humanoid torso connected at the waist to a pure arachnid >>
[01:58:59] Arahnea A: body which almost appeared covered in that same dark black chitin armor. Arahnea turned to Luna as she put a hand to the spider forms cheek. "Not quite so amusing or pleasant to see, I'd wager."
[02:04:12] Luna A: looked closely at the spider, and then the Au’Ra woman, noting all the intricate details present. “Personally, I find it fascinating. Is this mind control, or some sort of necromancy puppetry?” She gave the woman a small poke, wondering if any reaction would be given.>
[02:04:22] Luna A: She turned back to the spider form soon after though, admiring closely but not touching without permission. “The amount of aether it must have taken to amass such a powerful body here, or to have traveled here with it all intact. It’s no wonder why you feel confident to casually threaten others when necessary. You have the brawn to back the brains.” Done admiring the spider body for a moment, she turned back to the Arahnea form she had initially met. “But something tells me you are>
[02:04:31] Luna A: intentionally in this body for more than just the chance to be out in the open.” She smiled kindly to her spider friend, hoping to give her some amount of comfort.
[02:13:28] Arahnea A: said nothing. In unison the other five figures stood up. An elezen woman, two au ra females, a female roegadyn, a male miqote and a male au ra. They each spoke in unison but in their own unique voices in time with Arahnea's own words. Seven voices spoke thus, "They are my puppets. They were once dead yet through my powers they move under my will and do not decay. Puppetry is what I do. Within each lies a crystallized voidegg that replaced the heart, thus giving control of the body to me." >>
[02:13:42] Arahnea A: >> No reaction was made when Luna poked the aura woman. "Call it what you will, but they belong to me." At that all but the one maintaining the orb of flame knelt back down and once more fell motionless. Her words spoken only by her now, "You may inspect the spider body as you wish, I've no qualms with you doing so. But... for me it's more a show of trust that I allow you to see this. You are the first I've willingly shown this form to, though Pyria shall be a close second. All others were >>
[02:13:43] Arahnea A: through coercion or necessity. I would rather you know exactly what kind of person you are dealing with and what they are capable of instead of being a mystery. I took this body to be able to leave these tunnels. To live for myself and see things for myself and not vicariously through books or the eyes of my puppets."
[02:19:15] Luna A: stood back, in case something was about to befall her, but she didn’t need to reach for her gunblade as the voices spoke in unison. “So that’s why you wished for the man’s heart.” She noted it as she was given permission, gently caressing the chitin and observing the various pieces of her true form. “I am glad that you have this level of trust in me, truly. Though I must say, given that Pyria seems closer and a far longer friend than I, I am somewhat puzzled by how strong that>
[02:19:27] Luna A: <trust is.” She didn’t think it undeserved, merely built far quicker than she had believed it to be. “Well, out of necessity or not, I quite like the body you’ve taken. As awe-inspiring as your true form is, You’re far cuter as a spider-hyur.” She couldn’t help but cast a demure smile towards Arah, enjoying the little tease at her.>
[02:19:32] Luna A: Her inspection complete, Freia chose to alight upon Luna’s shoulder once more. “It isss an impressive form. A testament to your accomplishments. A power I would aspire to, even if the outsssside may never look quite as impressssive.”
[02:26:48] Arahnea A: looked away for a moment. Her cheeks turning red, though in the flickering light it would be hard to tell. "It... Is because you were the first... voidkin I interacted with outside of the sisters that did not have overt machinations or ulterior motives in mind..." She turned back to face Luna, "I spent over 50 years alone in the caverns beneath what I've come to learn was the Dzemael Darkhold. I had... not true interaction with others until I came here. I was inept, naive, aggressive and >>
[02:27:03] Arahnea A: >> and near emotionless. I've come so far since first stumbling upon this place on accident. Yet the entire time I lived in fear of the others, of the sigil's forced exodus back to the void that ceana holds over me and all the others here. I... As awkward as this may sound, even moreso given the melodramatic initial meeting we had, I feel as though I found a friend... A kindred being, I guess. I've been told I am far too quick to grew close to people, but... given my past I think it only >>
[02:27:04] Arahnea A: natural to cling to that which keeps me from returning to the abyssal solitude I feel here in the dark."
[02:33:33] Luna A: continued her warm, kind smile. It was a strange warmth, even as she emanated such cold from her body. “In a sense, I am still mortal,” the mammet abruptly nudged her cheek, “but I suppose I can’t truly consider myself one after the events of the other night. And I do have my motives, though I wear them much clearer than I’ve come to learn others tend to. I wish for knowledge, and a place at the table so to speak.” Besides, to betray would be to invite betrayal. ANd if she were>
[02:33:42] Luna A: <to gain power, she did not wish some cheap scheme to demolish it.>
[02:33:51] Luna A: Freia was a bit more forthright. “Perhapsss you are quick to judge. And though I wouldn’t resentttt you having tossed us over that ledge, it is good to have commonality with another. After allll, that is what separates us from the animals.” She took the chance to shuffle a little on Luna’s shoulder before growing quiet once more.>
[02:33:59] Luna A: “As am I glad to be friends with you. As strange as it is to have found friends in company where friends are so hard to find.” She opened her arms, offering a cold embrace to Arah should she wish it.
[02:53:16] Arahnea A: kind of just... stood there, looking down. "I am just trying to find... other voidsent that would rather live civilly than predatory... It's rather... hypocritical of me to say so given what I did to that elezen man but..." She, while still looking down brought a hand to her face and appeared to rub her eyes with it. "I put on such a... hideous facade to hide these pathetic, weak desires. Despite how I may seem, I just want to exist and be accepted. Wherever I can." She finally looked up, >>
[02:53:29] Arahnea A: >> "Is that so wrong? I abandoned this monstrous form to have a chance at some semblance of normality. And I've found it in a sense, as normal as a voidborn can get... at least." She looked back at the spider body, then down at her hands. "I stole this body... what could only be a few weeks ago... And in that time I've done and experienced so much that I could never have imagined otherwise. I've no words that can properly explain the things I've felt, whether they are mine or the previous >>
[02:53:50] Arahnea A: owner of this body's bleeding through to me. I am by no means 'good' or a saint, I will now and always be a voidborn monster, but I can at least try, right?" At this point she was simply venting, what had to be weeks worth of pent up emotion finally being let out as the bottle cracked once she was in a place she felt safe. She saw Luna open her arms and almost couldn't move quickly enough to take up that offer. How sad, for someone who once appeared so confident, so powerful to be >>
[02:55:16] Arahnea A: reduced to what may as well have just been an emotionally overwhelmed girl. How absolutely pathetic. The cavern dwelling void creature trying to pretend it was a real person. Pathetic. Weak. Naive. Disgusting. Those in the dark would do well to know they dwell there for a reason. There was no place for them in the light. Now or ever. Reach for the sunrise all they want, the cold, relentless dark is all that will ever greet them.
[03:10:29] Luna A: did her best to comfort the spider. “Though I’d be lying if I said the thought of hunting and enjoying aether now doesn't’ excite me, I’m glad you’re willing to confide in me this much.” She gently petted the back of Arah’s head, enjoying the feeling of her hair through her fingers. “I know how it feels to wish to be a part of a group. I was often ostracized myself. First by my tribe for accepting the garlean’s rule, and then by the garleans themselves for being>
[03:10:39] Luna A: <non-garlean. Whatever may have been before, know what I see now. I see a wonderful voidkin who is trying to learn of the world. And though there are desires that can’t go ignored forever, she does her best to be somewhat civil about it. There’s no need to be truly good. That doesn’t exist. What is a heroic act for one is a condemning one for another. All we can do is help those we care about.” And right now, Luna realized she cared about Arah.>
[03:10:47] Luna A: Freia remained silent, but she did push out that cold aura more powerfully, giving Arah what comfort she can. There was empathy inside of her, even if she had difficulty expressing it. Perhaps it was Luna rubbing off on her, or perhaps she was a lot more like Arah than she thought she could be.>
[03:10:53] Luna A: Luna let the embrace go on as long as Arah wished, wanting to let her have the release of emotion she seemed to so desperately need. “If you are seeking a true friend, you are free to look to me for it. There is no need for a formal transaction. Just the two of us, working to aid the other when we are able to.” As simple a pact it was, she knew it was why she and Freia could grow oh so strong.
[03:15:33] Arahnea A: held tightly for several moments before abruptly letting go and walking away towards the entrance. The aura puppet that had been maintaining the globe of fire illuminating the room let teh globe dissipate and fizzle out as it knelt down to join the others in their silent vigil. "I wish to leave these caves... There is one other... specific thing I would like to show you." Her words, as ever were full of apprehension. She did not even pause to look back adn see if Luna were following her.
[03:17:43] Luna A: gave no hesitation, following Arah in almost literal blind trust. “By all means lead the way. I wouldn’t wish to deny a friend something they wish that is so easy to grant.” WIth another smile and a final glance at her new friend’s true form, she followed the silver-haired spider she came to enjoy the company of.

[03:22:58] Arahnea A: stepped into the room silently, then suddenly began sliding the strap of her top to the side, exposing her shoulder and neck. "Do it or don't. I'm giving you the chance to feed off of me, a pureblooded voidborn of the Thirteenth. I... don't mind it... I've fed off of you numerous times already so... It's only fair now that you've gotten a taste for aether." She looked away, blushing heavily. "I've never allowed anyone to do this before..."
[03:27:01] Luna A: couldn’t help but be surprised in full this time. There truly was no barriers betwixt them now. She held up a hand though, “Just proffer me your arm. Like you first fed on me, I too will feed on you. Three draughts of blood from the arm.” She said it kindly. This wasn’t a debt being repaid, merely friends paying it forward. That and after the fearless she had witnessed from the mere eating of a heart, she wanted to keep a safe enough distance to disengage quickly.
[03:29:54] Arahnea A: growled, "I said do it or don't!" As she took her jacket off and let it fall beside her, lifting up top up and off entirely and tossing it aside until she stoop in her shorts and odd stringy small top. "This matters to me so please. At least do it as I offer it."
[03:35:55] Luna A: gave a nod, “Alright, as you wish it to be done.” She brought Arah into a cold embrace once more, kissing at her cheek before moving her mouth down to her neck. Her tongue flicked out before she sank her teeth into it. SHe took one deep drink before her eyes flashed Azure and she finished with a small sip. “Thank youuuu for your trussst,” their combined voices spoke out, licking their teeth clean of the blood they gained. “Like a dewdrop crystallizing in the night. Thank you for>
[03:36:04] Luna A: <the gift.” It would have been very hard to disengage without Freia’s help. The thought of Aether really was addicting to her.
[03:42:21] Arahnea A: groaned heavily. In exasperation. "If this is how you are going to be about it then you leave me no choice." Her arachnid limbs unfurled quickly and wrapped about Luna's waist heavily in an angered grasp. She brought a hand behind Luna's head and forced the Viera back down toward her collar. "What kind of pathetic excuse for a bite is that. Fucking. Bite. Me." She had felt nearly nothing, the slightest, faintest draw on her aether. And it annoyed her.
[03:43:34] Arahnea A: "If i'm letting you do this, then at least do it like the gods damned voidkin you want to be."
[03:46:26] Luna A: was caught off-guard, expecting Arah to be far more reserved about her aether being drawn from. As she was placed down though, she had no hesitation in taking more. She clamped down hard, threatening to leave a scar from the bite now. And then she began to draw, deep sips all the way, that aura of cold freezing the floor underneath their feet. It was delicious and oh so sweet a treat. After a couple moments of that bliss though, she disengaged once more. Her eyes split between that of>
[03:46:33] Luna A: <Freia and Luna, all she could do was smile a sadistic smile. “Oh how I love your taste. I would drink you all if it didn’t mean losing you. This desire, it is so hard to not give in and wish for more, more, more.” She got a crazy look in her eyes almost, that feral gaze now piercing Arah’s.
[03:54:19] Arahnea A: smiled, finally feeling Luna go for it with purpose. She felt the Viera's teeth sink into her flesh and that rough, earnest siphon on her aether. That pull feeling like part of herself was blatantly being taken, she had never felt it so strongly in all her time. Her grip around Luna's waist with her arachnid limbs was released... though at an almost instinctual level those same taloned limbs turned entirely on Luna. It took pure force of will to hold back, those taloned limbs visibly >>
[03:54:21] Arahnea A: >> shaking, claws clacking and grasping at nothing. The sudden loss made her legs shiver... it... felt... unexplainably good. As Luna pulled away, arahnea's spider limbs calmed and laid at her sides. She spoke in a quiet voice. "That's... better..." Arahnea leaned forward and pressed her lips to Luna's and in that brief moment siphoned what aether she could from Luna through that kiss.
[03:58:02] Luna A: felt herself calm as she enjoyed the kiss with Arah. And as that bit of aether was taken back, the aura of cold around her diminished somewhat for Freia to store the aether instead. Pulling back from the kiss with a slight smirk, she decided to let it go. “How you developed the self-control to not drain me dry when I first met you, I know not. But that, that was absolute bliss.” And she meant it. That caving to her desires, letting her basest wishes be fulfilled. It was intoxicating.
[04:04:24] Arahnea A: sighed softly. "You're not much of a voidsent, I'll tell you that... I'm disappointed in you. Freia." She turned her gaze to the mammet. "You're either a coward or aren't a kin devourer. Or perhaps you're just not one for natural born denizens of the Thirteenth. The taste remind you too much of home?" She smiled, placing a hand to the bite wound on her collar, a soft aether channeling to close the bite. "If nothing else, I wanted to... Both repay but also give you a chance to know what a >>
[04:04:25] Arahnea A: >> voidsent tastes like. Since you'll likely never be able to do so to a willing one again. It'll be a fight with most others I would assume."
[04:09:23] Luna A: The mammet only offered a shrug. “It hassss been so long. Anf Luna still hold most of the body withhhhout strenuous circumstance.” Luna offered a pat to her Avatar’s mouthpiece. “We‘ll certainly see how things pan out. Two things are certain though. That I will both be consuming aether like never before and that I will be available should anything go awry. Or if you just wish for some company.” She gave another cold smile to the woman, knowing the bond forged now. “But, after all>
[04:09:31] Luna A: <that has happened, I think it best I am out of the sanctuary before Ceana awakes. And though I know you could track me, I’ll save you the effort, I’m staying at the Forgotten Knight at the moment. Just ask for me.” And with that, she turned towards the door, offering a wink behind her and the chance for a final goodbye as well.
[04:09:38] Luna A: (one more post from you and then scene?))
[04:11:59] Arahnea A: shrugged her shoulders gently. "Indeed. Perhaps it would be best to be gone from here before that leech awakens. I may stop by there sooner than you think." She said as she put her top and jacket back on. "Either way, a bond forged indeed. I'll... see you around, moonlight."
[04:12:23] Luna A: "And you as well, dewdrop"

• Back

Her First Taste

Acclue cried out and sat up, panting loudly, eyes darting around the room. She looked frantic. Panicked. She must have just woken from a nightmare. Her gaze finally settled on Luna and tears started to form in the corner of her eyes, a gentle whimper rising from the Lalafell.Luna glanced up from the succubus-shaped mammet in front of her to see the void-touched woman she knew come up with a start. She did have to take some of the blame for bringing this knowledge to Acclue, but she would have found out eventually regardless. Arah was with Pyria, and there was no way she would just let the significant void presence slip without notice. "I take it you've had some time to think then?"Acclue brought her hands up to her head and gripped it tight "I don't... know what to do, Luna! I heard it! I heard it talking to me! Some kind of pact... I don't remember making a pact. I'm forgetting something really important here. I-I don't know what it wants. I don't know why it's letting me live. Does it expect something from me? Is there some kind of cost for keeping my free will? Do I have free will?" she asked, grasping for some kind of sense "You have a pact with a voidsent... what should I expect from this?"The succubus turned towards Acclue, hovering over and checking her body somewhat. "You, you made the pact willingly, yesss?" Her voice was still slow, but she was getting better at speaking now. "It was not one made in desperation, thusss you must have kept sssomething. I know not what mannerrr of voidsent residessss within you, but they are indeeed powerful."
Luna stood up, moving to the bed to sit next to the lalfell. Even while sitting though, she felt as though she towered above the little creature. "Freia and I made our pact because we both needed it to survive. If you entered willingly, it means it is not inherently for mutual benefit. If there's one thing I've learned, it is that the voidsent are transactional in nature. You were given power and the ability to survive the ritual you performed. What cost the voidsent you pacted with draws I could not say for certain."The Lalafell looked down sadly "I don't remember. Something happened that I can't remember, and I don't know what kind of pact I made, but I did, didn't I? I willingly pacted with one of them."
She sniffled a little "Transactional... so it does expect something from me? The ability it offered me is obvious, but what does it get in return? It said the pact is unbroken, so I... I guess I've done what it's wanted so far, but what exactly is that?" Acclue closed her eyes and tried to hold back her tears "I need to figure out what it wants. If it means I get to keep my own will, I... I have to appease it."Luna only offered a shrug. "If they're anything like Freia, you're their vessel. If you perish, they are sent back to the void where they will battle for just scraps of the small morsels available to them there. I wouldn't be surprised if they are just being a consistent drain on your aether, making you draw upon the surrounding aether like only we can so that it can siphon some of it away." It was a random possibility, but not an impossible one.
Freia took a moment to speak up as well, "You, you wished for power. They opened the floodgates for you to consume aether like never before. THe pricccce is almost certainly a share of that Aether for them to grow ssstronger." She flitted back to Luna's shoulder. "But, no matter the priccce, they won't kill you until they believe they can holddd the body on their own."Acclue bit her lip, desperately trying to regain her composure "I really do have to go with Pyria then. I need to learn more about the void. About my connection to it. How to control it before it can take control of me. If it hasn't already." she sighed "And I need to be isolated. If it does overcome me, I can't just be sitting around in a population center like this anymore. I'm too dangerous."
She looked up again, a tired determination in her eye "Pyria... she's dangerous, isn't she? And she definitely doesn't have good intentions for the mortal world. Keep your enemies close I suppose..." she was trying hard to justify what she had to do."What mannny consider villains, othersss stil consider friends," Freia spoke smoothly. "Pyria is powerful, muchhh like Arah and myself. But, that does not mean them baddd."
Luna chimed in as well, "You saw how Arah was acting with me. Though I have a significant connection to the void, she still hold no ill will with me. I have no delusions about us doing the 'right' thing," she chortled a little at the thought of it. "But, no matter what happens, I can promise you knowledge is not inherently bad to attain." She sighed a little, caressing Freia's mouthpiece with a pair of fingers. "They don't wish for the end of the mortal world. They all chose escape from the void for a reason. I intend to work with them. They are not my enemies, I wish for them to be friends."Acclue wanted to object to this, but she couldn't. There was no moral high ground here. She was just as much a villain herself for what she'd done, and though she was working hard to try and redeem herself, there was no calling herself a hero. This was the territory of grey within grey. Everyone had their own motive here, and there was little that could be said for a higher calling.
She just had to nod in tired agreement "Yeah... There's no heroes or villains here. Just us. And these people have greater potential to be allies... friends... than any mortals do at this point. Haha... I guess I'm... kinda in their shoes myself too. Can I really consider myself mortal anymore?" she gave turned her head up with a bewildered smile "I guess this is where I belong."There wasn't much more to be said, Acclue had hit it right on the head. "Mortal or not, possessed or not, the path you choose is still your own. Should those paths cross poorly, I will not be able to continue to call you friend. But should we maintain that relationship, I would be glad to have another pacted by my side." She smiled faintly, while Freia seemed to roll her eyes a little. Much as she was in it for mutual benefit, they were still voidsent.
"Now, what do we do about Pyria's offer? Powerful as she is, I doubt there is any world in which she bargains Desmind off of your back. And, knowing him, he won't exactly like the work you've signed up for, nor the company you keep." Freia's eyes seemed to light up a little with an idea, but kept it to herself for the moment.Acclue rolled her eyes and fell back onto the bed "Desmind... you're right. He's got this crazy grudge against me." she sighed "I wouldn't put it past him to break orders and follow me." she closed her eyes hard "And if he does, he'll either reveal us or Pyria will kill him. Fuck." she groaned "We have to do something about Desmind. He never gives me a real answer when I ask what his problem is, so there's no talking it out either."Freia spoke up this time. "If he breaksss orders, then I doubt anyone would worry should he disappearrrrr." The intonation of that was palpable, and Luna looked at Freia interested. "That very well could work," she noted, "not to mention the glut of aether would be an incredibly potent way to kickstart our power." The two seemed to be in agreement of this idea, not even addressing the fact they were considering not just killing, but consuming, another mortal.
It took a moment, but Luna shook her head eventually. "No, that wouldn't work. Authorities would still come questioning, and there's no telling how long it would take to trace it back to someone." Freia flew up to Luna's face, speaking directly into their frozen soul. "You knowwww you want to try it. You know you're curios about the taste of another's aether. I will take care of the dining, you two just need to make him disappear somewhere inconspicuous." Luna was, almost afraid. Not because of what she might do, but because she might enjoy it so thoroughly.Acclue raised an eyebrow at the proposition "We can't just kill him. He didn't even do anything wrong, really. He's just... annoying." but as much as Acclue wracked her brain for a solution, it kept feeling like it was the only way. His abrasive nature already made him disliked among the Flames. His disappearance wouldn't just be overlooked, but it's not like they would try very hard to make a case for him. "Ugh... I hate this. I'm not a murderer... anymore. I don't do this. This isn't a solution. It's just... proving him right.""Than don't beeee. Just lure him, and I'll take carrre of the rest." Freia's aura could be felt as her desire for mortal aether grew more palpable. "You need him gone, I can make ssssure of that much." Was that, a tongue, licking her lips?
Luna was somewhat conflicted, but the more Freia talked, the more she wanted to agree. Perhaps it was just that the two of them shared a body, but she felt it, that desire for mortal aether. And this having not even tasted it yet. She wondered what Desmind would taste like. Arah had mentioned she was much like moonlight. He was likely not nearly as tasty a treat, but surely it would be interesting. "Tell Pyria to insist you travel by land. They'll see it as safer because then an outburst from you doesn't bring an entire airship down. Desmind can follow us. Once we are in Mor Dhona, it should be trivial to kill him en route. The ogres there are plenty threat enough that anyone seen snooping around would find themselves killed. And the destabilized aether from the shard of Dalamud would mean his body would decompose unnaturally quick anyways." Her years of surveillance were paying off. She had been on the other side of this, needing to find a body. The ones that got away weren't necessarily the subtlest, but the ones that placed their kills in a scenario where a different explanation was easier to accept.Acclue stared up at the ceiling again, weighing her options "There aren't going to be anymore easy decisions, are there? This is survival." she whispered to herself, covering her eyes with her hands "One more life. That's all it is. Just one more." she told herself, but deep down she wondered just how many 'one more' lives to come there would be.Freia was excited, but Luna was nervous. It was a solid plan, with little room for error. And, at the end of it, she knew it would put her past another point of no return. "No choices will be easy. But no power will be greater. No knowledge deeper. We will not just survive, but thrive. THat is my pact with Freia, and that is a promise I intend to keep."

Luna woke up feeling rather refreshed. It was still blisteringly warm, but the cold aura of Freia was able to help abate that. Speaking of the void inside her heart, she noticed the Succubus mammet sitting still. It looked like a plush. Rubbing what remaining sleep she had form her eyes, she noticed the void-touched lalafel on the couch. She must have slept here overnight. Well, one less person she would have to track down then.She felt the cold tingle the back of her neck, and saw the succubus stir from its rest as well. "Good to see that the connection was maintained overnight. Hopefully means we can actually talk at some point." Freia's mouthpiece gave a nod at the sentiment before hovering towards their shared shoulder. It would be a very cute bond they had, if it weren't underlined with the plan for what had to be done. For the moment though, she decided to meditate and communicate internally with Freia. As if to signify Freia's presence, the room continued to be rather chilling, almost as cold as the land they would be returning to.Acclue had barely slept at all. She had spent most of the night trying to think of some way to avoid what had to be done, but nothing came to her. She would have to be a part of killing someone who had devoted the last few months of their life trying to prove that she was evil. She had determined that she didn't want to see his face when it happened, if she could help it. Looking him in the eyes as he realized that his death had been engineered by the very person he suspected filled her with too much guilt.
She turned over when she heard movement behind her to see Luna stirring from her sleep as well "... Hey." she said dryly, not sure what else she could possibly start with "You're up. You ever kill someone who didn't deserve it before?" she shook her head "I mean on purpose."Luna popped an eye open at Acclue's comment, making the room's chill aura fade somewhat. "As a guard, I never get the chance to question the motives of those I am ordered to kill. I provide a warning, and if they persist I shoot them where they stand. Nothing more. Though I haven't done it to many, I never truly felt regret." She never really killed with purpose though. It was just a perfunctory way of life for her really. Any death she brought was to further her own agenda. She would choose to let live that which would bring her no harm, but usually her hands would need to get dirty.
"If you are worried about Desmind accusing you of the murder, he's wrong. Much as you aren't resisting the plan, all you have to be is the bait. Willing or no, you made a deal with Pyria. He'll choose if he goes against orders and follows you anyways. And no matter the relation I may have, someone sneaking near our camp is a danger I could not let go unpunished, especially in the wilder areas of Eorzea. I could probably claim I killed him and get no more than a slap on the wrist." Not that she would fess up to it, there was no need. He would be declared insubordinate, then have to be tracked. By the time they would figure out where he died, his body would be long gone. Drained of aether and in Arah's, and probably Freia's, stomachs.Acclue sighed, "I've spent enough time with him. I know him well enough to know he'll follow. I do kind of wish I knew why though. He's obsessed with me. If I didn't know he hated me, I'd guess he's smitten." she blew the hair out of her eyes and started to fix the bangs that had become messy sleeping on the couch "Probably just a self-righteous zealot looking for someone to be mad at. I dunno."
She looked toward the door and wondered how long it would take before they'd be off. "So I should just... try not to let it bother me. Tell myself he's a dumbass who wouldn't leave well enough alone." she shrugged "I mean, not like that's incorrect. But I still feel like I'm going to be the one in the wrong here."Luna could only offer a slight shrug before standing up from the bed and stretching out. "There's no true right or wrong. Just those who live and die. Much as I preach mutual benefit to our voidsent friends, at the end of the day, I only go into that with those who could benefit from each other. Desmind is an obstacle to our progress, and a threat to our safety. What side he is on matters little." SHe said it coldly, probably because half the words were Freia's.
Going to the mirror, she brushed out her hair and styled it back up. Nothing too fancy, but enough to look decent. "We'll need to find Pyria and Arah here. Arah's likely hiding in Pyria's room from the heat. And I wouldn't be surprised if Pyria spent all night bidding for your deportation."Acclue jumped to her feet and stumbled a little, brushing herself off as she retrieved her hat from a nearby table "Well, I guess I'll be a free woman soon. Sort of. We best go find them." she was running her hands through her own hair herself, ensuring no knots had formed at least before she placed the large mage hat upon her head.Luna made her way down to the quicksand's lobby, hating the absence of the cold room that she had. Walking up to the front desk, she asked for where Pyria's room was. It took a little convincing, but she eventually got the room number and was able to make her way there. Once at the room, she gave a knock on the door. "Arah? I'm guessing you're in there. Time to get up, we've got some walking ahead of us, but also the potential for a nice meal tonight." She was hoping the carrot would work, and not just needing to use the stick.Arahnea had slept... quite well all things withstanding... as well as the events of the night prior not to mention in this heat. A sudden knock at the door made her eyes slowly open, looking around she took several moments to remember where she was. She crawled off the bed on hands and knees, heedless of her appearance and strode sleepily to the door. With a heavy yawn and one eye still closed she opened the door, looking out it.
Truly she looked quite how one would expect a nocturnal voidsent being woken up early would appear. Short white hair ruffled, silver eyes glazed over still half-asleep and nude save for her panties. She spoke with yet another heavy yawn, her sharp teeth showing blatantly. "Hwaaah... Whozit... Eh? Oh, Moonlight... Whaddaya you want...?" It took her a moment to get the gears turning in her head, but recognition finally struck her. "We're goin' somewhere? Ugh... Can't we wait til the sun sets?"Pyria in the room.. was still asleep curled up like a cat in covers.. only the pale skin of her nose and lower face and her blood red lips could be seen under her hood of blankets..
"Arah... who is it... if it's fucking.. another one of those paper pushers.. kick his dick.."Acclue yawned herself "I didn't sleep so great either, you know. But we gotta get moving, so we can take care of..." she looked around, as if Desmind could be around the corner, listening to them "Uhh... the thing we need to do.""Fortunately, I don't have a dick to kick." Luna gave Arah a pat on the head before stepping into the room, Freia floating in behind her. "I suppose I should fill the two of you in as well. We have a slight wrinkle in bringing Acclue to Ishgard. Her parole officer is likely to follow her, regardless of how successfully you managed to negotiate. That means we'll need to, dispose of him. We figured we walk to Coerthas, and make camp in Mor Dhona. With the unstable aether there, the excuse can be his body decomposed too quickly for the authorities to find. When in reality, we've killed him."
The plan was rather straightforward, even if it did mean forgoing an airship. "We need to leave early to get enough of a head start on him so that we can actually get the kill in Mor Dhona, else I would let you wait until the sun had set." She felt a pang of sorrow for Arah, not wishing to put her in pain. "The good news is that Freia and I are working on our abilities, so we should be able to keep you relatively cool on the way through Thanalan."
As if on queue, the succubus mammet floated across the room to Pyria. "A pleasureeee to finally meeet." She nodded at the ashkin before making her way back to Luna's shoulder.Arahnea was already annoyed. She slumped over forward with a heavy sigh, "Ughhh... Can't... Can't I just kill them here?" She stepped back into the room, ruffling her hair a bit to try and get the bed head look out. Her clothes lay in a pile at the foot of the bed, she looked at them then turned to Pyria, "You said you have other clothes I could wear, right?"
She turned back towards Luna after hearing the little plan, her eyes following Freia about the room. "What's Mor Dhona? Another city? Please tell me it's not as hot as this hellhole..."Pyria sat up in bed.. raven black hair in her lips.. her golden eyes dim and dull.. she was blinking really slow.. reaching out of her cacoon of warmth she pointed at her bag in the corner of the room..
"Its the black ones.. I tried to find some that suited you.."
She gave a long yawn.. then flopped back into the bed the other way... clearly she was not a morning person.. or she had been up terribly late dealing with coin dealings.."We can't kill him here because as much as the others in his group dislike him, he's a member of the Immortal Flames." Acclue sighed "And it would be way too easy to trace back to me being involved and slow this whole process down if it doesn't get us figured out. If he dies mysteriously out in the wastes where he isn't ordered to go, we have plausible deniability."
Acclue put a hand to her chin at the mention of Mor Dhona "It's a wasteland between here and Coerthas. There's like one town there, somehow. Not really sure about the weather, I've never been.""Unfortunately, we don't have the safety net of Shadowgate to use as a way of killing Desmind. And, as Acclue said, if a flame dies in Ul'Dah, a full-blown investigation will take place. I hear the airships all got delayed for maintenance anyways, so this is the quickest way back to Ishgard." She looked away, remembering what she had come to the conclusion of last night. "Besides, I'd prefer to, ah, savor, my first meal." Was that a little red in her cheeks? She was still mildly conflicted about it, but she didn't dare reveal that to those present. She had made her choice, and now she would lie with it.
Freia was a bit more brazen though. "I for one am looking forward to my firsssst proper meal." It was quite clear the mammet was attempting a grin, as difficult as that was with the inanimacy of its form. "It has been so long since I have feasssted upon the aether of another.""Wait, you're gonna eat him?" She said as she walked over to the bag Pyria indicated and pulled the black clothes from it, looking at them. "You seem hesitant. Isn't this what you wanted? What better way to start than for it to be someone we all want gone.*
She began putting the black shorts on as she spoke, "If anything, dearest Freia, I pity that it has to be done in such a way. By proxy, that is. I'm sure you'd love to at least be able to savor the flesh and blood. Though I suppose you can vicariously experience that through Luna." She pulled the top over her head and adjusted it, ignoring the fact that she still had not put on a bra of any kind. "Let me say this plainly, come what may, I want his heart."Acclue winced a little at how readily they spoke of consuming the man "Jeez, do you girls just do this regularly or something?" she shook her head and sighed "I guess it's a survival thing or something for you. You better not be bringing me home to clean up your bloodstains after you or something though." she hesitated for just a moment before she added half-jokingly "Or to become them."Pyria sat back up.. hair still in her mouth..
"Arah.. pig hearts are not good for you.. you should eat cow hearts they have far less things that make you bloat.."
She blinked a few times.. squinting staring at the door... only to brighten up..
"Oh.. Luna Acclue!.. oh.. forgive me.. it was a long night let me get up..""Iffff need be, I can take control of the body," Freia noted. "I thought it beterrr Luna have the chance to sample it though. THere will alwaysss be more aether to consume. Such is the naturee of the sssource." The mammet spun around, the best approximation to excitement that Freia could muster.
Luna nodded to Arah. "It is what I wished to try. Doesn't mean I'm not still somewhat hesitant. It feels, almost wrong, to knowingly consume a sentient person. I've killed before, but not like this, not for this reason." This one was different, she knew that much. "By all means place dips on what you would like. neither I nor Freia have the slightest clue as to what mortal aether and flesh is like." Waving to Pyria, she nodded. "Take the time you need, we have another long day ahead of us. I'll presume by your grogginess you didn't hear the plan?"After having gotten dressed and fixed her hair somewhat, Arah sighed heavily. "Haa, alright. Well..." She walked over towards the bed as she spoke. "I think she should try everything, honestly. Full exposure and all that. Bit of flesh, bit of blood, nibble of various organs that strike her fancy. Maybe see if she can break the bones to taste marrow."
She crawled up onto the bed and sat on Pyria's lap as they still attempted getting up. "Not everyone is me though, I'd leave nothing left save their clothes and anything metal. Maybe a stain on the ground." She leaned down to her and non-chalantly nestled closely to Pyria, basking in the woman's ambient aether like a strange voidsent version of a light breakfast.Pyria was blinking awake as Arah sat on her lap nuzzling into her.. she moved a hand up and stroked one of Arah's cheeks with the back of it without really thinking.. looking back over to the other two..
"S..soo.. what did I miss..? Sorry I only got a few hours of sleep.."Acclue flipped her hat up to look at Pyria "There's this guy who's obsessed with me in the guard, and he needs to die. We're gonna make him disappear in Mor Dhana, and apparently Luna's gonna eat him. And that's a sentence that I guess I'm just going to have to get used to saying." she wandered over toward the window to check out what kind of view they would have given an Ishgardian noble."Pretty much what she said," Luna added on, "we'll need to walk it, as the airships are delayed. If they insist on you having an escort as a lady of high standing, My adventuring credentials and guardswoman specialty should be enough to satisfy them. We want to get going sooner rather than later if possible, as once the problem catches wind of Acclue not being his responsibility, he will quickly begin to follow us." She knew they would be somewhat slow until they got out of the desert. Hopefully it was raining further north, then they might have a chance to make good time.
"You heard Moonlight, let's go. Up up, Pyria. Lemme see them golds. We've got hell to walk through!" Her energy quickly dissipated as she said those last words. After several moments savoring that taste of golden flowers from Pyria's aether she sat back up and looked about the room.Her glowing silver eyes settling on Acclue, though she said nothing. Just a blatant stare for several moments before those silver eyes lit like witchfire orbs for the briefest moment. After a bit she finally spoke. "You look better. Sleep off the worst of your revelations? Also, yes. If you maintain present company, the sight of Luna and I eating mortals should become a common sight. Though in varying degrees of method. Personally, I hope she ends up being savage like me when she eats." She looked back to Luna and smiled genuinely, subtly wishing to have an ally that shared her sentiments, as unlikely as it may be.

Pyria gave a shrug..
"I mean voidsent tend to do that, it's no different then if you and I were hunting a hog to eat. Both scream and squeal when you stick em with the pointy end.. so not much of a difference there.."
She got up.. wearing a silken night gown up to her upper thigh was.. slightly sheer.. as she just walked over as Accrule was staring out the window over the view of Thanlan.. she reached into the bag.. pulling out a brush as she started to brush her hair..
"Oh you are not that savage Arah, frankly it's like a cute puppy when you come for a drink."
She reached a hand out and patted Arah on the head smiling at her before realizing she still had some hair in her mouth and spent a few moments trying to spit it out.. before getting it and giving a shudder of hating that feeling.. just to reach back into her bag.. pulling out a travel dress and boots..
"Alright I'll be just a moment..!"
And she walked off into the bathroom and shut the door..The Lalafell stared out at the city "I don't much feel better. And I didn't sleep well. What happens next isn't fun for me. Annoying as the man is, and necessary as this endeavor is, it's hard not to grow at least somewhat attached to someone you spend as much time as I have with him." she couldn't help but smirk "Hate to say that I'm going to miss how easy it was to mess with him."
She turned to look Arahnea in the eyes as Pyria left "... I suppose the analogy of hunting a hog works if I consider myself to be above other mortals. But I don't. I may have powers that make me stronger than them, but they're still kin to me." she tilted her head as she stared at the spider woman "I wonder, do you see me as nothing more than prey as well?" she asked. There was no fear in her eyes, it seemed like it was just a curious question to her.Pyria called out from the bathroom..
"Not what I said little one! It meant that they need aether just as you and I need food. If a deer walked into your camp and you were hungry what would you do?"
She said from the bathroom her voice muffled and somewhat quieter.. seemingly still listening to what was going on outside the door.Luna looked almost downcast, she had no clue what her reaction would be to the consumption of aether. To be honest she wasn't sure if she should be doing it. "I suppose we'll see. I hope to be at least a little reserved about it. But, knowing how much self-control you have to exercise just to not tear me apart when you enjoy my aether, I have a feeling it will be stronger a pull than I realize." Freia offered no comment or comfort, merely that now familiar tingling of cold in the back of her head. This was something she would need to do on her own. At least it seemed she would have a common friend in eating with Arah.She stared back at Acclue. "Prey, not so much. Though I do wonder what you taste like... I hope you aren't offended by that. Well... even if you are it's no difference to me. I'm sure at least once I'll get a taste." She spoke matter of factly, as if it were an inevitability.
"I am sorry you have had to go through with all of that, but to my eyes you're not a mortal. You feel more like kin than Luna does. In a sense. Well, less than a sense. Am I making sense...?* "She crawled off the bed once again in the absence of Pyria.* "Either way, you've signed your contract in blood, so to speak. So best to make the most of it, right?"Acclue gave a small laugh "I don't remember signing anything, that's the problem. I'm starting to get the feeling that it made me forget on purpose. That it's manipulating me. Maybe I'm nothing but a puppet, but at least for now, I can say that I still feel like a mortal."
She finally smiled again, seeming to regain that confident energy she had when they first met "You definitely got one thing right though. I'm going to make use of this power. Maybe I'm doomed, but at least I can make my life mean something. If not for myself then for the sake of everyone that was sacrificed to get me here. I can't bring those people back, but I can make what they gave mean something. That's how I see it." she leaned over the window again to face away from Arahnea "Including Desmind." she added.Luna laughed as Arah twisted her own tongue. "Somewhat. I suppose at the end of the day, I'm the most mortal. After all, Freia and I are at least able to separate who is who, and only one of us is inequivicably voidsent." She leaned against a wall, realizing they wouldn't be moving out all that quickly. "I suppose you can see it like that. What you do with your power is your choice and yours alone. What the cost was matters little if it has already been spent."And with that.. the door came open and Pyria was in her new clothes.. blinking at all of them..
"Woah.. this is some.. miasma of melancholy going on in here, come on common let's go!"
She gave a overly dramatic step with a hop to it in her trot..
"But if you as me.. as the one who's probably the oldest IN HUMAN TERMS, you two.."
She looked at Luna and Acclue..
"You keep wondering about the next step and not taking it.. if you don't just take it you won't move."
Looking at Luna she said..
"Less so you.. but I still see a girl who reminds me of my old self when they first gave me the lance.. though to be fair you are twice as cute as I was."
She gave a loud giggle before opening the door.. and waiting for the voidsent to follow..In the end, Arahnea fell back to her former annoyance as Pyria opened the door. Finally facing the fact that she had to trudge through the heat once more... She unashamedly walked up to Luna and stood close as she could in preparation for leaving. "How... How far is it to Mor Dhona? It's close, right? This... Desmind person, is he a fighter or just another bookworm scholar? Asking because I just am curious if he's going to struggle much or not..."
She stared hatefully at the door as she all but clung to Luna's left arm, seeking the chill like one would normally cling close to a fire in the coerthan wilds. "Luna is right though, what's been done is already done. What is the point in refuting it now? I say just embrace it.""I'd much rather take the leap when I know it can't be traced back to me. Hence why I'm waiting until Mor Dhona." Luna let her arm be clung to as much as necessary, Freia pulsing out a nice, chilling aura for the spider to latch on to. "It'll be a little ways, likely the majority of the day. Regardless though, we'll make camp in Mor Dhona before we reach Revenant's Toll, so as to give Desmind ample opportunity to catch up. Acclue would no better than I of his capabilities, but he would be somewhat of a fighter. A challenge I doubt, but he won't just succumb easily. If anything, he'd try to run and report us to the local authorities." She followed Pyria out of the room, ready to get on the road. "Oh, and Arah, I took the liberty of getting you an umbrella," she handed the spider a simple black umbrella. "Technically for the rain, but also will provide you with some shade."Acclue turned to follow and wondered aloud about Desmind "You know, I've never seen him fight. He carries himself like a pugilist though. I trained in the same style when I first came to Ul'dah. I can't imagine he's that formidable, he feels like the type who's all talk."
She couldn't help but grow a small smile. Just embrace it, huh? She supposed that's what she was doing now. She was being considered as one of the voidsent, and was going to be working with them for the foreseeable future. Maybe she should just let herself be a monster. "A monster with standards." she whispered to herself, smirking as she nodded in approval at the idea.Arahnea took the umbrella, slightly confused at first. "Y'know... I'd have never thought of this..." She thought to pop it open almost immediately once she was in the sun, but thought better of it, she didn't want to inconvenience her cooler friend. Though first chance she had, this thing was getting used!
"Well, hopefully he's lean. And has a... sordid and questionable past..." She said vaguely, "Well... fuckin'... Let's be about it then. I can't sit here dreading it all day, that much was made certain..."Pyria spun around with a straight face and those inhuman golden eyes.. before just poking arah in the nose.. turning back around and stepping out into the heat.
"Acclue, as per my dealings I'll need you to be walking -with- me as we leave the city. And once we get out of city limits I can give you a staff, but not until then. That is the single rule. Stay close and then just walk to a new road."
She didn't turn around or look back instead she just continued to walk out into the heated streets.. luckily it was morning and desert mornings were nice and cool until the scathing of noon rose high and hot.."Well, you were never in a hot place until now," she noted it calmly for her, "just open it whenever you like. I don't particularly like the heat myself, and given that I already froze to death at some point, I doubt a little more cold is gonna hurt." she chuckled lightly at the comment, realizing it was probably true. No wonder she was a walking ice cooler, she was still frozen in the ice, dead if she ever finished thawing.
With little else to do, she just began to follow Pyria, curious if their journey would contain anything of note before they made camp in Mor DhonaAcclue's face brightened up as Pyria mentioned the stipulations of their deal "Ohoho, I'm getting a staff again? Wonderful! It's been a few weeks since I've been able to let loose." she was suddenly giddy and ran up to stand next to Pyria as instructed "I'll be good, promise."
She was bouncing with each step now. The thought of magic coursing through her, unleashing destruction, had her momentarily forgetting the deed they would have to undergo later in the day.

-----------LATER, IN MOR DHONA-----------Luna took an exasperated sigh. It was a long walk for sure, but it was also somewhat rejuvenating. Making their way through Thanalan, enjoying the gradually cooling temperatures competing with the sun's rays. She forgot how much she enjoyed just traveling a bit. But now came the more serious part. The day was coming to an end and they needed to make camp. Thankfully, they were a bit outside of Revenant's toll. It was a little strange for them to just camp instead of walking the extra mile or two to the town, but it was necessary for what they were planning on doing.
"This looks like a decent place to camp, good little cove for eating and only a couple entrances to watch. Those who are not partaking in the planned meal, feel free to make yourselves something to eat. Need to at least appear normal here anyways." She stretched before placing the bedroll she got on their way out of Ul'Dah on the ground. She didn't exactly need many accommodations.
Freia took the opportunity to break the travel's relative silence. "It isss nearly time to feed. I cannot wait ffffor it." Her excitement was tangible, and her hanging on consonants returned somewhat because of it. Even if she was starting to get smoother in her speech, there was always that icy undertone to it. Her words as cold as her abilities.Acclue looked uneasy. She still held onto the staff that had been given to her, but the manic delight with which she smote the first few marmots she spotted outside of the city gates in a roiling cascade of fire was calmed now, her own unnatural hunger sated for the time being. Ever since then, there had been a very faint glow in the scar on her face, though.
She had gathered a few dry pieces of wood in the center of the camp and effortlessly ignited it with magic before she sat close to it, holding tight to the staff with both hands, as if it were an object to comfort herself with. "Haven't seen him yet... maybe he has some restraint after all?" the Lalafell asked hopefully.Arahnea had grumbled the whole way through the desert areas, though she gradually regained some of her pep as they left and ventured into the colder region of Mor Dhona. She didn't do much to assist with this 'camp' setup, moreso intent on wandering the nearby area.
"So, its a waiting game is it? I can do that. I don't particularly feel anything in the area, though this... odd aether corruption is disconcerting. I don't like it. The air tastes rotten..." She cast her gaze over the others, settling on acclue with a small stare a she noticed the subtle glow upon their face. "Interesting. I noted that mark before but does it always glow? Your trepidation seems to have faded somewhat as well.""He probably didn't even realize you were gone until late morning, thinking the mage's guild had you or something. He'll probably be here soon enough though." She kept an eye out as Arah made her notes. "This is near where Dalamud fell. The aether is extremely tainted and corrupted. Much as I doubt that would effect you, I still wouldn't recommend draining the aether of anything native to here." If anything was native to Mor Dhona by now. "Regardless, whoever finds him brings him back here. I'd prefer to eat in private, at least for now. Don't care if he's still alive or dead when he's brought back though." She knew it was a preference, but she felt what was almost a rumbling in her stomach. Freia was hungry, she had vacated her succubus mouthpiece in favor of keeping all her focus on their shared body. And they were both quivering in anticipation of what was to come.
Acclue blinked a few times, looking down at herself "Glow?" she asked "Is it my scar? They told me it glowed after I used magic for the first time, and that's when my illness went away." she mumbled. She figured it would be easiest if she asked directly "Is... using magic good for a voidsent? It's unleashing aether, after all."
Acclue grumbled when she heard Luna's plans "I was hoping I might avoid having to see him." she held more tightly to the staff "But... I suppose it's best that I see it myself. I need to become accustomed to this.""Hmm... Well... I suppose. Nothing here struck any kind of fancy... Honestly this whole place reeks of corruption..." The mention of 'who found him first' brought a predatory grin to her face. "Does this mean I am allowed to hunt? All you want is his body brought back here, yes? I can most certainly bring him back... Perhaps in more pieces than expected, but back all the same."
Her arachnid limbs unfurled from about her waist as she took off her coat, their talons flexing and gripping at nothing. "It's been so long since I've been able to /chase/ someone, lately everything has been damn near spoon fed to me or presented and offered. there's something just... of so sweet about their desperate fleeing for their life."
She turned to Acclue, "As for magic... I've no idea, to be honest. As for seeing things through to the end... That is always for the best. I think you should see the light leave the mans eyes, but thats me and I am quite clearly the outlier here in this little quartet.""Enough of one piece ideally that I can at least know which part I'm eating for my first go around. But yes, by all means, hunt away. Between it being nightfall and the general strangeness of creatures here, you can be rather brazen with your appearance as well. Just stay away from the town while looking monstrous, lots of adventurers there." With that, she turned back towards acclue. "Yes, we'll see it to the end, all of us. Except for Pyria who has managed to fall asleep already by the looks of it. Best keep his screams short then I suppose." Motioning for Arah to take the first step for hunting, Luna began to look for a good place to take watch. Somewhere innocuous enough it wouldn't give Desmind suspicion, but advantageous enough she could get the drop on him.Arahnea didn't have to stray too far from the camp. The road they had just followed had a single torchlight moving along it toward them. An Elezen man still in an Immortal Flames uniform, a stern look on his face as he marched along the road from Thanalan, wasn't exactly trying to hide his presence. It was just like Acclue had said, he was following them despite the fact that they had obtained Acclue through proper channels.Arahnea had barely spent any time at all in the nearby woods before she saw that lone torchlight, a rather taciturn looking elezen man holding it aloft. Her silver eyes glinted in the dark as the whites of her eyes turned black. Six more arachnid eyes appeared and opened on her face, each one sharing that same eerie silver glow.
She silently crept along with the man, to the side just outside the range of the torch. A soft hiss left her lips as her fangs grew out. this must be the person... Surely... She could already taste the mans beating heart, hear his pulse. She quickened her pace to leap up into one of the trees down the path and waited for the elezen to grow closer... closer still...Luna noted the torchlight, and also spotted Arah creeping towards the man. She wouldn't have seen her if she didn't know she was there, Desmind didn't stand a chance. So, she just waited and watched, keeping the occasional eye on revenant's toll to ensure the watch wasn't looking their way. Once safe in that fact though, she turned to see the inevitable snuffing of torchlight, from which she would then make her way back to the camp.
The man was grumbling quietly to himself as he approached Arahnea's hiding place. He hadn't taken notice of her movements at all, too distracted by his own muttering. He walked directly under her, where she had time to hear him mutter something about 'that bitch'.Arahnea pounced, landing upon the Elezen man like a meteor crashing to the ground, her four arachnid limbs all splayed out as she fell.
Two the the mans shoulders as she forced him face first to the ground, one roughly moving to his face and sealing his mouth with aethersilk thread and her final limb to the lower base of the mans spine where she plunged the talons into his flesh and gripped the nerves and bones there in a grip that would rival even the most iron-fisted tyrant. She cracked and shattered that base to paralyze him from there on down. Regardless of his reaction she then stood up and began dragging him behind her by his spine, her 3 other limbs all joining in and gripping various parts of his back viciously.The grab was swift and near silent, save for the impending screams. But, the only things nearby that could hear were monsters, and they weren't likely to come knocking. WIth Desmind now properly incapacitated, Luna made her way back to the camp. "Arah got him," she noted flatly to Acclue. She knew a part of the woman wanted him to not have come following, but it was far too late now.The man cried out immediately at the landing, but that only offered Arahnea room to cover his mouth and silence him. Only muffled screams came out as he desperately tried to push her up and off of him, but the struggles grew much weaker after she crushed his spine. He continued crying out helplessly as he was dragged away, futilely attempting to push her off with what little strength he could now leverage.
Acclue took in a deep breath and closed her eyes "Yeah. I figured." she stood up from the campfire, beginning to pace nervously around the camp. She wondered if he would live long enough to learn that she was party to this. She supposed it wouldn't matter before long "He's not very bright."Arahnea was somewhat disappointed by how easily subdued this fool was. All in all though, it was more of a necessity and less of a hunt... She mused to herself as she dragged the elezen back to the camp. Still alive and crying out in muffled screams of pain.
As she made it back to the camp she turned slightly, swinging her four limbs around and unceremoniously tossing the paralyzed man into the center of the camp. She looked a fright, her spider nature blatantly evident with her multiple silver eyes, limbs and her maw full of vicious fangs. She hissed loudly as she tossed the man, "Shhhsshh... Alive. And brought back. In one piece." She turned to Luna. "Devour him. Alive. Watch the life fade from his eyes. I promise you will never forget your first, heh." She moved back to the elezen and cruelly grabbed him by the shoulders once more and sat him up to be facing the others, so he could see who was about to end his life, painfully."And quite stubborn," Luna added on, though realizing it's probably not what Acclue really wanted to hear. "But, regardless, it's one less issue to deal with. He'll go missing, and you'll be far more free because of it. It's just a price to pay like everything in this world tends to be." By the twelve, she was talking more and more like a voidsent each day. Perhaps Freia really was having an influence on her.
Then, Arah came back into the camp, dragging the Elezen behind her. Luna saw the fear in his eyes, saw the terror that held him still. But, she didn't feel remorse. She felt, excited. Like a child getting their first chocolate bar, she jsut wanted to know what it would taste like. She wasn't quite sure where to start though. "Hmmm, what would you recommend as a good baseline? Something to taste first. You're the resident expert here after all." As she said it, she walked up and crouched in front of Desmind, her heel stabbing into his calf without her even really caring. "You know, if you had just followed orders and stayed, this wouldn't have come to pass. But look, you've disappointed your previous charge. Silly of you to hold a grudge." Something inside of her was awakening, something sadistic she hadn't seen in such a long, long time.Acclue stared sadly at Desmind as he was propped up to watch them. His eyes locked with hers. His eyes were furious. One of his hands went to try to tear the web away from his mouth, while the other fumbled at his waistband, shaking as it took hold of a cestus. She closed her eyes with a pained expression before she approached him. "... Yeah. I know. I'm an evil witch you should have killed when you had the chance... maybe that would have been better for everyone." she said solemnly.
She stayed out of his arm's reach, but close enough to speak candidly "But I'm not done. I'm still moving. And that means I can still do something with this life. With the lives sacrificed for me. I know I'm not a good person. But I can at least make what I've done worth something to the world. So it wasn't a waste. I do this for their sake. For your sake." she stared him in the eyes for several moments before she spoke to the others without looking away "I've said my peace."
Desmind tried to flail around to strike at something at that point, screaming out in rage through the gag, but without his legs to carry him, he couldn't do anything meaningful.Arahnea looked on in... sadistic amusement. She watched the elezen man flail about and her talons gripped his shoulders ever tighter. To her, acclue's speech was oh so self-serving. Self-justifying. Denying her basest instincts. Did she not want part of this? Or at least the voidborn within her...
Her eight eyes all turned to focus on Luna, "You have two types. Those that prefer simply the aether and those that prefer the whole thing. If nothing else, if you cannot develop a taste for blood than you may as well just drain the man's til he's a husk. Orrrr..." She leaned down and sunk her fangs into the flesh of his shoulder, ripping free a hunk of muscle and then swallowing it. "You get a taste for flesh and blood... Go on. Take a good, long drink of that deep red lifesblood. Be quick about it, no wasting it now."Luna gave a shrug of her shoulders, easily batting away the flailing man's arms. "If you promise not to scream for help, I'll let you have some last words." She said that breathily into his ear as she then leaned over to the now gouged out shoulder. Her tongue flicked out at the edge of the wound, wishing to garner a small taste first. It was salty, and yet oh so sweet. Even just the small gulp she had gotten in that felt so, invigorating. Freia's cold prickled at the back of her mind, begging for more. Luna didn't hesitate.
She turned into a feral animal nearly, quickly latching on to his shoulder and siphoning most of the blood from his body. She left just enough for him to function, she at least had that much control. But by now, most of his internal functions would slow to a crawl. And with very draught, she realized more and more just how delectable it was. And each time she took a sip, the feeling of cold grew stronger around her. Freia's aura could not be denied, to the point Desmind's arm started to freeze completely.
Eventually detaching, Luna shattered the arm at the torn shoulder, biting into it like it was corn on the cob. "This has no right to be this good. And yet, I can't help myself but to partake more and more." Her eyes glistened with a primal joy as she bit into the arm, savoring the flesh as the blood that remained dripped down her throat. It was a wonderful mixture of flavors, but not the flavors she was used to. Instead of sweetness she tasted fear. Instead of sour she tasted pain. And through it all, she tasted regret. Such a wonderful taste were these emotions in his aether. And now, there was nothing left but to consume.
It wasn't long before the bones were all that was left of the arm, having consumed him quicker than even she thought would happen. She gnawed at the bones for a while, but couldn't seem to break it with her teeth. So, she used some of the aether she had gained and channeled Freia's power like never before. Freezing the bone and shattering it open like a block of ice. Just one break over her knee and the marrow was hers for the taking. A wonderful dessert to finish off that arm. And yet, there was so much more left of him. So many more parts for her to enjoy. And she was looking forward to every, last, bite.

Desmind's cries turned quickly from righteous fury to panic and fear the moment that Arahnea tore his flesh open. Acclue winced and had to stop herself from looking away as the two conversed over their meal. The Lalafell started to tear up slightly, knowing that there was no going back from here. She bit her lip and then silently mouthed the words "I'm sorry." to Desmind before his cries started to weaken with his blood drained away, only to somehow renew as his arm broke away from the rest of him, a horrified expression on his face.
Acclue just stared at him, trying to allow herself to become numb to what she was witnessing, even though the wetness in her eyes and her shaking hands betrayed her. It was just as scary for her, but this would be her life now. This is the side she had thrown herself in with. Brutal, vicious, cold, and primal. It was where she belonged. Alive. On top.Arahnea watched like a mother bear seeing her cub feed on the deer she brought back to the den. She smiled, deranged and sadistic. "Go on, you like it don't you... Thatta girl... Get used to it, the blood run cold, the flesh yielding to teeth, bones snapping and cracking..."
She couldn't have been more proud, an odd feeling for her. She could feel the mans body grow cold, and before he finally succumbed to true death, arahnea one of her free arachnid limbs and /plunged/ it into his back, crushing through ribs and grasping his near spent heart. Then finally, mercifully, she wrenched it from the elezens torso. She then stood up, letting Luna deal with him as she wished now.
"As I said... All I want is his heart... You may have all else you please, drain him dry." At that she lifted the mans heart to her face and bit into it, arterial blood leaking down her cheeks as she devoured it. Yet another soul condemned to oblivion, never to return to the lifestream. Full, true death. As she swallowed the mans heart it stirred a part deep within her, so deep it had no business rearing its head.
In mimicry of her true form, a feral, true voidborn aspect of her came forth. She walked quickly to the edge of the camp and into the darkness of the forest, then with a full body back arch she let out a half scream half hissing roar to the sky, like the cry of some fell beast.Luna nodded, unable to resist the temptation at this point. She let Arah have her part. After all, this was a gift given to her by all rights. She had no part in this kill other than creating the plan. And yet, she was given the spoils of all the body she could wish for. Her only regret at this point that it ended too quickly. She began to eat at Desmind's body, starting with his limbs. Once he was just a torso with a shattered ribcage, she pierced him apart with a frigid nail to select from the wonderful platter of organs at her whim.
Each one had such a unique taste to it. Each carrying the weight of his guilt or the pride of his accomplishments. And to think, this wasn't even a truly powerful person. This was a low-ranking flame, doomed to death by his own stubbornness. With each organ, she consumed a rib to cleanse her palette. She was given the opportunity to taste it all, she was going to.
Eventually, all that was left was the head. And yet, even after eating the entire weight of a person, she didn't feel bloated. No, she felt powerful. More powerful then ever before. And she wanted more of it. It took all of her self-control just to pace herself out. The surprising power of her ice magic allowing her to poke a hole in the man's skull and drink his grey matter out like a sommelier enjoying a fine wine. It was delicious. Each of those memories he held, each cherished moment. His triumphant victories, his painful losses. All of it swirling around her and powering Freia even more.
Eventually, that to was drained, and she munched on the skull and what little pieces of flesh remained as she thought back on the last few moments. It was pure primal enjoyment. She no longer felt any shame for having committed this act. In fact, she quite looked forward to the next time she could eat another like this. The ground around her had frozen over, her aura palpable and more powerful then ever before.
It began to fade though as the aether of Desmind was spent. A shame really. But there was a reserve there that she hadn't felt before. Yes, Freia was now more powerful. She demanded more aether as well, but there wouldn't be an issue with supply anymore. Having tasted and relished this, she knew that there was far more joy to come.
Eventually, she looked back at Acclue. "That was, almost cathartic, going through his memories like that. His sister, was on your research team, the one where you did your ritual. That's why he held a grudge against you. His intent wasn't to stalk you, it was to kill you." She spoke the truth. She gleamed his memories and found it delectable. It seemed she had found the part she liked most. Though perhaps next time she would have to try a bite of the heart.Acclue turned away the moment the light left Desmind's eyes. It was just a body now. She couldn't bear to keep watching. Her stomach couldn't take it. In fact, the moment she took a step toward the bonfire, she couldn't feel the ground anymore where she expected it to be. She fell over forward, barely catching herself on her hands before she retched, the contents of her own stomach emptying as Luna filled hers. The world was spinning, and all she could do was fall to her side and stare up at the spinning lights in the sky.
She barely heard Luna when she spoke to her, but she heard it. He had come to kill her. It wasn't a comforting thought. He had every right to it. His hatred was for the sake of someone she had killed. She would have deserved it. But here she was. Alive. Burdened with another soul to live for. She swallowed what bile she had left in her mouth and wondered just how many more there would be, and how many more there could be before nothing she did could justify it anymore.
Acclue breathed heavily, trying to regain her senses "Thal..." she said quietly "I'm not much one for prayer. But guide him. Please. Somewhere better."Arahnea returned from her little primal awakening moment, walking back to the camp just in time to see Acclue retching at the ground. She caught her words clear as day. Her spider limbs had once more curled about her waist and her additional eyes had vanished as if they were never there to begin with. She knelt down next to Acclue and spoke quietly.
"He is gone. There is no 'somewhere better.' Welcome to the nature of the Void and those that dwell within it." She stood back up, looking back down at the lalafell, her face serious. She shrugged her shoulders. There was no happy ending when it came to matters of the Thirteenth. Nor would there ever be. For anyone.
She stepped back to the camp proper and saw that Luna had made such efficient work devouring the man. She was proud to see that she had taken to this so eagerly. That hesitation gone and replaced by sheer hunger, desire, need. "Well aren't you a voracious little thing. From such hesitance to such hunger. I am sure, judging from the frost lining the ground, that Freia thanks you for your sincere offer of this man's aether. Track and subdue the next one, the struggle just makes it all the sweeter. The ones that fight back always taste the best."
At that she had no further interest in the matters of this elezen and she made to return to the tent Pyria resided in unless she was stopped.Luna nodded at the sentiment Arah had offered. "Everything is transactional in the void. And things that are are merely consumed to grow the strong to be stronger." She sipped some blood from her lips, noting how it almost looked like she had lipstick on from the blood. "I didn't think it could taste that good," she was panting a little. Perhaps it was Freia inside of her converting the thought of the taste of aether, or perhaps it was just what it felt like. "Oh, I'll definitely be hunting again sometime soon. That was, too delicious to be a one-off."
She Let Arah head to her tent unabated, and went to sit next to the fire. She was ready to turn in herself, but figured she should at least provide some company to Acclue for devouring prey right in front of her eyes.Acclue still just stared up at the sky, a husk of the person that Luna had known. She grasped at the ground for a moment until she grabbed hold of her staff again and once more held it tight to her chest. "Nothing left of him. Not even a soul." she whined, finally letting the tears flow down over her cheeks "That's going to be me one day, isn't it? This thing inside of me, it's going to take everything that I am in the end. And I'm going to deserve it."
She turned slightly to look at Luna, seeing that she was taking all of this much easier than her "We're beyond the territory of gods, Luna. It's... frightening. And at the same time, fascinating. Are we just meant to give up what it is that makes us mortal now? I suppose we have to." a small smile grew on her face somehow, despite the tears.Luna could only offer a shrug, "It's quite possible you signed what is left of you to the voidsent inside of you when you performed that ritual. Perhaps the terms were more amicable and they will let you return to the lifestream. At the end of it, it hardly matters. Your aether goes somewhere all the same. Why does it matter if it goes into your killer rather than the land." She mused about it, knowing full well it was partially false. But still, it felt almost right to her.
"You can choose which path you wish to take. Whether that be the road of remaining mortal, or perhaps the path of least resistance causing much death to be in your wake. Or, you could accept a death at the hands of a voidsent here and now. Me? I've chosen to embrace this. That taste was just, too good to forget. I will continue to taste it and enjoy it, every last drop. So what if society will label me as a monster. The monsters are the only ones who treat me like I'm more than my worst moment."The Lalafell went back to looking up at the stars "More than my worst moment..." she thought back to the poor treatment that she'd gotten from the Flames. From the thaumaturges. From Desmind. It was all because she'd made a mistake. A terrible mistake, but a mistake. A mistake that she'd done everything she could to try to make up for. She did everything she thought she could to make it better. It wasn't enough. It would never be enough. Not for them. Not for her.
She pushed the staff into the ground and started to lift herself up, moving to her feet. She started to walk slowly away from the camp "Then I guess I'm just a monster." she said quietly as she raised the staff and cried out loudly as she swung it forward, summoning fire into a large rock. She continued casting spell after spell of destructive force at nothing at all, letting her emotions take hold as she worked everything that had just happened out through aimless arcane fury.
At last, she stopped, panting loudly, a wide grin on her face as she leaned on the staff. Her scar glowed bright, and she turned back toward the camp, her energy expended and the sorrow she'd displayed earlier nowhere in sight. She passed slowly by Luna and muttered "You have your way. I have mine. Maybe next time there will be someone there to burn." she sat down next to the fire, looking much more relaxed and happy than she was before. The scar still burned bright.Luna watched the impressive display without much comment. "I suppose we'll just have to wait and see. After all, I plan on having a lot of life ahead of me." She chuckled a bit before Standing up and stretching. "All that aether, and yet I still feel hungry. I think I understand why the lower ranking voidsent go mad at just a taste." With that, she turned towards her bedroll, giving Acclue the chance to say anything else before drifting off for the night.Acclue smiled at the fire "I'll go with you. We'll discard our mortality together. There's no more fighting it anyway. I know what I want, and I'm tired of pretending it's for some kind of greater good. I want power. I want knowledge. I want to dive into the deepest secrets of the universe and feel their strength in my own hands. Let's go to hell together." she turned to look at Luna with her manic smile, and there Luna could see it in her eye, that endless, mad ambition for more. Something had broken in the Lalafell that night.

• Back

Striking a Deal

[8:13 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: "You're rather punctual. Night's barely fallen and already here. I uh... I admit I kind of... dragged my feet a bit on asking Ceana for a bit of her time... Here, let's go to the library for a bit. Let me settle my nerves somewhat and then I'll see if I can't find her?"
[8:15 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: “Apologies, I am just somewhat eager I suppose. That and I seem to be pulled towards you with each step I take.” SHe smirked demurely at the woman. “But yes, business to attend to first, best not leave that unattended. After all, I’m presuming the robes are not just to look ominous.”
[8:16 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: "Robes? No this is just casual attire...? Oh, did you see some of the others outside? Yeah... the... theatrical robes. I'm not a fan of them. Either way though, shall we?" She began heading towards the library, not... fully enthused with the prospects of things.
[8:17 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: "I do love it in here. It's oddly comforting in a place as dreary and evil as this."
[8:18 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: “Yes, I saw Leon and two others outside. I suppose they serve a purpose.” Once inside the library, she took a look around. “It is a rather nice place, though the fireplace is a bit much.”
[8:19 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: "Theres a damn fireplace in nearly every room in the house... It's maddening. Granted, it's nothing like Heat's room which may as well be a gods damned oven..." She turned to gaze at the shelves of books, "The open flame does worry me with all these... blatantly flammable objects here..."
[8:21 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus let out her cold, calming laugh at the comment. “Well, at least if there’s one of us here, we can just freeze it away. I do believe that most mortals find it comfortable to read by a fire though. Can’t say much though, as I was never much of a bookworm.”
[8:23 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak shrugged heavily, "I suppose it can be cozy, but with all things sai-" Her words trailed off as the door to the library opened and in stepped Ceana. Arahnea visibly was taken aback, "W-well hello!! Ears must've been ringing... I was just about to try and find you, Ceana."
[8:25 p.m.]Ceana Ramsay: A creaking of the door signaled the vampire's entrance, and the clunk of the knob sealing into the doorframe as Ceana's gloved hands locked it was akin to some omen of misfortune. The short, pale elezen leaned against the wall, one arm crossed along her chest, the other spinning a threaded loop with the room's key attached, around in circles, "......Arahneeeeaaaaaaaaa...... I've been looking for you...". An unnervingly kind smile twisted up on Ceana's beautiful face.
[8:29 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak raised a brow, "W-wait, you've been looking for me? For what...?" She eyed the key the woman idly twirled about her finger... "Why have you locked the door..." A chill ran up Arahnea's spine, the smile that Ceana wore did not invoke feelings of wellbeing and good intentions for her. "Well... Here I am? I was going to try and find you as well tonight but this saves me the trouble I suppose... Though... What in the hells would you be looking for ME for...?"
[8:31 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus Luna looked behind her to notice Ceana opening the door and locking it behind her. She raised an eyebrow, though gave no other expression of shock. Once Arah had approached the mistress of the house somewhat, Luna turned around, while Freia’s mammet alighted upon her shoulder. The pair stayed silent for the time being, it would be bad to interrupt someone’s business just to pile on more work. Best let them sort it out.
[8:37 p.m.]Ceana Ramsay: The elezen tilted her head curiously, locks of silken black hair falling in front of her beaming red eyes before she gracefully pushed herself off the door. With the momentum, she slowly treads softly along the plush red carpet, her glistening lips reflecting the dancing flames from the fireplace, "Yes, Arahnea... you have been a very, very naughty, neglectful little spider. You left without notifying me?"
[8:41 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak blinked several times. "I... have been? It's not as if the others don't go on about their day unimpeded. Besides, last time I notified you... When I returned you called me a disrespectful twat for taking this body and 'abandoning' my spider form..." She huffed and crossed her arms, "And neglectful? Please. I've done what you've wanted. I've found fellow voidborn. We have such an elaborate little auction room and it has seen no use at all. Yet I'm being neglectful for doing what you want?"
[8:45 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: Ah, so this was about the trip they had taken. In fairness, Luna had intended to go alone. But, the powers that be brought a friend to take the trip with her. And though the mortal host wished to stay Silent, Freia had some words of her own. THe mammet came to life a little more as it began to speak. It’s tone was cold and icy, but devoid of all mechanical noise one would expect from a mammet. It was clear this was an extension and not just a puppet.>
[8:45 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: “You wish to berate the person who is helping to put bread on the table? Or are you trying to imply it is too noble a task for those of the void to get their own supper?” She knew she was taunting a little, but she was willing to risk a little at least. Luna might not share the exact sentiment, but she wasn’t about to disagree with her own avatar. Would not end well for her to appear subservient in this exchange after all.
[8:48 p.m.]Ceana Ramsay squints her eyes, struggling to hold her fury at this red haired.. stranger? No.. she.. she seemed familiar? Had they met? No matter. The vampire fidgetted her fingers along her lacy gloves, focusing on the texture as she took a breath, and turned her attention back to Arahnea, "I did no such thing. I called you a twat for not loving that beauitful, wonderful spider body of yours, and abandoning it FOR A MAN'S ATTENTION?!?" Ceana brought her fingers to the bridge of her nose, and exhaled >
[8:48 p.m.]Ceana Ramsay: in another attempt to regain her composure.
[8:54 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak stammered and stuttered as she spoke, "I-I did no such thing! I w-was on a walk and I just chanced on find Belz! He recognized my presence immediately and approached ME! He has been here far longer than likely any of us and he could teach us so much! Share so much! He was kind to me, how could I not be happy to see him?! He is a great and kind man..." She gestured emphatically towards Luna, "And Luna! She is another I met by chance! She is exactly what you are seeking for things here! She >>
[8:54 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: >> fits perfectly and she not only plays host to a voidborn she WANTS to be here! She's just as much of a monster as the rest of us!" She buried her face in her hands, "And... My body is still here! I can go back to it at any time... Can you truly fault me for wanting to be able to experience things for myself first hand...?"
[8:59 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus looked towards Arah with Sympathy in her eyes. But, she also knew the type of person she was dealing with. Calls to emotion would fall on deaf ears. Please for understanding would go unheard. But, in the same breath, she dared not anger or threaten. A fine line indeed for the viera to tread.>
[8:59 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: “Belz is a familiar name, I do believe I ran into him some few days ago. Seems like the decent sort, as decent as monsters get anyways.” She could only comment so much on him, given the short interaction they did share. “And yes, if you wish for proof of her good intentions,” she took a slight curtsy, “I am Luna, we met at the SHIFT Club the other night.” She chose not to go too far, as though she was trying to cool the room down, both with words and Freia’s freezing aura, >
[9:00 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: needed to take care not to step on an eggshell.
[9:06 p.m.]Ceana Ramsay: The chilled air of Luna's words sent a calming chill over Ceana's icy skin, and the vampire's thoughts danced behind her burning eyes as she listened, taking a moment to collect her words before she spoke. She walked forward to Luna, slipping her gloved hand under the viera's before lifting it to the elezen's rose petal lips, "Apologies for not remembering. Little Arahnea has me ragged trying to keep up with her playmates." She let Luna's hand free to drift back to the viera's side before >
[9:06 p.m.]Ceana Ramsay: side before speaking, "Arahnea has not experienced the negative side of our kind or how territorial the male voidsent can be. She is naive and doesn't understand the danger...and how the males would rather devour the other instead of working together." The vampire's eyes drifted back to Arahnea, "That is also why I must be notified when Arahnea isn't here. I have depended on her to guard the tunnels she sleeps in. Without her there, we are vulnerable."
[9:14 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak scowled, gritting her teeth as the chitinous arachnid limbs wrapped about her waist clicked and clacked softly. As she watched Ceana step toward Luna though she made no move to stop her, though the leather of her gloves creaked audibly as tightened her hands into a fist. Thoguh once the vampire spoke she relaxed somewhat. "I've experienced plenty of the negative of the voidborn... Just because I've not been around others does not mean I haven't had my own fair share of rash encounters... >>
[9:14 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: >> What do you think I did for all those years under the Darkhold? I fought and killed other voidborn." She somewhat stepped back though as she remembered... "I... had forgotten that I was tasked with that..."
[9:16 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus made no move to stop Ceana’s approach or kissing of her hand. Though she had been half expecting something more violent, the gesture was almost sweet. Once her hand was released, she let it return gently to its resting position as she let the two speak a bit more. Though she disagreed on the comment of being a playmate, she also knew this was an internal quarrel. And people were not invited to be a part of the internal if they stuck their nose in affairs not entirely theirs.”
[9:20 p.m.]Ceana Ramsay crossed her arms over her chest as she turned to face Arahnea, "Oh? And tell me, how many voidsent does your little aura boytoy have in his company? I bet none! And you brought him, to our home? THEN LEFT WITHOUT TELLING ANYONE? WHAT IF HE ABDUCTED YOU, ARAHNEA? I DONT KNOW WHERE HE LURKS? But, he sure knows where we live! Where Nari, and Mora and, Leon, and Mina, and Heat REST! When I accepted your sigil, did you not say you would protect this place? I'm assuming you already told your >
[9:20 p.m.]Ceana Ramsay: friend Luna here EVERYTHING about our little home. I'm not even going to try to hide anything considering how correct I probably am?"
[9:29 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak couldn't... quite argue here. "He... He talked about how he was tired of the classical voidsent barbaric mentality... About how there is so much to have here and that there was no need to fight over it... I don't know if he has other voidborn with him... I can't argue that he could have done something to me, but we were in public! Here in the ward! He was hosting a charity, giving food and supplies to the citizens of the Brume! Everyone seemed so happy there, is it that strange to think >>
[9:29 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: >> that not all voidborn need be monsters...?" At the mention of her sigil... she visibly grew distressed and very real, very strong sense of fear hit her. the whites of Arahnea's eyes went black and her irises shined a brilliant silver glow. "Y-yes... I did... Sort of... Tell Luna... She's here anyway! What does it matter?!"
[9:33 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus did her best to hold her tongue, but the one friend she had in this world was being indirectly threatened and couldn’t abide by that. Much of a monster as she was now, there wasn’t a world in which she abandoned her own honor. “I was not apprised of all the details. But, I have been told some things about the manor and been in here twice before. Though I’m certainly not one of your sisters currently, I’m more than a mere playmate to Arah.”>
[9:33 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: There wasn’t anything that could really be done about the accusations of dereliction of duty. The words hit hard though, given how she was outcast for much the same, even though her desertion was much less voluntary than Arah’s. “Besides, what good is a guard spider blind to the world outside her stalking grounds? Better she see the world before the world barges in on her.”
[9:39 p.m.]Ceana Ramsay brought the tips of her fingers to her brow, "...twice... (sighs~) I have intructed our society that we are welcoming voidsent that wish to by our excess food. We need the gil since we are very very poor. Also, the issue isn't her wandering around when she wants, the issue is not letting me know. I have been preparing with Nari another way of guarding the tunnels so that it isn't all on my precious little spider here." Ceana brought her hand up, palm facing the ceiling, exasperated as she >
[9:40 p.m.]Ceana Ramsay: motioned to Arahnea. She sighed, tilted her head, squinting her red eyes in a fury and asked, "So, Arahnea.. what is your punishment going to be?"
[9:44 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak blinked several times. "What kind of quesiton is that? What, you're not going to simply tell everyone that they are allowed to come to me any time they wish and eat a part of me like you did when I first came here? What would you have me say? I have no answer to this! Am I allowed to say nothing??" Her face had grown bright red, this was not how she pictured this little introduction going... to make matters worse it was entirely in front of one of the few people she called friend. >>
[9:45 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: >> "Can this not be discussed another time?! What am I supposed to do or say here?!"
[9:52 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus Luna spotted her potential in, as well as a way to help Arahnea out. She could tell the spider was frustrated, and she hated to see it so. “Though I could not speak much in the way of punishment, I can potentially offer solutions to some of your other problems. I’m a talented guardswoman who does adventuring on the side. You do the cost-benefit analysis with that.” It was the best she could do. She didn’t dare ask directly for a place with the sisters for fear of inciting further>
[9:52 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: <wrath, but she wanted to try and steer the conversation away from Arah’s slip-ups at least a little.
[9:55 p.m.]Ceana Ramsay bites her lip and clicks her tongue on the roof of her mouth, "Is that so, well, Luna.. how much would it cost for you to hold little Arahnea down for a spanking? Huh?" Ceana turned back to Arahnea, "Better time? Why, so you can go find another playmate to vanish off with for 2 or 3 days? Nont to mention the disturbance one of your followers made? The brown skinned elezen tried to eat Leon, and got in a fight with a random hyur, AND BROKE OUR WINDOWS!!" Ceana flipped her hair, and stormed >
[9:56 p.m.]Ceana Ramsay: off to the book shelf where she began looking for the perfect width book. Not one too thick and heavy, and hard to grasp, yet not one so thin the victim wouldn't feel the sting of the slap of it against thier rear.
[10:02 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak simply stared for several moments. Did... Did she just hear what she thought she did...? She laughed quietly, "Ha... Haha... You're... You're joking, right?" She quickly realized Ceana was indeed NOT joking as she saw the elezen walk to the bookshelf. She looked sidelong at Luna with a look that practically screamed 'Don't you dare...' "Wait, my followers...? A brown skinned elezen... Do you mean that insane stalker Janna?! I've spoken to her TWICE!!! Once in a remote area of Empyreum >>

[10:02 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: >> late at night... I even tried to kill her there! But I took pity on her because she is clearly not all there... The crazy bitch grabbed a fucking BIRD FROM THE SKY AND EAT IT IN FRONT OF ME! A GODS DAMNED BIRD!!!! And then the only other time was at that club and all I did was reclaim my aether debt from her! I've not seen or spoken to them since! I haven't told her a THING! I've no idea how she would have even gotten here! I don't even know how she knew we were at that club!!! And what >>
[10:03 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: windows?! They look fully unshattered to me? If we are so poor how would we afford new windows so quickly apparently?"
[10:08 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus Luna looked back and forth between the pair, clearly out of this loop. And though she knew she’d be paying for it a bit later, she couldn’t help herself but use it as a chance to get a little in-road. Hopefully the two of them would be able to laugh it off some time from now. “I suppose a promise to listen out to my offer and seriously consider it would be payment enough to hold our mutual spider friend still for a moment or two. Not quite enough to actually present her for you>
[10:08 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: <though.” With a kind smile to Arah, her look returned a ‘I’ll pay you back later’.
[10:12 p.m.]Ceana Ramsay finds a random skillet between the books, and pulls it out. She swings it back and forth in her hand, testing it out before turning to Luna, "Sound's like a deal. I will welcome you as one of my daughters if you can be useful to the other daughters of my house. Of course, you will have to sacrifice a mortal since you seem to be one yourself..." Ceana slowly stalks forward, her burning red eyes focused on Arahnea's silver ones, "oh, and I require a sigil from your voidsent. I need to ensure >
[10:12 p.m.]Ceana Ramsay: "I can maintain peace and control over all the daughters. The sigil makes sure I can do so."
[10:16 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak yelled out incredulously, "ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME RIGHT NOW?! WHY DOES EVERYONE WANT TO SPANK ME?!" She stepped back further, "Come on! You cannot be serious!" She turned to Luna, "Are you serious?! THIS is how you want to make your way in??" She turned back to Ceana, "WHY DO YOU HAVE A FRYPAN IN THE LIBRARY?!" She backed up further until she felt the sofa against the back of her legs, "Ah..." She only just realized she had cornered herself...
[10:20 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus walked over to Arah, whispering in her ear. “You were going to get punished regardless, would rather keep it light. Just stay put for two hits, I’ll only have my hands on your shoulders lightly.” True to her word she placed one hand on each shoulder, enough to make it look like she was holding her there, but not enough for her to be stuck there if she still wanted to bolt.>
[10:20 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: Freia, in the meantime, was busy trying to control her laughter. Not with much success though. At the mention of giving up her sigil though, she did quiet somewhat. She knew it would be coming, and she had managed to search and find it. But that would be the last part. Not until her spot with the sisters was completely confirmed would she even consider giving it up.
[10:27 p.m.]Ceana Ramsay brought her gloved hand to her lips, where she used her teeth to slide it free from her bare hands. She then moved her unsheathed claw to Arahnea's leather shorts. She quickly sliced them free from the hyuran body, "Any apologies before I begin giving the punishments, my darling little spider?" Before Arahnea could respond, Ceana lifted the cast iron skillet and slammed it against Arahnea's bare cheeks, "for abandoning post with out telling me or ANYONE else!"
[10:31 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak stared daggers at Luna. She wouldn't forget this. Oh no. Not in this or any other life. She had opened her mouth to speak... but was immediately taken by surprise as Ceana sliced off her shorts. Her 6 additional arachnid eyes all opened instantly and stared in surprise, each eye wide as a dinner plate. She once more tried to talk but was yet again interrupted as she felt the cold metal smack against her, a sudden 'eep' of surprise and shock being the only thing to leave her mouth. She >>
[10:31 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: >> quickly brought a hand up to her mouth to cover it to try and preserve at least a modicum of dignity...
[10:32 p.m.]Ceana Ramsay lifted the pan, only to quickly let it fall once more against Arah's now pink little bare ass, "For leading Belz, a strange voidsent to the house, without telling ceana his home location in case SOMEBODY needed rescuing by the other daughter.
[10:34 p.m.]Ceana Ramsay "Another one for telling Luna all our secrets without my permission" _SMACK Arahnea's cheeks began to bruise slightly.
[10:35 p.m.]Ceana Ramsay: "AND ANOTHER FOR LETTING A STALKER GO AND NOT WARNING US OF THE DANGER!!" Ceana's final swing swung home, and the force sent little Arahnea jolting upward off the table half an inch.
[10:39 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak dropped to her knees as it finally ended. She looked down at the floor, face red as a ripe tomato. "That... that's it? For everything, you would only do this? You have Luna as a replacement... Why would you not just use the blasted Sigil and send me back... That's why you have it. If I've disobeyed so much, why are you letting me off with just this?"
[10:43 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus let go of Arah gently, wincing along with the hits as she worried their friendship would shatter. Once complete though, she went over to take a seat on the couch. “She didn’t use it because she can’t afford to. She doesn’t have the resources to break a sigil, invest in my joining, and then keep the rest of the daughters in line.” She smiled as she started to piece everything together. “Your power is in threats you can only follow through in theory, or do I have it all wrong?”>
[10:43 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: Freia came to rest on Arah’s shoulder, helping her buttocks cool down somewhat with her cold aura. “Not to mention, that if she thought you would keep guarding alone, she wouldn’t even consider our offer for such a paltry price.” The phantom’s voice rung coldly through the air, dimming the fireplace somewhat as its fires waned against her sheer frost.
[10:47 p.m.]Ceana Ramsay slipped her other glove free, and held them folded in her clenched bare fists, "...it is unnerving but, you are quite right. The cost of using a sigil to banish you back to the void is quite expensive. Aether is precious, and shouldn't be used to squander on magic. I would only use the sigil as a last resort. If I find out you share this information with the other daughters, I will use all my aether to send you back to the void. Hopefully, I wont have to resort to that. " >
[10:47 p.m.]Ceana Ramsay: Ceana rolls her eyes in disgust at thinking about using all her aether for such a pathetic path of vengeance.
[10:50 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak sighed lightly. "I see... Would you even believe me if I say I won't spread the information? You did not seem to care about my side when explaining janna, or the apparently broken windows that ARE NOT broken..." She tried to stand up but it clearly was NOT in the cards as the sharp stinging sensation sent her right back to the floor. She raised a hand and gently pat the mammet at her shoulder... Then turned to glare at Luna. "Well... Aren't you lucky. All it cost you to get your little >>
[10:51 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: >> interview taken care of was my dignity... and my favorite pair of shorts..."
[10:52 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: "Ugh... Am I to be spanked yet again once the... 'other' one shows up? Our little explosive friend..." She saidly quietly to luna.
[11:01 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus contemplated as she heard her thoughts confirmed and then elaborated upon. She hadn’t though of the aether cost, especially given how dangerous that was for denizens of the void. Unlike her, they could only replenish by consuming the aether. She at least had a baseline to go back to. “I have no intention of sharing this with the other daughters, since it only destabilizes things farther. But having it confirmed for myself is quite nice.” She turned towards Freia and Arah, giving a>
[11:02 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: <light shrug to her aside. She had no intentions of helping Ceana in that should it come to it. “Believe you or not, she now has to trust you. Should the secret you can’t effectively use the sigils gets around, any who obey you purely out of fear will slip completely from your grasp and likely cause you to tip your hand to your location in order to feed them to the temple wolves and make good your escape.”>
[11:02 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: She took a deep breath, wishing to move on. “Your price for souring my friendship with Arah is to at least consider my offer. And since you can’t just let me walk away freely with the knowledge I have, you’re down to only a few options. Kill me, recruit me, or string me along. Killing would be costly, and state to others you are hiding something, given you would be killing the invited guest of a daughter. Stringing me along means you then have to constantly find a reason to not bring me>
[11:02 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: <in further, which will be a constant thought in your mind. So, recruiting me is probably your most sensible option.” She really hoped she had nailed Ceana disposition here, or all of her thoughts could be going in the wrong direction.>
[11:02 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: “I’m not going to just ask for you to recruit me though out of the kindness of your heart. As much as I am of the source and believe in mutual benefaction, I know those of the void are transactional by nature. So, I offer assistance with guarding your manor, all under the guise of me applying for empyreum guard shifts via the adventurer’s guild when I can. On top of that, I will allow you to impose a tax on my adventuring income as payment for getting to live with and be a part of the>
[11:02 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: <daughters. It isn’t a significant sum, but when your primary currency is aether, I’m sure some gil in your coffers would be a welcome change.”
[11:08 p.m.]Ceana Ramsay: The proud Ceana pouted frustrated lips as the woman before her seemed to see right through her. It was rare that a bright observant mortal passed through Ceana's fingers, "Again, it is unnerving you seem to understand my motivations and decisions so well. I will only accept gil from what we earn by selling our food. Becoming one of the daughters is not something you pay me to become. It means you will willingly be one of my precious tools to ensure all of our safetly. I treat all potential >
[11:09 p.m.]Ceana Ramsay: daughters equally when first joining. You must, as a mortal, sacrifice a mortal to me, and you must offer your voidsent's sigil to me. As for the guard shift, it might be best you avoid getting tangled with mortals, but I will not prevent you from doing so if you promise to keep attention AWAY from our home."
[11:11 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak had very little to input here, instead simply crawling on hands and knees over to the couch and flopping down onto it beside Luna. Clearly the friendship not soured entirely.
[11:18 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: “I was trained in surveillance and guard watches by the Garleans. They taught me many things to look for, and trusted me to carry out several interrogations. Enemies tend to soften up when they see a pretty face of an exotic race after all.” She smiled as Arah came to sit next to her, picking her words somewhat carefully. “I suppose you have every right to keep a strict hand on your income streams, and I was not seeking to circumvent the normal requirements. It will be a shame to let such>
[11:19 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: <good flesh go to waste, but I could most certainly get a mortal for you. Would you prefer them lured to the manor or brought to you already dead?” She licked her lips at the thought of being able to hunt again. It hadn’t been that long but already she could feel that hunger from Freia.>
[11:19 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: The mammet flitted up to let Arah move about before sitting on top of the couch. “I will offer my sigil once our membership with the sisters is sealed. Even if you can’t reasonably use it, I’m not giving you a mutually assured destruction button until we can ensure it is mutual.” The voice was serious, but still skating on her own icy tones. “As for keeping attention away from the manor, I can assure you she can keep guard and not let it look like she is keeping guard of a certain>
[11:19 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: <place in an area. For all people would know, she’s paying extra attention to the house two streets over from you.”
[11:23 p.m.]Ceana Ramsay closed her eyes and listened, crossing an arm over her chest with her gloves in tow, twirling a few strands of her loose hair in her free hand, "That sounds valid to me. I prefer them alive, but we will setting for dead. We happen to have a skilled conjurer that knows how to prepare mortal flesh, so no need to butcher it." Ceana walked forward and held a hand out, "It is an agreement? Im sure you won't have any issues charming the other daughters. They are all feeble minded like this one her
[11:23 p.m.]Ceana Ramsay: here*
[11:25 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak sighed, "For once, at least just in this moment, can you ease up a little? Don't need to kick me while I'm already down... Not that you're... wrong though."
[11:28 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus Didn’t leap on the opportunity, but gave a small smile before reaching out to shake Ceana’s hand. “I wouldn’t say I charmed Arah, she knows more than I think you give her credit for. But, regardless, I would happily accept this deal. I will try to get you that sacrifice when I can, and once you are satisfied with the other requirements, it seems Freia is willing to give her sigil to you as a token of trust. And for you to keep up appearances with the other daughters.” She reached>
[11:28 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: <a hand over to lightly touch Arah’s head, caressing it slowly if given the opportunity.
[11:31 p.m.]Ceana Ramsay gave a soft, sincere smile to Arahnea, one she knew the little spider couldn't see before slipping her gloves back on. As soon as the lacy material touch her skin, the warmth from her face faded, replaced by a serene, detached expression, "I look forward to you sacrifice. Til next time. Im afraid I must go to bed, for it is almost morning..." and with that, the vampire slipped over to the door, where she unlocked it with a key she pulled from her waist hem, and slipped out of the library >
[11:32 p.m.]Ceana Ramsay: like a shadow escaping the light.
[11:33 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak heard the door open and close, sitting up gingerly. "Well... That... Could have gone worse." She winced and gently rubbed her rear. "Ooh yeah that's gonna be sore for a while..."
[11:36 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus looked back at Arah, keeping her hand gently on the spider’s head as she watched Ceana leave the room. “Likely could have gone much worse, I’m glad I was right about those sigils though.” She let out a sigh of relief with the looming threat of the leader of the house gone. “Apologies about the shorts, I’ll get them replaced next time I’m at the market if you would like.”
[11:38 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak shrugged lightly, "I have more... But that's neither here nor there. At least... We got this taken care of... Though I wish you luck in befriending Morahkiev. Even I have not spoken much to him." She slowly stood up, "Let me say this though. You'll /definitely/ be paying me back for this indignity..."
[11:39 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: “Ceana only said the daughters. She said nothing about the servants.” She gave a sly smile before blushing lightly at the comment of payback. “I do apologize about that. I saw an opportunity and took it as best I could. You were going to be punished in some form or another regardless of my help.”
[11:41 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak could not refute that statement. "No you are correct... Knowing her... I'm shocked I am not missing a limb or laying on the ground bleeding out..."

[11:42 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus gave a small nod before standing up and brushing off her dress. “Well, it seems I have some work to do if I am to give you the opportunity to be my roommate. And no better place to start than the person who introduced me to this world and its pleasures. Would you agree to my joining with the sisters?”
[11:44 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak sighed heavily, "Haaaaaa... I need to get out of the library... I feel like I can still hear the sound of that pan hitting me echoing in here..." At Luna's question, she brought a hand to her chin and thought hard for several moments. "Mm... I don't know... You've already demonstrated an aptitude and willingness for betrayal..." She smirked at Luna atfer that little jab. "But I suppose it was well intentioned. Of course I agree to your joining."
[11:46 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus gave a hearty laugh at the comment. “Thank you. And I apologize for the betrayal, as well intentioned as it was for the both of us.” she took a deep breath. “Well, unless you wanted to continue our night elsewhere in the manor, I would probably be best served creating a plan to befriend the others. I’m not familiar with all those who reside here, I would be much obliged if you provided a list.”
[11:48 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak thought for a moment, "Honestly... there are not many anymore. There is Mina, Heat, myself and Ceana as the only voidborn here. Leon, Morahkiev and Nari are all servants, but I do honestly believe Ceana would have you at least meet them as well."
[11:48 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: "There WERE others... Were..."
[11:53 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: “Fewer than I was anticipating. But I suppose Ceana keeps a tight lid on the comings and goings. I wouldn’t be surprised if Freia and I will be the first in a while and the only for a while yet to come.” She counted on her fingers the names she had left to please. It was only 5 more to go. It seemed reasonable, but knowing who they were was only a tiny fragment of the battle. “At least the sacrifice and sigil will be straight-forward. I’d ask you to join me on the hunt for the mortal>
[11:53 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: <but I think Ceana would prefer I show my own capabilities directly.”
[11:54 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: "That would be for the best, the less I assist in this task of yours the better it will look for you when you succeed."
[11:55 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: “Well then, did you wish to continue hanging out together, or should I return to my shambly room and plan a course of action?”
[11:55 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: "I think... I'm going to just go lie down... My ass... fucking... hurts..."
[11:56 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus gave a slight nod, doing her best to comfort Arahnea. “I will see you around. Hopefully more and more frequently as time goes on.” WIth a gentle smile, she made her way to the exit for the room, already formulating her best plan of action to come.

• Back

Morahkiev's Approval

[17:15:42] Luna A: Luna took a deep breath of the cold Coerthan air. Though she was certainly not too worried about meeting others, she had frighteningly little to go off of. Just a few names and maybe a couple passing mentions of what they were like. With the day coming to a close, she decided it was a good a time as any to make her way to shadowgate. After the short walk through the empyreum, she walked up and knocked on the door, wondering who would answer.
[17:20:47] Morahkiev S: There was a fairly long wait after she knocked, with no response for a good minute. The swirling of the coerthan winds seemed the only answer... up until the point where she might be inclined to knock again. Some shuffling, and the door opened a crack. A pale white eye showed up behind it. "...We are currently closed to any solici-- Oh." There was a glint in recognition, and the door opened a bit further, showing a very tall Xaela with silvery skin and a wild mane of night black hair. "...Good--
[17:21:53] Morahkiev S: --evening. I apologize, most everyone is out or resting right now. Can I help you?"
[17:25:16] Luna A: The cold was never particularly bothersome to her, so she didn’t mind waiting a little while. When the door opened to reveal a slightly familiar face, she nodded to the greeting. “I know it is a slightly inopportune time to be here this early into the evening.” She did her best to recollect information she had. This was Morah, anything else though she couldn’t truly recall. With so little to go on, she decided honesty was the best policy. “I’m actually here to make acquaintance with>
[17:25:21] Luna A: <the daughters and their servants. Ceana would like all to agree before allowing me to join your ranks.”
[17:28:06] Morahkiev S: "Oh, I see. Well... welcome to our little society then. We're fairly close knit and rely on trust and communication between everyone to make this little family work... so it makes sense that Mother Ceana would request such a process. ...In fact, I prefer this approach. You-- what was your name again? I unfortunately can't recall..." He chuckled, scratching the back of his neck. He opened the door a bit more, a gust of warmth and the warm glow of the interior gleaming outward. "By all means, come
[17:28:10] Morahkiev S: - in."
[17:32:17] Luna A: “Luna, and you are Morah if I remember correctly?” She said it kindly, it seemed her forthrightness worked quite well in this regard. “And this would be Freia,” she said as she motioned to the succubus mammet on her shoulder, “or at least her mouthpiece. I can explain more once we’re out of the range of potential prying eyes.” Walking behind Morah briefly, she once more entered the manor she hoped she could come to call home.
[17:35:45] Morahkiev S: nodded, and after Luna had stepped in he very promptly locked the door behind her... there were at least three locks that he turned, and then he waved his hand. A purplish hum would ripple over the door and the house... seemed he was putting a ward back up. Maybe that's why it took so long for him to answer the door.... "Luna. And.." he bowed his head to the succubus mammet. "Kind regards, Freia." He lets out a breath. "Alright, everything should be safe. As you understand, the utmost -->
[17:35:59] Morahkiev S: precautions must be taken in regards to everyone's safety."
[17:38:02] Luna A: nodded in return. “I would be more concerned if there were much less in the way of precautions.” She took the opportunity to stretch a little. Much as she enjoyed the cold, it could make ones body quite rigid. “I’m not sure how much, if anything, Ceana has told you of me. I wouldn’t put it past her to not even tell people of my potential for joining until I was nearly complete in the necessary pieces.”
[17:42:30] Morahkiev S: "She has told me nothing," he says flatly. "Or if she mentioned anything, I missed it. I... drank a bit last night." He scratched his jaw. "I am the resident Summoner... particularly of Voidsent, and everything pertaining to the thirteenth and portals to and from it."
[17:46:17] Luna A: only offered a shrug. She had expected her job wouldn’t be half-done for her. “Seems like you’d certainly be the expert on the particulars of my own situation. Or at least the closest to one without going to the Lemures.” She spoke plainly, not fearing retribution by this point. “I was inducted into the Lemures as a reaper. When I went to make my pact with a voidsent, I became embroiled in a life or death situation. As Freia here was in a similarly precarious position, we made a>
[17:46:23] Luna A: <pact on mutual benefit rather than the traditionally one-sided pacts reapers have with the ones they consider tools.” She sighed, hating that that was the norm. “Unfortunately, because of that and other circumstances, we were never taught how to utilize our connection properly. It’s been mostly trial and error to figure out what we are able to do together.”
[17:50:40] Morahkiev S: "Hmmm... fascinating," he said with genuine interest in his eyes. "I've met the Lemures. For a time I considered working with them, but I had... other priorities. Still, their use of void avatars is intriguing and worth further study." He motioned to the room. "Find someplace comfortable, or we could go downstairs if you wanted something to drink. It's your choice."
[17:53:51] Luna A: gave a smile, happy to pique curiosity as she went to take a seat at one of the couches. “Since I’m technically here on business, I think it would be best to refrain from drinking. I would gladly share a drink with you once Freia is officially a daughter.” Crossing her legs as she sat down, she did her best to fill in some gaps. “They are an, interesting group. Though I suppose one would have to see them in that light to be considered a potential reaper. And though I certainly>
[17:53:57] Luna A: couldn’t speak on the connection those possessed by voidsent have, I understand that a reaper pact is rather unique. And on top of that, ours is a modified form of it.”
[18:00:57] Morahkiev S: "I see. I have not personally worked with my own avatar... nor have I allowed possession. I... am very ...possessive of my own bodily autonomy, for the most part anyway." A bit of a self-conscious laugh. "I have to admit, your case already sounds... compelling, and I would love to hear more about it..." His eyes fell on the mammet, "and about Freia herself."
[18:04:32] Luna A: The mammet finally stirred, Freia speaking through in her own way. It was an icy, gracious voide, devoid of the mechanical tonations one would expect from a mammet. “Mortals always wishing to hold what control they can. Much better to yield control to gain some power, but I come from a differing perspective then you upon that.” She flitted up, no longer needing to hide capabilities or look like a strange fashion choice.>
[18:04:38] Luna A: Luna herself gave a chuckle at Freia’s response. “I suppose I am biased, but I feel more empowered than before I yielded some control. Though, our pact was built upon trust. Freia can utilize the body when necessary. And can extend somewhat beyond it as our power grows, but for the most part I control the body given my experience in the source and my lack of a mouthpiece when not in control.”
[18:08:44] Morahkiev S: waved his hand. "Oh, I understand... every voidsent says that to me when I refuse a pact. I understand and respect the practice, however.... I just haven't found The One... or the correct path into understanding the dark aether yet... I am but a student in its practice, and I work methodically to gain wisdom and understanding of the darkness." He nodded to Freia, and then to Luna. "You certainly feel powerful to me, if that says anything. I haven't conducted any true scan, but your-->
[18:09:20] Morahkiev S: inherent aura suggests the symbiosis you've held together for yourself."
[18:13:04] Luna A: looked slightly abashed at how easily it was seen. “Yes, recently I was given the chance to sample aether directly from a mortal, rather than the meals I had before. It was, exhilarating, to consume the flesh of another, not to mention the amount of power that flowed into our symbiotic system. Since then, mortal aether has been the only truly filling thing.” Food worked, but it had lost much of its taste to her. “Well, should you wish for a subject to study, I wouldn’t be against>
[18:13:11] Luna A: <being one. Of course, I would ask for your agreement in joining the daughters to better facilitate those studies. And if you’re worried about using me, I will be learning as much from your insights as you.”
[18:26:02] Morahkiev S: nods quickly. "I see.... fascinating... I do notice the more I work with dark aspected aether the more I have cravings, but I can't say I've ever knowingly fed on another." He adjusted his pose, considering for a moment.
[18:27:56] Luna A: “It is certainly a unique taste. And though there was the temptation ever since my pact, it only became a need once I had my first taste. I would suggest you not partake lest you have good reason to. I do not regret sliding down that slope, but there was never a chance to turn back.” She had looked back a few times to know, but that was far beyond where she was now.
[18:28:44] Morahkiev S: "Understandable. I am holding off for as long as I can... but we shall see." His smile didn't quite meet his eyes--there was worry there. I can say that Shadowgate Sanctuary is a ...safe place to explore those cravings. We always make sure there's living aether in supply for hungry voidsent, or void practitioners, as you are."
[18:28:52] Morahkiev S: there. "I can say-
[18:30:49] Luna A: “I’ve certainly explored them, and I know Freia enjoys when we eat another mortal. But yes, part of my desire to join is to have a place to let down my guard. And a place Freia can speak freely. She doesn’t like being stuck inside a toy for most of our waking moments.”
[18:33:38] Morahkiev S: "This is certainly the place for it. You can be free to be yourself, just as long as you can respect the boundaries of the other members here. Just about everyone has a strong personality, desires and motivations so it can be a bit... intense, at times." A gentle laugh. "But Mother Ceana does a good job at reigning us all together, I believe.... It's one of the reasons I respect her as much as I do. As a mortal in this covenant, I feel... relatively safe to be myself."
[18:36:09] Luna A: nodded solemnly. “I have certainly noticed her firm hand in use. But, she seems to do it out of genuine care. A rare trait amongst voidsent in my experience.” It was nice to have a heart to heart with another mortal like this, even if Freia was keen to every word. “I’m certainly aware of the stronger personalities present. Arah has told me a bit about Heat, though frighteningly little of the other daughters. I only received their names but yesterday.”
[18:39:27] Morahkiev S: "...Arahnea is one of those stronger personalities as well," he said with a wan smirk. "And Heat... oh, Heat... she is a force of nature, one I admit that I am swept up by on occasion. But Ceana manages to keep them in line--harsh, abrasive, yes, she can be. I will be perfectly frank about that. But I believe there is a need for that with people like..." He paused. "...well, okay. Voidsent are considered by the society at large to be monsters. I work with them for my magic, so many would --
[18:41:03] Morahkiev S: --consider me just as vile. So of course, there will be moments that require a stern hand. But I do not feel she goes too far, and if she does she usually listens to me, or Mina, when she needs to be talked down."
[18:43:31] Luna A: “Oh, I’m quite aware of Arah’s stronger outbursts. She nearly threw me off a cliff the first time we met.” Glad as she was to not be a stain on ground far below empyreum, she didn’t regret that encounter in the slightest. “And given the innocent I have killed and subsequently eaten alive, I would be pariah and outcast just as readily from normal society were I open about it.” Luna gave a short nod at the comment of talking Ceana down. She had witnessed as much last night, but had>
[18:43:36] Luna A: <no desire to elaborate on it and so kept her tongue.
[18:50:47] Morahkiev S: "Heh.. sounds like Arah. I'd have hear about that story sometime." He nodded quickly, and then leaned forward. "That does, however, bring me to a certain point..." He looked straight to the succubus mammet. "About some... terms, you would have to follow through on if you were to join our little family. I'm sure Ceana must have mentioned it."
[18:53:57] Luna A: Freia’s mammet nodded. “Yes, she laid out the requirements last night to us, hence our arriving here today. She wishes us to gain the agreement of the daughters. Currently the only official consent we have is Arahnea’s, though it sounds as though you would be willing to give that consent in return for studying us. On top of that, Luna must provide a mortal sacrifice specifically for Ceana, a trifling matter all things considered. And I must be willing to give up my sigil to her. Which, I>
[18:54:08] Luna A: <have a feeling will be sealed with your assistance. I am willing to do it when it is the last objective remaining and will make our membership confirmed. No need to give any sort of leverage before the benefit is given in return.”
[18:59:43] Morahkiev S: "Ah yes, ... well, your forthright nature and willing to help me learn about void pacts with your assistance is very valuable and there's little way I could say no to that. As for the sacrifice..." He sighed to himself. "I had to do the same... Fetching a gift for Arahnea, actually. I admit I'm not the ...best... at luring or slaying fellow mortals in cold blood, but I do what I must for the family."
[19:01:38] Morahkiev S: then lifted his hand. "The sigil, yes. I will require that personally... which you can provide after all of the other daughters have agreed. I keep these symbols of power well sealed... A bit poetic, for a mortal to have that power, isn't it? But it's safer that way, for everyone involved."
[19:04:19] Luna A: smiled an evil smile. “Well, ever since I ate my first, I’ve quickly lost any qualms to the loss of innocent life. Really, the only difficult part to that would be bringing them to shadowgate. But, that should be trivial. Take a guard shift in the empyreum one night, find a hapless mortal to knock unconscious towards the end of my shift, then bring them to shadowgate once relieved of duty.” She said it nonchalantly, as though she had been planning how to carry it out for some time now>
[19:04:27] Luna A: At the mention of the sigils being preserved, Freia’s mammet let out a chittering laugh. “I suppose it is. Prevents any banishings done purely in anger of the moment.” She knew there were other reasons, but knew better than to lose her leverage over the mistress of the house.
[19:10:59] Morahkiev S: "Sounds like you have the process well handled. Honestly, I'm still pleasantly surprised the Ishgardian Inquisition hasn't fallen upon all of us yet." And when she mentioned the idea of the anger of the moment, he points towards Luna. "Precisely. That's the last thing we need. I... I have a fairly level head, so as long as I don't get devoured before my time, you can be rest assured that this knowledge is safe in my possession. And well, it can't be tortured out of me... I'm sure at least one--
[19:11:24] Morahkiev S: or two of the sisters have considered it, and I'd be amused if they tried. Regardless.... do you have any other concerns or questions for me?"
[19:13:00] Luna A: shook her head. “None that come to mind immediately. Though if you have any notes on the other daughters that I should be mindful of. Precautions, what may help them give their agreements, those would help move the process along so you can study freely sooner.” Her smile had returned to a kind one. She genuinely seemed to wish to be a part of the manor.
[19:19:07] Morahkiev S: "Hmmm... Honestly, I wouldn't worry too much. If you approach them if you have me, I think it should be fine.... Deirdre might be a challenge, she's an Ashkin that wisps in and out of here, and I haven't seen her much recently. And she's been a bit temperamental. A gentle voice and demeanor will help, I believe."

[19:20:42] Luna A: arched an eyebrow at the unfamiliar name. “Arah did not mention a Deirdre, glad am I to extend the list. If they are indeed temperamental, it would be a poor showing to not know of them until they were the only one I was missing agreement from.”
[19:22:21] Morahkiev S: "New daughters cycle in and out here and there, depending on their life paths. I wouldn't worry too much... just find every one you can at the time and then present the list to Ceana. If anyone notable is missing, I'm sure you'll have the chance to make up the difference."
[19:23:56] Luna A: gave an understanding nod before standing up. “It was a pleasure to properly meet Morah, and I quite look forward to the results of your studies. If you have any questions of me while you await my joining, do not hesitate to ask when we aren’t in the public’s eye.”
[19:28:32] Morahkiev S: "It was a pleasure to meet you as well." He stood up, offering his hand to Luna. And a quick nod to the mammet. "I would love to talk to you further--and it seems it's very possible we'll get the chance, once you join us."
[19:30:56] Luna A: went to shake hands with Morah. As she did, her eyes flashed cerulean and an aura of cold pushed out from her momentarily. Nothing threatening, just a showcase of what they were. “We very much will, and hopefully sooner than you think,” their voices were one, the lilting alto of Luna with the icy coolness of Freia creating a tone like never before. After pleasantries were exchanged, Luna’s eyes returned to a kind maroon before she went to take her leave.
[19:34:24] Morahkiev S: nodded, opening the door for Luna to take her leave.... well, after he undid every lock and with a wave of his hand, lowered the ward. "Until then, be safe... and we shall see you soon." He noted the shift of her eyes, and simply closed his eyes and bowed his head as if in respect.

• Back

Nari's Approval

[19:05:53] Nari N: wanders outside of the manor's gate, glancing around for someone to invite in.
[19:08:01] Luna A: approached the manor, mentally noting the objectives she still had to accomplish. There were two daughters she hadn’t gotten the approval of yet, and a couple who she didn’t need official approval of, but should at least try to be in the good graces of. As she passed by, she noticed the black robes of the daughters. It appeared that they were luring mortals tonight. She chose to approach one that she didn’t quite recognize. “Good evening, I take it you work for the sanctuary?” Her>
[19:08:08] Luna A: <voice was cold and elegant, and the confidence she spoke with showed she was already acquainted with the manor.
[19:08:48] Leon J: smiled gently. "Of course! Anything I could do for you tonight? Anything you need? I'll be doing my rounds." He explained. "I'll stop by your library later on."
[19:08:50] Leon J: smiles gently.
[19:09:12] Tonberry S: Tonberry S.Hyperion nods to Leon J.Hyperion.
[19:09:46] Tonberry S: nods. "Very well. After your services in the library..I have come to greatly value your company. Carry on then my good man!"
[19:09:50] Tonberry S: Tonberry S.Hyperion grovels shamelessly before Leon J.Hyperion.
[19:09:55] Leon J: bows politely.
[19:09:57] Dyve M: walks past seemingly mumbling to herself "no.. no well, hmm, maybe, oh hush you always say that"
[19:10:13] Dyve M: good evening
[19:12:21] Nari N: looks the stranger over, before nodding with a smile. "That I do! My name is Nari, and it's a pleasure to meet you. I take it you've already met a member or two of our little group, miss...?"
[19:13:31] Dyve M: looks up at the purple trees "huh wait where was i going,,, no mal im not asking for directions,,, yes i,,, would you stop?,,,fine fine ill ask them" she walks up to the two ladies standing here "excuse me ladies, sorry to bother you. i seem to have gotten turned around, can you tell me where i am?"
[19:14:36] Luna A: “Luna, and yes. In fact, the mistress of the house is awaiting approval so I can join your-” she cut herself off as another joined them. Turning towards the other viera, she gave a look up and down them. She thought to answer the woman’s question, but decided it best to leave that up to Nari.
[19:16:30] Nari N: smiles at the newcomer. "Hello there! You're actually in front of our humble abode. If you need to take a load off, you're more than welcome to visit. I'm sure you'd find it quite relaxing."
[19:18:41] Dyve M: she thinks to herself for a moment "well relaxing might be good, if ive been walking enough to forget where i am maybe i shoul...." seeminly to herself "what? no,,,you worry to much mal,,,yes yes alright we can get a drink" she smiles at nari "thank you i think i will take you up on that, names dyve by the way"
[19:18:45] Dyve M: Dyve M. performs an Eastern bow before Nari N.Hyperion.
[19:18:52] Dyve M: Dyve M. performs an Eastern bow before Luna A..
[19:19:25] Nari N: bows. "A pleasure to meet you, Dyve. I'm Nari. Nari Nulah."
[19:20:01] Luna A: was in thought. The person here seemed rather strange. Perturbed may even be a better way of putting it. “Luna,” she kept her introduction short and polite, not wishing to drag the conversation further.
[19:22:02] Dyve M: "pleasure to meet you both" to herself "what? yes,,,yes she seems to be,,,no not all veira know eachother,,,, damn it mal shut up fo" shakes her head "im sorry youll have to forgive me its been a fairly long journey, i think ill go get that drink"
[19:24:17] Dyve M: "why yes thank you, oh well i should ask what you have" thinks for a moment "do you happened to have tea?,,,what,,,yes yes,,, with sugar too please"
[19:24:19] Nari N: watches as Mora leads the guest into the house before turning back towards Luna. "Well then! Luna, was it? Perhaps we should head inside to get better acquainted? I could cook you up something tasty, if you're hungry, or we could simply sit and talk if you prefer."
[19:25:32] Luna A: gave a nod, “Yes, that would be for the best. Preferably somewhere we can talk more openly. Would rather not scare the customers off after all. As for the meal, I would be delighted to sample your cooking.”
[19:27:47] Nari N: grins, nodding. "To the kitchen, then. It's not exactly a spot for relaxation, but it's private, and should give us time to talk."
[19:30:08] Nari N: pulls her robe over her head, hanging it on a nearby hook and replacing it with an apron before looking at Luna. "Any particular requests for food? I can whip up just about anything you'd like."
[19:30:38] Luna A: followed to the kitchen, enjoying the rather spacious cooking environment. “For the normal fare the daughters have, I’m pleasantly surprised the kitchen is so well stocked.” She smiled gently, dropping any sort of doublespeak or pretense now that they were safely within the manor’s walls. “Whatever you would like to showcase really. I’m not exactly a picky eater.”
[19:33:51] Nari N: smiles. "I'll do my best not to disappoint." Moving to the stove, she retrieves a skillet from the cupboards, setting it down before rushing to grab a Dzo steak from the back room, as well as several spice containers and a large popoto. Setting everything on the counter, she glances back. "So, tell me. You know what's REALLY going on here, it seems, so what brings you to our manor again?" She does her best to keep her tone light, not wanting to make this an interrogation by any means.
[19:37:04] Luna A: gave out a light chuckle. “Jumping straight to the point, I can appreciate that. Arah introduced me shortly after the daughter’s latest hunt at SHIFT. I don’t remember seeing you there, but it is possible you saw me there. Due to my rather unique situation, I wished to seek solace with the daughters. Or more specifically, Freia would like to.”>
[19:37:11] Luna A: As she said this, the mammet in the form of a succubus finally stirred. “Yes, I seek membership with the daughters. As part of that, Ceana wishes us to gain approval of the daughters for our joining.” The mammet’s tone was even icier than Luna’s, but far smoother than one would anticipate coming from that of a mechanical toy.
[19:41:57] Nari N: eyes widen a bit, not expecting the mammet to speak, let alone so clearly. Shaking the surprise away, she quickly butters the outside of the popoto, covering it coarse salt and sliding it into the over before heating it quickly with a fire cluster. "I see...a pleasure to meet you, miss Freia, was it? I must admit, I've never met a voidsent in the appearance of a mammet...you ARE voidsent, right?" Nari realizes she probably shouldn't ASSUME things like that, even if all evidence points to 1/2
[19:44:11] Nari N: it. "I'm a mortal, myself, you see. So, it's a bit harder for me to be sure. Still, we have all kinds of voidsent within the walls, so I'm sure you'd fit right in." Heating the skillet to a sizzling degree, she places the steak in, quickly searing a crust on all sides. "As for my 'approval', I can assure you it won't be a difficult task by any measure. Frankly, as long a you promise not to eat me, I don't see a problem with you joining." She giggles at her own 'joke', though she's certain2/3
[19:44:41] Nari N: both Luna and Freia could end her in a moment if they chose. "Still, I'd like to get to know you just the same."
[19:47:44] Luna A: Freia’s mammet seemed to smile. “Yes, I am indeed one from the void. This is not my true form however, merely the most convenient way for both Luna and I to communicate.”>
[19:47:51] Luna A: took the brunt of the explanation though. “To be precise, Freia is technically my avatar. I am considered a reaper, though I do not follow their ways in the slightest. The basis of our pact together is similar though. She inhabits my body as an extra source of power. But instead of utilizing her as a tool, we work together.” Truly, she didn’t know what she was at this point. She was mostly just content with monster though.>
[19:47:58] Luna A: “There certainly seems to be a rather significant amount of mortals in the company of voidsent around here. At least, far more than one would anticipate. And no, I would never dare to eat one of the daughters. Arah would bite my head off, probably literally.” She laughed along somewhat as she walked up to lean against one of the counters, letting Freia’s mouthpiece float around freely.
[19:52:16] Nari N: can't help but laugher harder. "That she would. One of the reasons I avoid her 'main' body. I'd hate to be mistaken for fresh food..." She thoroughly bastes the steak with butter, deepening the crust before removing the skillet and placing it in the oven to finish cooking. Turning back towards her guests, she tilts her head. "You mentioned Shift before, right? I was unable to visit with the others, actually, so this is my first time meeting you in any sense. I assume I'm not the first 1/2
[19:52:47] Nari N: daughter you two have won over, right? I'm curious what you think of those you've met so far, if you don't mind me asking."
[19:56:06] Luna A: shook her head. “Certainly not the first, and also not the last.” She gave her previous interactions some thought before talking about those she had met. “Arah has become a wonderful friend, and quite a great help in getting me to sate my desires. She was obviously the first I got approval from. Other than that, I have also gained the approval of Morah. He seems rather reserved, but given the uniqueness of mine and Freia’s situation, he readily traded his approval for permission to>
[19:56:14] Luna A: <study us. I’ve also met Leon, though with his position I highly doubt Ceana would mean for me to gain his approval.”
[20:01:08] Nari N: peeks in on the food, closing the door to let it finish cooking. "Arah does seem nice, under most cirumstances. Though I imagine she feels less...threatening to a fellow voidsent." Grabbing a loaf of bread, she slices a few pieces to go with the steak and popoto. She smiles a bit, thinking of Arah's 'awkwardness' when she first arrived. "I'm not surprised that Mora gave you the okay in exchange for studying...well, anything, to be honest. He seems like he'd be interested in anything he 1/2
[20:04:10] Nari N: understand fully already. Still, it's nice having other mortals here. The same goes for Leon, though he got accustomed to the house MUCH faster than I did..." Checking the food once more, she finds it cooked perfectly and quickly pulls it out, placing the steak on a platter to rest while she plates the popoto. Slicing it open, she tops with smoked bacon crumbles, shredded cheese, and a generous pat of butter. Covering it to keep it warm, she faces Luna again. "Food is JUST about ready. 1/3
[20:04:31] Nari N: " I'm eager to see what our newest pending member thinks."
[20:06:58] Luna A: only offers a shrug at the comment of Arah. “I think we mostly got along so well because of my appetite for mortal aether. That and likely my cold aura making for a lovely respite from Heat.” She wasn’t too sure how they became such fast friends. But, she certainly wasn’t going to complain. Better to have support on this side of crazy after all.>
[20:07:06] Luna A: “I suppose I’ll partially number amongst the mortals of this house. Though with how close I am to Freia, not to mention my appetite for mortal aether, I doubt I truly count as mortal these days.” She smelled the food, enjoying its aroma. Though the taste of mortal fare had grown far duller, the smells were still quite enticing. “I must warn you, ever since my first living meal, all other food has tasted somewhat flat. Doesn’t mean I can’t give it a try though.”
[20:12:23] Nari N: smiles, nodding. "Of course, I'm used to 'numb' palettes when it comes to normal food here. So far, Heat is the only voidsent who seems interested in MORTAL cooking. Still, I make sure to do my best, regardless of the eater." Deciding the meat has rested long enough, she quickly slices it, making sure to cut against the grain. Plating it next to the popoto and bread, she brings it over to Luna. "Here you are, one Dzo steak seared and cooked to perfection, and a loaded baked popoto. Please1/2
[20:12:38] Nari N: enjoy, and don't hold back in your critiques."
[20:13:51] Tonberry S: quietly sneaks in the kitchen to gget a pack of N & N's...and look at nari's hot ankles....
[20:18:33] Luna A: took the plate eagerly, savoring the smell of the dish. “Well, however dulled the taste is, I can tell you put quite a bit of love into this just from smell alone.” With that, picked up a piece of the steak and placed it into her mouth. It was juicy and reminded her of the clumps of flesh she would rend from her prey. The taste was dulled, but unlike everything else she had had prior, there was actually some taste there.>
[20:18:42] Luna A: Moving on to sample the rest of the dish, she found it quite similar. Each part was well-done and cooked to perfection. Her dulling made it difficult to fully enjoy, but underneath it all she knew it was a delicious meal. “Food like this almost makes me regret my first mortal meal. Though, your experience in cooking for voidsent is well-earned indeed. Given there was a taste in there, it likely is the best cooking I’ve ever had the pleasure of tasting. Hard to judge these days though.”>
[20:18:49] Luna A: attempted to finish the dish, but even the slight taste was paltry in comparison to the flavors of aether directly from the living she had grown used to. As such, she eventually put the leftovers on the counter. “I’ll certainly wish to have the chance at sampling your cooking once more, though perhaps smaller portions for me would be best.”
[20:22:37] Nari N: smiles, happy that she at least tasted the flavors somewhat. "Next time, I'll try including a more...exotic ingredient. Something we produce 'in house' so to speak. Perhaps it will bring the taste in a direction more to your liking. In any case, please don't feel obligated to eat any more than you wish. As it stands, I don't pay for most of the ingredients myself, anyway." She gives a quick wink, giggling. "I am glad I got the chance to cook for someone new, though. Hopefully I can work 1/2
[20:22:47] Nari N: towards a dish that satisfies even a voidsent!"
[20:23:29] Tonberry S: verrrry carefully removes the cooking jars on the shelf and puts them on the ground. Instantly, a flash of light streams in the hole in the wall from the kitchen. He peaks through. "Oh seven HELLS ya! Nari's hawt kitty mommie buns...and ...a viera bunny! Omg! I hope the bigger one gets on the kitty and does...yoga exercises all over her face before licking caramel icecream off her toes!"
[20:26:56] Luna A: gave a kind nod. “That is something I haven’t yet tried. Though I’m usually in a feeding frenzy by the time my prey is subdued. I would be delighted to be your test eater for your dishes. For your approval in joining the daughters of course.“ She smirked a little, bringing the conversation back to her original purpose. Regardless of making friends, she did need to be sure she had secured the approval of each of the daughters.
[20:29:33] Nari N: nods, smiling. "Of course! I'll make sure to let you know when I'm ready for another attempt and satisfying your appetite." Her smile turns into a grin. "I'm sure it goes without saying, but you have my complete 'approval', as requested by lady Ceana."
[20:29:42] Nari N: attempt at*
[20:29:54] Tonberry S: wiggles from behind the peephole in the closet. "Kiss her, Kiss her you fleabag bunny brain!" He almost knocks over a jar of peanut butter, but catches it. Unscrewing the top, he sticks his finger in. "Hmm...perhaps..this..may be useful."
[20:31:55] Luna A: claps her hands together. “Thank you for the kindness. I suppose with the night still being so young, I should ask if there is anything I could assist with. I should get to know the workings of the manor after all. Would be unwise of me to be blind to what goes on inside on a daily basis.” Not that she didn’t already know much of it, but it was always a good idea to try and learn more if she could.

[20:34:55] Tonberry S: wiggled his tiny tonberry tush, even as his sticky fingers rolled around in the peanut butter. "OOh..I got your 'learning experience ' right here bun bun..." He began un fastening his sacrificial tonberry robes, even as he watched the soft supple sway of Nari;s kitty hips doing perfectly normal stuff. "Thaaaaats right...dirty lil fleabag..daddy likes that furry tail..uh huuuh.."
[20:35:29] Nari N: nods once more. "That would probably be smart. There may be one or two tough ones to win over. Still, I don't doubt you'll be joining us for real in no time, and I look forward to living and working alongside you." She makes her way to the stove, beginning to collect the dirty dishes. "Feel free to use the kitchen once you've joined us and settled in. It's open to everyone, so long as they don't leave a mess." Nari hums as she sets about cleaning the counter and stovetop.
[20:38:35] Luna A: comes over and joins in cleaning up the dishes as best she can. “I was never much of a cook before I lost my tastes in food. But the note is certainly appreciated about keeping the kitchen clean.” She took some of the dirty dishes over to the sink, turning on the tap and waiting for it to heat up as she looked around for the soap. “If I have my names straight, I believe the only two whose approval I still need are Heat and Mina. Any tips for wooing over the two of them?"
[20:40:55] Tonberry S: VERY carefully watches the way Luna's hands softly rub the dishes, letting water flow over them. His tiny robes removed, he starts utilizing the stickiness of the peanut butter in ways best left unsaid while panting. "Oooh ya..dirty girl..get those FILTHY dishes clean! Shoot that sticky Mr. Clean gel ALL over em yeeees.."
[20:43:04] Nari N: tilts her head back, pondering the question. "Let's see...with Heat, your best option would probably be to LITERALLY woo her. She's a very...physical creature, and not just for fighting. Provided it's something you're willing to do, showing her a...'good time' would probably work. Of course, she may give up her approval even more easilly than that, if she finds you 'intriguing' enough. As for Mina, she's actually quite a nice person. If you were to tell her your reasons for wanting to 1/2
[20:43:53] Nari N: join, so long as she doesn't take issue with them, she'd likely welcome you in gladly." Nari glances over at Luna, smiling. "If those two are your last, then I'd say you're already in!"
[20:44:38] Leon J: pushed open the kitchen door using his back as he dragged something heavy. He grunted softly and heaved the load into the kitchen only to pause as the sight of Luna and Nari. “Oh- Apologies, Lady Nari, Miss Luna... I must make use of the kitchen before this meat goes bad...” He explained, heaving the body inside. It was wrapped up in a throw blanket like a mummy so no blood would stain the floor, Leon was holding it by the ankle it would seem from the shape. “Please ignore my >
[20:44:52] Leon J: presence... I’m sorry to interrupt. Ah... But while I’m here, Lady Nari, I have an important message for you if I may.” He said, dragging the mummified body to the nearest, counter that was not in use.
[20:47:27] Luna A: was about to comment on her good fortunes with the remaining approvals she needed when Leon entered. “You weren’t interrupting anything. Just idle chatter as we clean up a mess ourselves.” She took a sniff, smelling the dead body. “Some poor soul go where they weren’t supposed to, or just an offering to get in Arah’s good graces?” She smiled at the light jab, not wishing to treat Leon like the slave he technically was.
[20:49:19] Tonberry S: starts to pant louder as the peanut butter...does what peanut butter does. "OOOOh baby yeeeah...now its a party! Leon;s candy buns is here too? MMM..Him and that dirty school girl french maid skirt..and those bubble bum cheeks.!" Tonberry ssqueals in delight from behind the peephole, desperate to see some more completely nion sexual kitchen activities executed.
[20:50:23] Nari N: smiles at Leon, nodding. "Just so, and you're welcome here anytime." Drying the skillet, she stored it in the cupboard before moving nearer to Leon. "So, is this the good kind of message, or the 'bring out the forgekin' kind of message?"
[20:52:32] Leon J: smiled gently at Luna. “Just a pesky rat.” He simply said. He turned to Nari next. “It’s... a message of caution. We might be moving soon. Mistress Ceana would like for us to make preparations and begin packing necessities. That is all” He explained, giving a bow. He then crouched to the ground and began unwrapping the body from the blanket to reveal a blond male who throat was slit, and knees and ankles also slashed. Leon began undressing the man.
[20:52:34] Leon J: bows politely.
[20:55:31] Luna A: arched an eyebrow at the mention of moving. “I suppose I should ensure not to take any long-term adventuring contracts then. Lest I jeopardize my odds of joining the manor.” As the body was unwrapped, she found herself drawn towards it. “Has anyone claimed this prey by chance, or is a, disposal service, necessary still for him?” That hunger was in her eyes now, knowing that this was someone no one would truly miss. She wanted to eat again so badly. The smell of Nari’s cooking>
[20:55:37] Luna A: <still lingering in the air driving her to hunger. But, she had just enough control to not leap at the corpse and devour it immediately.
[20:57:34] Tonberry S: SQUEALS with joy as leon bends over. "Noooow I see why that big fat bbw big boned succubus kept talking about sprinkling sprinkles and blowing bubbles off that tush! Gods..he's built like a girl! Heck.NARI's bare buttcheeks aren't THAT cute! Hmm..gotta gte him back in the library." Slasher turns to the female bunny. "Ok..your turn big hips...do something naughty for daddy Green.."
[20:59:41] Nari N: raised an eyebrow, her head tilted in confusion. "Moving? So suddenly?" Despite, or perhaps because of, the lack of information, Nari felt the fur of her tail stand on end. Whatever the reason, she doubted it was positive. She considers asking if the fresh body is related, but decides against it, knowing it doesn't really matter. "I see...in that case, I'll begin packing immediately." Turning to Luna, she gave a short bow. "I'm sorry to run off like this, but it sounds like things are 1/2
[21:01:13] Nari N: gonna be hectic soon. I know it's not QUITE official, but welcome to our group nonetheless." Smiling at the two of them, she heads for the door, exiting the kitchen to begin readying for the move.
[21:03:42] Leon J: quickly lifted a hand as Nari moved to leave. “W-Wait! Please don’t rush off Lady Nari. It is nothing that needs your immediate attention. I would hate to pull you apart from our guest. That move is still just a maybe at this point. Please stay, I can help you pack later during the day if you would like.” He gave a gentle smile before looking over to Luna curiously. “Would you like this corpse, Miss? It’s still warm.” He informed before looking at Nari. “Lady Nari, are our >
[21:03:55] Leon J: stocks of ‘mystery meat’ good? I would gladly offer this body to Miss Luna, if so. Would save me the trouble of butchering it...” He said as he continued to undress the man, tossing his clothes to the side in a pile to be incinerated later. He pulled off his shoes and tugged down his pants.
[21:04:21] Leon J: smiles gently.
[21:06:46] Luna A: licked her lips in pure anticipation. She almost didn’t notice Nari saying her goodbyes until Leon interrupted her leaving. “The greeting is still welcomed. And I fully intend to make it official. Just a few loose ends to tie up, though it sounds like that is the case for the daughters here as well.” She chose not to interject in Leon’s questioning. Much as she wished for the body, she knew better than to pick off something that wasn’t her hunt. Instead, she contented to sit>
[21:06:53] Luna A: <gracefully down by the body, taking in its aroma mixed with the cooking from earlier.
[21:07:40] Nari N: stops to face Leon, rubbing the back of her neck. "R-right, sorry. Might've overreacted there..." Returning his smile, she nods. "We should have plenty at the moment. If Luna would like it, she's welcome to this one." She glances over at Luna, smiling. "And of course, you're welcome to make use of our store of meat in the future."
[21:08:50] Tonberry S: starts to panic at Leon;s and nari's words. "MOVING? Just because I killed a blonde bum? Nooo! All..ALL my PORN! Ive got a magazine hidden in every upstairs book IN the library..how am I gonna..Ok..Ok ok..BE cool..I got this!" Slasher calms down and continues observing..while...doing things..to peanut butter that shouldnt be done.
[21:13:55] Leon J: ‘s ear gently twitched, clearly hearing the nasty noises about them but he had recognized it as the Tonberry so it was no rat Leon should be concerned for. He nodded at Nari’s words. “Very well then. Please enjoy Miss Luna.” He said, finally removing the last piece of clothing which were the man’s boxers before standing up. He bowed gracefully to the two, “With that, I will be taking my leave to clean a certain mess in the library... Do let me know if the kitchen needs more >
[21:14:04] Leon J: cleaning later.” He said before bending over to grab the pile of clothes and heading to the door.
[21:14:15] Leon J: bows politely.
[21:17:16] Luna A: grinned evilly as she loomed over the corpse. “A shame he’s already dead. I prefer them alive when I take my first bite. No matter though.” And with that, she began to freeze the body. A wave of cold escaped from her body, chilling the room but icing over one of the man’s arms. Once thoroughly frozen, she cracked it off and began to eat it fervorously like a chocobo wing. It wasn’t long at all before she was snapping bone and prepping the next arm. “Now this is what makes a meal>
[21:17:23] Luna A: >for me now. A shame nothing can compete with living aether anymore.”
[21:17:44] Tonberry S: sighs. "Well..thats ONE premade peanut butter and jelly sandwisch hehe.." He puts the peanut butter top back on. :Ok..gotta get out of here. Just act natuural. : He puts his robe back on..and walks toward the close t door.
[21:20:47] Nari N: watches Luna eat, some intrigued. She had seen voidsent consume flesh before, but never one that froze it first. She found herself wondering how long the ice would last, and if it could be used to store meat. Shaking her thoughts away for now, she grinned. "I see I have a long way to go if I plan to sate THAT appetite. Still, a chef never runs from a challenge." Moving back to the sink, she finishes the remaining dishes, storing them away and leaning against the counter.
[21:23:40] Luna A: wordlessly continues her feast, readily eating each part until she was down to just the torso and head. Tearing off the top of the man’s chest, che revealed the juicy organs on the inside. “It is, quite the rush, eating another mortal. I had my reservations, until I got my first bite of it.” As if to enunciate that fact, she quickly began to eat the intestines like an incredibly large noodle. “Mmm, seems greed was his sin of choice. A lust for knowledge and forbidden texts.” She>
[21:23:47] Luna A: <grabbed the liver and chilled it, making it a little less chewy in the process.
[21:24:44] Tonberry S: quietly walks out the kitchen..not drawing aaaany attention to himself.
[21:29:31] Nari N: tilts her head inquisitvely. "You can tell something like that from eating them? Interesting..." Nari found herself further itrigued by the 'eating' habits of voidsent. She wasn't aware they could divine things like that about their victims through consumption. "Well, whoever he was, he chose the wrong house to cause trouble in." Nari begins wiping down all the counters out of habit, her mind filled with thoughts of moving, and the possible reasons it may happen.
[21:33:32] Luna A: continued her feast, working her way up until she ended at the heart. “There are always traces of who they were in the aether. Easier the more freshly dead they are. And the most traumatized and stressful lives are the most succulent.” She bit into the heart, savoring the arterial blood as some dribbled down her chin. “Each being is a part of the flow of aether. And when you stop it from returning, it is oh so satisfying.”>
[21:33:39] Luna A: She cleaned up any remains aside from the skull and brains, leaving nothing but a couple stains of blood, marrow, and fats on the floor. Standing up, she leaned back on the counter once more, casually sipping on the brains through the nostrils of the skull. “The mind is my favorite part. The bittersweet memories they hold, the thoughts they had in their final moments. It is delectable knowing what they knew.”
[21:40:45] Nari N: listens intently to what Luna tells her, picking bunch of grapes from the table and snacking on them. Finishing them off, she stretches her arms into the air with an an airy sigh. "I have to say, I used to avoid watching the other voidsent eat, when I first joined, but it seems it really doesn't affect me anymore. If anything, it lets me learn more ABOUT voidsent." Nari covers her mouth, partially stifling a small yawn. "Well, it does seem to be getting late, so I may head to my room 1/2
[21:41:15] Nari N: soon. I'm glad we got a chance to talk, and I think we'll get along just fine in the future." She gives Luna a small, somewhat worn out smile.
[21:43:27] Luna A: gave a nod, finishing off the brains of the poor victim before munching on the skull like an edible cone to a frosty dessert. “The first monster I watched eat was myself, so I suppose I couldn’t directly relate to the sentiment. I’ll see if I can find Leon and let him know of the small mess to clean, then likely go turn in myself back at the forgotten knight. I look forward to trying more of your cooking, and just chatting in general.” Food finished, she stretched out and prepared>
[21:43:34] Luna A: <to leave the kitchen.

[1:06 a.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus ‘s ears had twitched after picking up the ungodly screeching noise. Figuring it to be Arahnea, she made her way towards the tunnels. It sounded aggressive, but not urgent, so she didn’t rush in. By the time she got there, the tunnels were far different than the last time she had traveled into them. She was able to see Arah’s true body in full light and splendor, along with many puppets and what looked like an unconscious form she presumed to be their vessel.>
[1:06 a.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: She also noticed that Acclue was in her grasp, bleeding somewhat and in rough shape overall. “I’m going to presume our heretofore silent voidsent finally broke out to speak?” She seemed almost non-plussed by the situation, imagining something far more dire to be taking place.
[1:10 a.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak turned toward Luna, half recognizing them and roughly forcing acclue's body into her arms. Then, with barely restrained savagery grabbed the nearest puppet to her with her forelimbs, an au ra male, and began devouring it in a sickening series of crunches and wet splortches and squleches, absolutely ravenously. The au ura puppet remained at a distance, but the female elezen, male miqote and female hyur all lined up in front of the spider. The au ra puppet spoke, "You should leave. I am >>
[1:11 a.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: >> obscenely ravenous and I do not guarantee your safety once I finish my puppets. Take her and go. I learned little but it may be helpful in some sense."
[1:11 a.m.]Acclue LockheartExodus nodded slowly "Hey Luna... Good presumption." she groaned as she was thrust into the Viera's arms "We at least got some answers out of it. But damn, that hurt. And Arah ate a bunch of it. And me I think. And one of her puppets. I'm hungry." she noted finally.
[1:12 a.m.]Acclue LockheartExodus turned to look at the spider again and commented "T-Two of the puppets."
[1:16 a.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus held onto Acclue as she was placed into her arms. Placing the lalafell down gently, she grabbed a cartridge from her weapon and popped it over her for a little extra healing. It wasn’t too much, but it should be enough to where they could stand on their own. “Head up to the bar and get yourself some mortal food at least. Won’t completely sate your hunger, but it should help at least.” One friend’s safety ensured, she turned up to look at Arah’s true form guzzling down her puppet>
[1:16 a.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: “I recently ate, so I think I can defend myself well enough if you lose control. But I don't’ wish to leave a friend in a bad situation. Besides, if you wish to return to your vessel, I would prefer to be of assistance rather than judge you for your current state.” She said it flatly, but kindly. Perhaps not the best show of friendship, but she intended to stick through the thick and thin of it with Arah.
[1:22 a.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak finished devouring the male au ra puppet in its entirety... then still seemingly unsatisfied reached for the female hyur and male miqote. Grabbing them both at the waist and lifting them up effortlessly with her forelimbs then began alternating between tearing one asunder then the other, piece by piece. The elezen puppet then turned and walked over to join the au ra mage. "I can't bring myself to eat these two. Memories and whatnot. May I ask a favor, Luna?"
[1:23 a.m.]Acclue LockheartExodus was surprised when she felt simply being showered in aether from the shell helped her recover some of her stamina. She slowly got up to her feet and felt her way toward the staircase "Hey... thanks a lot. Both of you. I'll... I think I can take care of it." she gave them a thumbs up as she hugged the wall and began her slow ascent back to the bar.
[1:25 a.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus gave a nod to Acclue, but kept her eyes on Arah. “I’m presuming that you’re wishing for my aether? Though even if it isn’t that, I would be happy to hear it out.” She was genuine in her offer, and though she kept her weapon drawn, it was down at her side and not in any sort of combat stance. SHe had merely just kept it out after retrieving the cartridge for Acclue.
[1:28 a.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak continued devouring the puppets she held, the au ra mage speaking for her. "Take these two, the mage and elezen out of here please. Do not let them return here no matter what resistance they put up. I can control them and I would... prefer not to eat them. I do not know what I am going to do but I do know that I will not be safe to be near until I am satisfied... perhaps take my other body with you as well."
[1:31 a.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus took a deep breath before giving a nod, guiding the two puppets towards the exit into the manor before picking up her vessel. “This won’t quite have as intense of a taste from my aether, but the cartridges are infused with my aether,” she took out a pair of barrels from her ammunition belt and placed them on one of the webs gently. “Consider it my gift. If and when you would like to return to your vessel body, let me know and I will do what I can to assist in that.” With that, she>
[1:31 a.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: <turned towards the exit of the tunnel. As much as she wished to help her friend out, it seemed she was keen on being alone for the moment.
[1:36 a.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak felt the bones snap, the sinew and flesh slide down her throat, the blood stream down her body to the cold stone floor... No matter how much she ate it never brought any sense of satiety. As if she had been aether starved for weeks... which she had been... all hitting her at once. It was a miracle she was not immediately overcome with insanity. A body as large as hers required a great deal of aether... and having been neglected for so long clearly had consequences upon her return... >>
[1:40 a.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: >> 3 of her eyes shifted to look at the Viera... Sweetest moonlight... Blood and aether so fine... she wanted to feel their bones in her teeth... those velvety ears torn free... she wondered what the mammet would taste like... The combination of their aethers... Fffff... Please... go... Gods you look so delicious... just a bit closer... youre almost in reach... come on... no, flee! now! please! gggggggggods... what are you screams like... i can feel your heartbeat... come here... do it DO IT >>
[1:41 a.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: >> COME HERE! GET OVER HERE! Her thoughts were manic, devolving into a starved frenzy of personal desires and instinctual needs. Her humanoid arms wove several strands of aethersteel, which... if they did not promptly leave, Luna would find tethered to their ankle...
(Scene.)

• Back

Assisting a Friend

[11:36 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus held up a hand, signaling the party she was leading to halt. She had finally been given the chance to show some new adventurers what it was like out in the field. A bunch of fresh faces no one would miss. The mission was to patrol the western highlands and report any unusual findings. The viera, however, had different ideas.
[11:36 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: “Shouldn’t we just go back?” The timid Miqo’te pistoleer woman was a stickler for the rules. A trait that would have served her well. “We just report the interesting things, not explore them.”
[11:37 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: “Nah, let’s check ‘em out. We’ll never get known as adventurers if we don’t do anything of actual use. Besides, there’s lots of caves, so what if Luna hears something strange. We need more info.” The Elezen was boisterous and loud, not recognizing the need to be reserved even when out in the field. If she didn’t want to provide decent sacrifices to her friend, she would have shoved that lance down his throat before the exited Falcon’s Nest.
[11:37 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus shook her head. “We explore, but we need to be careful. All manner of things could be lurking about in there. For all we know, it’s a hidden nest for Nidhogg’s crazed wyrmlings.” A complete lie, she knew exactly what was in those tunnels. But, she lead her group into them nonetheless.
[11:37 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: The standout of the group, a sharlayan scholar versed in the tales of Amdapor from her studies, was the first to take note. “I’m not sure we should keep pushing forward miss Luna,” they were still quite reserved, especially as a sea wolf, “It feels, dark. Like there may be something dangerous at play.”
[11:37 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: “All the more reason to go and discover what it is! And if it’s evil, we just kill it!” Luna rolled her eyes at the Elezen man’s outburst. If they could truly discern good from evil in their moral views, they never would have trusted her to begin with.
[11:37 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: It took moment longer, the sea wolf woman voicing her worries a couple more times, but eventually they reached towards the end of the Viera’s familiarity. Of course, that was when the webs began. “It looks like whatever is taking up residence in here spins some kind of web.” She noted it factually, as though it were a simple thing. Plucking a webstring to alert her friend to visitors, she brought them deeper into the tunnels, following the thickness of the webs to tell her she was getting>
[11:37 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: <closer to the manor.
[11:49 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak stirred in her spider silk tomb, sensing something she had not in quite some time. Something wandering into her web slung lair. From where... further down the western tunnel... Arahnea rose to her full height, casting a gaze down toward the still slumbering, cocooned figure she had entombed for her own safety. No one would intrude on this sanctum while they still slept... No one. She sould feel her monstrous maw crick and crack... splitting open to reveal dozens upon dozens of fangs as an >>
[11:49 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: >> enraged hiss left her throat. One aspect confused her though... the deliberate triggering of her web... Not the careless steps of any misbegotten soul... But a purposeful... notification. Further confused, Arahnea's massive form crept up the wall and onto the ceiling, shrouding herself in the utter darkness of the tunnels as she silently skittered towards the source of the disturbance... She had gone far above and beyond in creating her network of silken alarms, creating a webbed labyrinth >>
[11:50 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: within the tunnels that not even the most skilled of lightfooted thieves could hope to pass through undetected. Her silver eyes veiled by glow obscuring secondary lids scanned every inch of her tunnels as she continued her multi-legged traversal.
[11:54 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus guided the party deeper into the tunnels, much to the chagrin of their Miqo’te companion. It seemed that she was wanting to run, but it was already too late. The viera made sure to stand well in front of the torch-bearing lancer so her darkvision would be more effective. Not that she would let them know the reason, they just thought it was their leader being protective.>
[11:54 p.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: “Keep your eyes peeled. You wouldn’t wish to become a sacrifice to the owner of these webs.” She said it somewhat loudly, intentionally plucking another web with her foot to aid in guiding the spider towards the party. She even kept her weapon sheathed still, knowing that it wasn’t her that would be the one in danger.
[11:58 p.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak heard yet another purposeful twang upon her webbing... and then multiple smaller disturbances... There was more than one. Who... Dared... Set... Foot... Here... She crept as fast as she could while remaining silent. She rounded a bend in the tunnels... and saw a light in the distance. She could not see details of the intruders but she saw them... She chittered and hissed in barely restrained outrage as she clung as tightly and closely to the tunnels as she could, appearing something akin >>
[12:00 a.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: >> just another set of stalagmites on the ceiling or odd rock formations. Between her two forelimbs she spun a veritable net of aethersteel and held still as a statue save for the subtle glow of her silver octet of eyes.
[12:04 a.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: The eerie atmosphere of the tunnels seemed to be enough to unnerve even the boastful Elezen lancer as the trio behind Luna started to question their resolve. Then, Luna saw it, in the corner of her eye. Had she not been looking for it specifically with her void-enhanced vision, there wasn’t a chance she would have seen the skittering of her friend. She let out a smirk and relaxed somewhat, slowing her pace to ensure the catch could go off without a hitch, including her own life being spared.>
[12:05 a.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: As they slowly approached under the inevitable ambush, Luna spoke once more. “You know, there is quite the lovely moonlight out tonight, sure to leave some wonderful dewdrops on the grass in ishgard when the morning arrives.” She put barely noticeable emphasis on the pet nicknames for each other, hoping to ring a memory bell in her friend no matter how crazed she might currently be.>
[12:05 a.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: After just passing Arah’s hiding spot, Luna stopped the group and turned to face them. Her smile to them was warm and gentle, but beneath those smiling eyelids was a devilish grin. “I don’t think we have anything to worry about. After all, the only thing I see here is friends. And friends always look out for each other.”
[12:16 a.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak recognized one of the voices. Her head tilting slightly in confusion for a moment but as she heard the Viera's words, understanding struck her. I see... As the group came to a halt... just past where she clung to the ceiling... She cast her mutli-eyed gaze quickly over the trio of others... a fighter of some sort, a woman with a gun and a possible mage of some type... Then in semblance of what one would have more pictured coming from a mantis, arahnea brought her two powerful forelimbs >>
[12:16 a.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: >> down and around the miqo'te woman at the very back, snapping that aethersteel net down around them and wrapping them from head to ankle in webbing, silencing any scream the likely stunned and confused miqo'te could utter as she was lifted to the ceiling into arahnea's grasp. The entire event happening in less than a second, the next few moments being used to secure the cocooned cat to the ceiling and then have her attention turned to others in the group.
[12:21 a.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: The pistoleer let out a yelp as she was bound by the cocoon, quickly silenced, but still enough of a sound to draw the gaze of the jumpy pair behind Luna. “Oh, I wouldn’t be worried about that. That’s just the owner of the tunnels, and you, you are trespassing.” With a smirk, her eyes flashed cerulean as she slicked the flooring web with ice to hinder any attempt at running. The fear settled into the two remaining adventurer’s eyes as they tried desperately to scramble away.>
[12:21 a.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: The man with a lance stumbled first, his heavy-ended weapon pulling him forward as it stabbed into the webbing as best it could. The scholarly woman though was able to keep her footing, trying desperately to make it to the exit with what little knowledge of the tunnels she had. “Aieee, traitor, traitor!” she screamed behind her as she attempted her escape. Her insults only elicited a small shrug from the viera though.
[12:30 a.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak thrust a hand forward towards the fleeing roegadyn, a rope of aethersilk deftly aimed at the woman's legs and wrapping about their ankles like a tethered bola. Arahnea used her monstrous strength and pulled back on the web rope she still held, dragging the bound scholar backwards and slamming them into the lance wielding man, sending them both to the floor of the tunnel. At that Arahnea descended from the ceiling, eight legs crushing into the stone loudly as she let out a roar like none >>
[12:30 a.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: >> these poor souls had ever heard as she stalked forward and slammed one of her front legs through the chest of the armored lance wielder. She pierced through the mans armor and into her torso as she lifted him up, grabbing the man in her humanoid arms and began tearing off armor and clothing as if she were peeling an orange... then split her monstrous gaping maw wide enough to fit the mans entire head inside and bit down, decapitating the elezen man in an instant then devouring him quickly >>
[12:31 a.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: from the shoulders on down. Not even out of a hunger, but out of a need to destroy utterly that which had stepped foot into her tunnels so brazenly... It took her less than 30 seconds to fully devour a full-grown elezen male in his entirety. As if he were never there to begin with save for their weapon and armor.
[12:38 a.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus was genuinely impressed with the efficacy Arah took them down, surprised at how helpless the adventurers were. She knew she was powerful, but didn’t realize just how talented she was at disabling the enemy. Watching the man get devoured, Luna felt tempted to go for the Roegadyn woman, but she managed to stop herself. These adventurers were a gift, not a meal to share.>
[12:38 a.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: The scholar glared at Luna, fear and disgust in her eyes. “She’s going to kill you too! She’ll eat you alive and we’re all doomed to be in her gaping maw.” Luna only walked over, crouching next to the scholar in her heels confidently across her own ice. “No, she’s going to do as she wishes to you, and then she and I will have a pleasant conversation. Or she might get a little bloodthirsty and ask for some of my aether. But no, the only ones who will die today are the three>
[12:38 a.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: <adventurers killed by a large wyrmling who came out of nowhere.” Her smirk was no longer masked, fully evil as she enjoyed the look of terror in the woman’s eyes.
[12:44 a.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak swallowed loudly, the noise painfully loud in the tunnels. She let the roegadyn woman speak whatever words she felt would be appropriate for the last she would ever get and brought a forelimb up and tore the bound miqo'te from the ceiling, carrying the entombed woman as she began making her way back down the tunnels twoards the alcove she called her den, dragging the roegadyn behind her by the ankles. She turned to Luna as her massive form passed by her, taking a deep breath and forcing a >>
[12:45 a.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: >> throat not meant for speech to speak in a deep, growling voice. "LLLUNA... WHAT BRINGSSS... YOUUU HEEERE... TODAAAY?" She spoke... almost casually, conversationally as if she were greeting a friend who suddenly showed up for a visit. Every few words were accompanied by that hissing inhale. "YOUUU... CHOSSSE ANNN... ODD ENTRANCCCE... TODAAAY..."
[12:50 a.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: The Roegadyn woman continued to scream various obscenities, but Luna just did her best to tune her out. “Can a girl not just swing by for a visit?” She smiled as her heels clicked along the stone floors of the cave. “And the choice of entrance was for ease of bring these gifts to you. Far easier to lure hapless adventurers via the highlands, and I presumed you’d still be in your tunnels given your vessel hasn’t stirred since the other night.”>
[12:51 a.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: WIth another scream from the scholar, something about being a traitor to her own kind, Luna turned behind them to shush her. “Do you need them to be able to speak, or can I freeze their vocal chords off? Also, don’t worry about your vessel, I have it safely in my room at the forgotten knight and have fed it what liquids I can. Not much, but hopefully enough you aren’t as aether-starved if you wish to return to it.”
[12:59 a.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak lifted the arm that held the web rope and whipped it up and then down, lifting the roegadyn into the air and them slamming them onto the floor, knocking the wind from them. "WASSS WONDERRRING... WHERRRE YOUUU TOOOK... THAAAT BODYYY..." It took a bit to navigate the tunnels back to her den, Arahnea chittered somewhat excitedly. She had not often had others down here with her, even before. Once they reached her den, Arahnea hung the roegadyn from the ceiling upside down as she set the >>
[12:59 a.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: >> squirming cocooned miqo'te upon a large raised flattened stone altar. "APOLOGIESSS... YOUUU BROUGHT THESSSE... ONESSS AT ANNN... OPPORTUNE TIIIME... I FFFIND MYSSSELF... NEEDIIING NEWWW... PUPPETSSS..." She turned to Luna, eyes shining brightly. "IIIT IIIS NNNOT... PLEASSSENT TO SSSEE... I AM SSSURE..."
[1:03 a.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: With the scholar silenced, Luna turned her attention back to the conversation. “Apologies for taking it so far from the manor, but I hadn’t seen Heat and wasn’t sure if there was someone else who you would’ve wished to trust it to. Though perhaps it was presumptuous of me to think you would trust me with it either.” She laughed lightly as they arrived at the den. “Much nicer now that I can actually see the place properly. And I don’t mind seeing it. I revel in consumption of live>
[1:03 a.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: <prey, I doubt there is much that could truly unsettle me.” She offered a shrug though, “Do with them as you wish, I brought them as gifts, whether that be food, toys, or something else entirely is up to you.”
[1:05 a.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak shrugged her shoulders. "WELLL... WHIIICH OOONE... ANNNOYED YOUUU MOOORE...? ORRR RRRATHERRR... WHIIICH OOONE... DO YOUUU WAAANT... TO SSSEE WHAAAT... HAPPENSSS... AND SSSIT IN FFFEAR... ASSS THEYYY WAAAIT... FORRR MMME... TO DO THE SSSAME... TO THEEEM...?"
[1:08 a.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: “The Elezen was hands down the most annoying of the trio. Real boisterous type who thought he could take on the world. Between the two living ones though, I’d say do the Miqo’te first. I dunno, guess I got a slight soft spot still that she managed to find.” She could feel herself sigh a bit. It was a shame someone so genuinely kind-seeming came to be in this luring party of hers. The least she could do was make her existence end swiftly. “The scholar knows too much about the void>
[1:08 a.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: <though by the sounds of it, so whatever you do, make sure there’s no chance she can resurface.”

[1:40 a.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak let the redacted within the miqo'te finish attaching itself to the veins, nerves and spinal column as she approached the Roegadyn. She brought her hand to the woman's shoulder, her forelimbs to their waist and lifted her up. She brought one of her dagger clawed hands to the woman's cheek and rested it there gently. For some reason she liked this woman. Perhaps simply just her looks but something about them told her she was going to prove to be one of her favorites. "SSSAID... ALLL THAAAT...>>
[1:40 a.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: >> YOUUU WISSSHED... TO SSSAY?" She spoke, the miqo'te's blood still dripping from her maw. "DOOO NNNOT WORRYYYY... YYYOUR BODYYY... WILLL BE TREASSSURED... AND USSSED BETTERRR... THAN YOU... EVER COOOULD... HHHAVE NO FFFEAR... BEEE... AAAT... PEACEEE..." And with that she redacted.
[1:43 a.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus stood back and leaned against the wall of the den, looking around and spotting another cocoon but choosing not to comment on it. Once the process was completing, she finally spoke up. “I suppose it makes sense a spider would redacted to create the puppets, as strange as it still seems to me.” She looked towards the pistoleer turned puppet to see if it was fully a puppet just yet, curious as to the length the process would take.
[1:47 a.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak finished her latest creation process, the ordeal taking several minutes... then almost as if on cue the miqo'te began slowly moving. Arahnea left the roegadyn to do a similar adjustment process and then went over to cut the silken binding on the cat woman... who then sat up and stood up to look at Luna. The only evidence of anything being off with her would be the torrent of still wet blood that streamed down her chin and torso. The miqo'te puppet walked over to Luna and pointed at what >>
[1:48 a.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: >> she beleived to be that viera's aetheric curative shells then pointed at herself.
[1:51 a.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: “Ah, I suppose that would be useful yes,” she grabbed a cylinder filled with the healing shells and passed it to the miqo’te puppet. “Use to your heart’s content, I have too many of them right now honestly.” She had debated finding a different weapon, as she disliked drifting to her old baseline of power just to create shells. Though, she had been getting better at drawing on the surrounding aether in order to infuse her cartridges. Maybe it would be useful to get a mortal slave to>
[1:51 a.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: <do that for her though.
[1:55 a.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak crushed a shell in her grasp, letting the curative energy within it partially mend her ravaged throat. Then in a raspy, hoarse and strained voice she spoke... in the voice of the miqo'te woman. "I had forgotten how miqo'te's feel. The ears and tail are odd to use properly. The tails in particular are far weaker then an Au ra's... But that's neither here nor there." The puppet looked up at Luna, the spider behind her staring as well. "It's good to see you... How is acclue? I may have gone >>
[1:56 a.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: >> overboard... I hope they are alright."
[1:59 a.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: “It’s good to see you stabilized. I know you were likely aether-starved, but I was still worried to have lost a friend to madness for a moment.” She spoke to the spider body, knowing the puppet was merely a convenient mouthpiece, much like Freia’s mammet. “I haven’t seen Acclue since I got her out that night, but she seemed alright. A healing shell and she was walking on her own without much trouble. Given there’s at least a shell of a mortal there, she should be bale to regain>
[1:59 a.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: <her aether without trouble.”
[2:06 a.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak shrugged, both the spider and the puppet in unison. "Oh no, trust me... I wished for death. I've never experienced such... intense agony in all my years. I'd never known aether starvation could be so... horrificly debilitating..." An odd look rose to both the spiders and the puppets face... "This... This whole thing didn't disgust or... disturb you, did it? I don't particularly enjoy this, to be honest. I know it's not something pleasant to see by any means." As if on cue the roegadyn body >
[2:07 a.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: > began spasming and doing that same erratic set of movements as Arahnea began the same attunement process to it.
[2:09 a.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus gave an indifferent shrug. “It is most certainly on the list of strange things to have seen, but I wouldn’t say disturbing. As for disgusting, I feel I should reiterate that we share the fact we both eat our prey whole, and usually alive.” She closed her eyes, briefly reminiscing in the memories of her few hunts she hoped to expand on. “You are why I renounced my mortality and gave myself wholly to the void. You are why my connection to Luna is stronger than ever. Anything new you>
[2:09 a.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: <have to show me is simply a learning opportunity. Perhaps an unpleasant one, but a learning opportunity nonetheless.”
[2:12 a.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak stared at Luna. These puppets... were not the same as her other body. They had a no light in their eyes, no true emotion in their words. Exactly like her namesake for them, they were a mere puppet being handled expertly by Arahnea's aetheric marionette strings. Nothing like her other body. These animated corpse puppets were nothing compared to the true life that breathed from her other body. Clearly, a different process was used for that than what Luna had just seen here. "Still. I do not >>
[2:14 a.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: >> relish having shown you this... or... to anyone really... I am not proud of this ability but I use it to its utmost anyway. Speaking of which, where did you leave the other two? The au ra and the elezen. I need to re-link to them at some point."
[2:17 a.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: “I appreciate you trusting to show me this nonetheless. It does mean a lot to me that you are willing to be open. I wish I had such secrets to offer in return, but I’m afraid the only ones I have to keep are the ones you introduced me to or a part of me that is the reason I could be here to begin with.” SHe had to laugh at herself a little, realizing just how open a book she was, and how vulnerable that would make her in the eyes of most voidsent.>
[2:17 a.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: “The puppet you had me spare should be in the foyer, by the tunnel entrance. Ceana may have had them moved or stored elsewhere, but I haven’t been in the manor since that night to confirm that. If they aren’t there, probably best to ask Leon kindly.” She regretted that she couldn’t have done more in her friend’s time of need. But, sparing the things she held dear was probably the best she could’ve done in that situation. Not like she had the aether on hand to satiate the appetite>
[2:17 a.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: <of a starved voidsent of considerable power.
[2:20 a.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak strode over to Luna as the spider licked the blood clean from her chin and jaw. She then plopped down beside her, even sat flat on the ground she still stood taller than the Viera. She cradled her front legs and forelimbs into something of a seat and gestured to Luna with her humanoid hands to sit.
[2:23 a.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus did just that, gently taking up a seat in Arah’s improvised lap seat. “Much as I don’t wish for you to be ashamed of your true form, I do miss having you able to surprise me at my door for a hunt. Suppose it ensures I come to see you more often though,” she smiled gently at the spider’s face, content to just be chatting with a friend. Even with their friendship, it still felt strange that she could be so comfortable around something so monstrous and large.
[2:26 a.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak immediately wrapped her arms around the viera's torso, hugging her tightly but not too tightly as she aggressively rubbed her cheek against Luna's for a moment. The Roegadyn puppet then stood, taking a curative shell from the miqote puppet and cracked it... then with a similarly hoarse voice spoke. "I do not often... get to hold or nestle against anyone in this my true body. So forgive me for this aggressive display. I cannot seem to help myself, that and I am just happy to see you." >>
[2:27 a.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: >> This dangerous being that had done horrific things to three innocent souls but minutes ago... was now sat upon the ground aggressively cuddling someone as two of said innocents watched emotionlessly.
[2:30 a.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus leaned into the hug, though unable to return it due to the positioning of their bodies. She seemed to now be in a situation that would be unbelievable to most of her peers. Though given the changing makeup of her peers, perhaps it would be more and more likely to be believable. “There is nothing wrong with a bit of cuddling, no matter the form you are in.” She said it genuinely, and meant each and every word of it. “With the lives we lead, it is so easy to forget to just, be,>
[2:30 a.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: <sometimes. Taking a few moments to lay back and relax instead of relentlessly trying to get ahead or accrue power.”
[2:34 a.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak simply shrugged. The miqote puppet wandering off into the tunnels to gather the elezen mans gear. The roegadyn puppet spoke. "Well, I suppose you are right... I will be... completely honest. I am still quite baffled by your choice to be so amicable and friendly with me. Simply being your introduction to the dark powers-that-be should not be something so profound that I should be so important to you. Not that I am complaining, simply trying to understand."
[2:38 a.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: “You were more than just an introduction. You were also the one who encouraged me to explore. And though there was no way I could completely escape, you didn’t force my choices upon me. Not to mention, you’re easily the most honest person I have met in this manor, and I have gained the approval of most of the daughters by now.” Though she disliked the beguiling tactics often applied by the voidsent, she had to partake in them herself lest she be left too far behind. “You remind me a>
[2:39 a.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: <lot of my blood sister. Unable to truly relate to her family, however much her appearance and ability binds her to them. And yet, through all that, you remain true to yourself. No hiding who you were and utilizing it if it is highly beneficial, but not letting it define you.” Perhaps she wasn’t making sense at this point, but she was just filling the air somewhat, wishing to keep the conversation going.
[2:42 a.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak tilted her head, "Ah, that's right. I had forgotten Ceana had tasked you with that... How has that been going? I trust things have been relatively smooth thus far. Our numbers are far smaller than they were when I first came here. So it's not as though it is an entirely monumental task." A soft hiss escaped the spiders closed maw as she remembered the events of that night in the library... Her eight eyes all squinting at Luna as one /particular/ memory reared its head... "I haven't >>
[2:43 a.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: >> forgotten that little bit of betrayal by the way."
[2:46 a.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus smiled innocently, “Oh, I’m not surprised. And though I am sorry for betraying your trust somewhat, I won’t apologize for using a poor situation for the better.” She knew it would be something equally humiliating for her in due time, likely when she slips up on guard duty herself. “As for getting the approval, I believe I am only missing two now: Heat and Mina. Though, with the rumors of the move happening soon, I do have a slight worry that I will be delaying my plans until I can>
[2:46 a.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: <find the new manor. As for the ones I already gained the approval of, they were surprisingly amicable. Then again, they are the mortals within the daughters ranks, so that shouldn’t be all too surprising.”
[2:49 a.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak bluntly spoke, "Heat is going to want to fuck, most likely. And probably try to get you to be 'hers' as she seems to try to do with everyone." The roegadyn puppet shrugged, "Greedy, possessive little bat that she is. She can be surprisingly loving though, she's been kind to me at least. Thus far the only one here to do so." The spider closed her eyes for a moment as the puppet spoke again, "As for mina... she is a mystery even to me. I have a distinct feeling she is a match for me in >>
[2:50 a.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: >> strength but she has also been surprisingly private and secluded. I've only spoken to her once and have never had the opportunity to do so since then."
[2:53 a.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus chuckled. “If she wishes to make me hers, she’ll have another one coming. Though I wouldn’t inherently decline sex for approval. I’ve done it for far less when I was at a lower point in my life.” She pondered on the words for Mina, it seemed ever so few people actually could give her advice on Mina. it seemed her chance to meet the woman would be an intriguing one to say the least. “Well, here’s to hoping there isn’t much more to give up in order to gain approval. Not that>
[2:53 a.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: <I’ve truly given up much of anything. I promised to let Morah study mine and Freia’s connection, and Nari just wishes to practice cooking for a voidsent palette using me as a taster. I stand to learn from both, so the approval was just icing on the cake and an insurance of my availability for their endeavors.”
[2:56 a.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak cringed a bit at the note of voidsent cooking... "Ah... Yes... Well... Best of luck with that... The last time I was made to try voidsent cooking, Heat had made some sort of... decadent chocolate covered rolanberry... that was encased in hyper dense aether and would explode like a bomb if not eaten correctly. The crazy ass bat made me eat a gods damn aetheric bomb shaped like a chocolate. I've never so terrified in my life. Though to be fair, it was actually quite... good. I would never >>
[2:57 a.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: >> try it again though. Never."
[2:59 a.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: “I will, certainly be mindful of that,” she looked somewhat shocked at the statement, but had no intention of backing out of a promise that simple. “Though, perhaps from a less, ah, explosive personality will bloom a less explosive dish.” SHe tried to smile, even if it was clearly filled with some nervousness. “But what about you? Anything of note happening in the tunnels? Other than the latest set of adventurers presenting themselves on an icy silver platter of course.”
[3:01 a.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak quickly and bluntly answered. "No." She pulled away from the nuzzling and stared hard at Luna for a moment, silver eyes searching for something in the Viera's expression. "Nothing of note has happened. Besides your little visit."
[3:04 a.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus looked saddened. “I suppose you did mention it was rather lonely in the tunnels. I see now why you were wanting so badly to inhabit a vessel and be out and about.” She leaned a head against the chitin of her spider friend. “I don’t know what it would take for you to transfer back to it, or if you want to go back to it already. But, should you choose to reinhabit it, let me know if there is something I can do to help. I get to be around others, but there are so few who I can>
[3:04 a.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: <genuinely call friend.”
[3:09 a.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak let out a long, relieved hiss. "Shhhhhhhhhhhhh... HHHAAAVE... ACCEPTEEED THISSS BODYYY... TWOOO HAAALVES... SSSAAAME COIIIN... NNNEEED TOOO... TELLL PYRIAAA... OFFF THISSS..." The puppet spoke again, "I am unsure what I wish to do with my other vessel. I do wish to return to it, but I also believe I should return to my normality here... I am conflicted and unsure. I also have no way to contact Pyria in this form and I fear she may worry. I am at an impasse and I do not enjoy it. Difficult >>
[3:09 a.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: >> choices and actions have never been my forte."

[3:13 a.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: “Perhaps there is a way to transfer between the two more freely? Like forging some sort of conduit between the two so you are not restrained by such a large cost of aether each time you wish to switch.” She was musing somewhat, trying to offer a way to give the best of both worlds. “It is certainly a difficult conundrum. But, know that regardless of your choice, I’ll still be your friend. Though, if there can be two people inhabiting one body, it isn’t so hard to imagine one soul>
[3:13 a.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: <inhabiting two, given a strong enough channel dug between the two bodies. Perhaps the woman suppressed in your vessel can pilot it in your absence, ensure its safety and let you in when you wish.”
[3:17 a.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak chittered and hissed in thought... "I do not know if the former owner of that body even can. She is still there and conscious. I know she sees, hears and feels everything I do. But... they've not once responded when I've tried to reach out to them. It is not surprising though. And sadly for me to inhabit that body fully as I would my own, her soul needs to remain within it. " She recalled something... "Do you know where Pyria resides? Could you possibly either relay a message or tell her >>
[3:18 a.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: >> what happened? She may... actually have something of an answer to this issue..."
[3:21 a.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus shook her head. “I do not have the address. Though knowing she is of lesser nobility, it shouldn’t be impossible to find her. The true issue will be to somehow meet her before our departure from Ishgard, as it will likely be far more difficult. Though perhaps Freia can track Acclue and we find her that way?” She hated how useless she felt to her friend. Unable to provide good ideas or even basic information. It made her realize that, though she was strong in the eyes of mortals, she>
[3:21 a.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus: <was a mere novice to those whose lives were far, far longer.
[3:28 a.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak thought for a moment. "I do not... remember her address but I can tell you how to get there. If I had a linkpearl then I might have been able to simply use that but... regretfully I do not. I should see about getting one someday..." She then rattles off... amateurish directions to Pyria's estate. No street names or the anmes of landmarks. Simply saying she goes this way, then that way, then left at the big lampost, under that bridge then over the next until she sees the door she remembers >>
[3:29 a.m.]Arahnea Aalz-arak: >> somewhat near a statue of a woman with spear and shield. Directions they may be but... unhelpful in the extreme... It would seem arahnea was a creature of habits, not memory. If she does not do something or see someone often enough, she is quite likely to forget it or them.
[3:31 a.m.]Luna AscentrixExodus did her best to note the directions, though much of it went over her head. “I’m not certain if Ishgard distributes linkpearls, but I will certainly see if I can do something about that. As for finding Pyria, I will do my best, though it may be better to ask Acclue about it. She is the one working under Pyria after all.” For the moment though, she was content to just be with her friend.

• Back

Protection and Sacrifice

Arsene Masters | The captain grumbles as he approaches the door, parchment in hand. With a rough hand, he wraps upon the door, the wood shaking under his first. "Open up!" barks the officer "we know you're there! We have a warrant!" He was already tired of this and looked towards the rest of his soldiers, giving each a nod to be on guard.
Luna AscentrixExodus looked to the captain of the squadron they led. Was a good thing she caught the listing for this, but it appears she wasn’t the only adventurer foolhardy enough to volunteer for investigation duty. That was likely her best target. For now though, she needed to play along with the investigation and find a way to get one or two distracted while the others were likely killed.
Ceana Ramsay slowly creaks the door open, peaking out into the sunny day with squinted eyes. The woman behind the door speaks in the most charmingly sweet voice, "Oh, I .. are you sure you have the correct house? We are immigrants and try to stay out of trouble, sir.."
Arsene Masters | "Off with it," he replies, shoving the parchment into the woman's chest "we're here looking for a fugitive. A warrant for it's detainment and arrest by the Holy See. You are required to allow us to search the premises or you and your fellow 'immigrants' will be detained." He lookes around behind the person, scanning the room for other individuals. "Are you alone or are there others here?"
Ceana Ramsay plays along as the brutish man shoves her backwards, clasping the warrant in feigned delicacy, "I..." she takes a moment to look over the valid warrant document, and a creepy grin twists on her lovely, glistening lips, "Oh, there might be some of my family in thier rooms. Although I'm not sure which room they are in...." The woman steps back, out of the knights's ways, and analytically begins sizing up the various knights quietly.
Arsene Masters | The captain steps inside, hand on the hilt of his saber as he cranes his head back and forth. Nobody so far, but it was a big manor...there had to be others. "You will tell us which rooms they are in," he barks again, narrowing his eyes at her "we are not going to allow anyone to deter this investigation." He waves a hand to the rest of his fellow knights. "Fan out and search the immediate area. I want people detained and brought here."
Luna AscentrixExodus: With the command to start searching given, Luna took her moment to speak up. “If I may interject, I believe it would be prudent if I and the other adventurer take guard at the perimeter, that way none can flee through the windows.”
Ceana Ramsay shrugs, offering an innocent smile, "I genuinely am not sure, sir. I am being cooperative! Please, feel free to enter them, sir. Your warrant says you have the right to search my house in its entirety.
Arsene Masters | With a click of his tongue, he cast a glance to the adventurer that was brought along. "I don't care, go search. I'd rather you not get in our way."
Ariene TrauvaleuxLamia seems a little out of place, but confident with the presence of the knights. She just lets them do the talking and stands around to be muscle if she needs to be. When Luna calls for them to patrol the outside together, she shrugs her shoulders. She'd rather spend time with a fellow adventurer than the grouchy captain.
Arsene Masters | He turns his gaze back to Ceana. "Good. Everyone, you have your orders, stop sitting on your arses and fan out!" He barks to his team.
Strident NorsflameFamfrit The bigger ishgardian knights growls and nods to his commander. "Right away commander." His footsteps echos throught the halls as he leads the charge.
Luna AscentrixExodus gave a nod before heading towards the fence, “come with me, adventurer, let’s keep an eye out.”

Luna A.: Now outside, Luna took stock of the manor, she knew that there wouldn’t be anyone likely escaping alive, but she couldn’t just knock out or kill the hapless adventurer. For now, she did her due diligence keeping a watch. “So, I don’t believe I caught your name before the knights had us marching along in silence.”
Ariene T.Lamia shivers as she walks out the door with Luna "Ariene. Glad to be out of there honestly. That captain's kind of an arse." she kept vigilant of the manor though, she wasn't slacking off.
Luna A.: “Most of the knights are, in my experience. Probably because the majority of them are nobles and the rest have to be haughty just to keep up.” She smiled a bit, “Though, if they’re stopping so low as to bring adventurers with no requirements, something bad must’ve happened.”
Ariene T.Lamia shrugs her shoulders "Feels like harrassment to me. What do I know though? I'm not exactly experienced. How long have you been at this job?" she asked curiously.
Luna A. gave a shrug. “Years at this point? I honestly lose track of the amount of time that has passed. Not to mention that in our line of work we take whatever odd jobs we can get. I’ve been Ishgard a couple of moons now though.” She didn’t want to get too familiar with prey, but at this point, she just needed to draw things out as long as was reasonable. “What drew you to adventuring anyways? Elezen in Ishgard usually don’t have to choose such a profession out of desperation after all.”
Ariene T.Lamia stared toward the manor's door for a moment as if hesitating "Wanderlust, I suppose. Ishgard is... bleak. I've always wanted to see greener pastures. Adventurers travel the world, so I thought maybe I'll get to see other regions this way. There's something beautiful about traveling." she nodded graciously and leaned against the fence, starting to settle in "Nothing's gonna happen on this job, is it? Fine by me, I still get paid."
Luna A.: Oh, something was very much going to happen. But not yet, she needed there to be enough time for the rest of the squadron to become occupied. “The world can be beautiful, it can also be vicious and cruel. And quite likely. Guard or patrol missions are usually boring. It’s the one time it’s not that is why they hire us.” She made a small show of looking at the windows, but was truly making sure no further witnesses were showing up.
Ariene T.Lamia stayed silent as she kept watch for a few minutes, but it was clear she was becoming fidgety about nothing happening "You ever kill someone?" she finally spoke up "I know it's not always monsters we're after. I don't look forward to the day I have to fell another person, even if they are an enemy. Perhaps I'm being more sentimental than I must though."
Luna A. smirked, “Oh, I’ve killed quite a few people in my days adventuring. Some more deserved than others.” She kept the details vague, but did step a little closer to Ariene. “You’d be surprised just how close people and monsters are, both in nature and distance.”
Ariene T.Lamia nodded quietly, barely registering her approach since she was so focused on the manor. "It's a dangerous world. I knew that when I started this. I'll probably die young. But I hope I'll at least have seen the land before then. That's all I really want. To go somewhere that isn't grey." she let out a small laugh and turned back to Luna with a smile "I'm sure it's going to be beautiful."
[20:05:44] Luna A: decided against killing her right now. Alive was the preference for her sacrifice after all, and by all means this should count as that. A mortal specifically given to Ceana for the purpose of joining the daughters. “You have no idea how right you are,” was the only vague sentiment she gave. After letting a few more quiet moments pass, she spoke up once more. “It’s been quite a while now, we should probably go check on how the investigation is going. Anyone who would’ve bailed>
[20:05:53] Luna A: <likely would have by now.”
[20:08:51] Ariene T: looked surprised "I suppose... but shouldn't we have heard something by now? This fugitive must be well-hidden, or not here at all at this point." she huffed "I suppose we should check in with the captain anyway." she stood back up away from the fence, ready to follow Luna back inside.

[19:55:28] Ariene T: nodded quietly, barely registering her approach since she was so focused on the manor. "It's a dangerous world. I knew that when I started this. I'll probably die young. But I hope I'll at least have seen the land before then. That's all I relly want. To go somewhere that isn't grey." she let out a small laugh and turned back to Luna with a smile "I'm sure it's going to be beautiful."
[20:05:44] Luna A: decided against killing her right now. Alive was the preference for her sacrifice after all, and by all means this should count as that. A mortal specifically given to Ceana for the purpose of joining the daughters. “You have no idea how right you are,” was the only vague sentiment she gave. After letting a few more quiet moments pass, she spoke up once more. “It’s been quite a while now, we should probably go check on how the investigation is going. Anyone who would’ve bailed>
[20:05:53] Luna A: <likely would have by now.”
[20:08:51] Ariene T: looked surprised "I suppose... but shouldn't we have heard something by now? This fugitive must be well-hidden, or not here at all at this point." she huffed "I suppose we should check in with the captain anyway." she stood back up away from the fence, ready to follow Luna back inside.
[20:13:08] Tonberry S: looks up at Luna. "Aaah..the respectably spicy bunnified mistress I had the pleasure of meeting in the library a few days ago. A pleasure to see you again m'lady. And who is the snack you brought with you?"
[20:13:17] Nari N: enters the lobby, panting with her hands on her knees. Noticing more strangers in the lobby with the tonberry, she rushes over.
[20:13:21] Ariene T: stepped through the door and saw the Tonberry standing in the foyer "What the heck is that?" she asked, reaching for her own blade.
[20:15:07] Leon J: uses this moment to quietly walk to the front door and lock it, removing his hiding ability.
[20:15:08] Luna A: walked in, hoping to see Ceana, or at least the captain to keep up appearances. Instead, she was greeted by something that would very quickly break any deception she would have present. “A tribute for Ceana, and a contribution to the investigation problem we’re dealing with. YOu wouldn’t happen to know where she is at right now?”
[20:16:28] Ariene T: heard the lock clicking and turned to see Leon. She looked back and forth between him and Luna "Wh-What's going on here!?" she called out in confusion.
[20:17:22] Leon J: smiles gently.
[20:18:00] Tonberry S: shakes his head. "I'm afraid not. But...considering the uncultured cad I just delt with, forgive me for a moment." Not an instand passes when Slasher zips over to Luna's guest and immediately slices his ankles, keeping 50% of them still attached to the bone. "'Ere we go. Can't have you running around like a stray pussy...Nari be excused."
[20:19:13] Luna A: “I suppose I wouldn’t mind waiting for her then. As for you,” she looked towards the now collapsed Ariene, “you have unfortunately taken a step into the last place you will enter.”
[20:20:49] Ariene T: screams out at the sudden pain of being crippled to the floor "Ahhh!" she cried out and collapsed to the floor, eyes wide at the tonberry "What the- no! What!?" she couldn't get her bearings at all, her sword falling to the floor.
[20:21:02] Nari N: walks toward the crippled intruder. Looking around, she glances at Leon. "What's going on?"
[20:21:20] Leon J: "She is for Lady Ceana?" Leon muttered, looking down at the human with disgust. "I hope she will be to my MIstress's standards... Adventurer's stink." Leon huffed, glaring at the blood spreading across the floor and then glaring daggers into Areine as if it was her fault for making a mess.
[20:22:07] Tonberry S: looks at Ariene. "Since it seems you'll be with us a bit...would you care for some refreshments? I assume you'll be starting to get thirsty aaaany moment, and Nari here is in charge of our kitchen. What do ya say?"
[20:22:18] Ariene T: picked her sword back upand started to swing it feebly at the people surroundng her "Get back! All of you!"
[20:22:19] Tonberry S: Tonberry S.Hyperion gently pats Ariene T.Lamia.
[20:22:44] Ceana R: shakily comes out of the private rooms, her cape singed. She gives her bustiea a firm tug as she pulled herself together after seeing a fireball so close to her body, "Everyone, I am glad to see you have dispatchted the intruders." The vampire stalked forward, her beaming red eyes casting a soul piercing stare at the elezen on the floor.
[20:22:51] Leon J: bows politely.
[20:23:52] Luna A: gave a nod. “Much as I wish I could have brought better prey, this one happened to be caught on my ice so to speak.” SHe looked towards Nari to answer her question. “The escaped prey from the other night called for an investigation, they brought some adventurers along. We are the two adventurers.” At the appearance of Ceana, she turned to face her hopefully mother. “Ah, glad to see you untarried.”
[20:25:24] Leon J: looks over as his Mistress appeared and immediately bow. "Mistress..." He greeted before taking his place by her side, noticing the slight burn to her cape. He would ask later to avoid putting her in an embarrassing position.
[20:26:32] Ariene T: panted quietly as she watched the blood draining quickly from her sliced ankles. As Ceana approached, she threatened her with the sword, but she was shaking both from fear and blood loss at this point. She looked faint "You... You're all working together...?" she asked weakly "What is this...?"
[20:29:40] Tonberry S: sighed, saddened by the rudeness of his fellow groundwalkers. Rapidly extracting his chef's knife, he instantly frees poor Ariene of the burdens of her right hand's fingers, extracting a hankerchief soon after as her blade chatters to the floor. "Come now m'lady. Manners? How would you like it if someone pointed a knife at you?" He turns to Ceana. "Forgive mer mistress. Shes...uncultured."
[20:30:44] Ariene T: Ariene T.Lamia looks at Tonberry S.Hyperion in shock!
[20:31:00] Tonberry S: Tonberry S.Hyperion consoles Ariene T.Lamia.
[20:32:03] Nari N: moved towards Ceana, relieved to see the groups head. "Lady Ceana, what's happening? A knight barged into the kitchen and attacked me!"
[20:34:22] Ceana R: growled with fury, barely able to maintain her composure as she stepped forward. Her gloved hands ripped off the elezen's helmet and tossed it to the side with such fury that it collapsed in on itself like a soda can, "WHEN ARE MORE COMING, YOU FUCKING TRASH?" she brought a hand to her lips, where she bit at her glove, yanking her hand free so it more readily grasped the lone elezen by the hair. The vampire's pale fingers roughly threaded through the adventurer's strands til she held them >
[20:34:30] Ceana R: them firmly and pulled his face to match her intimidating gaze, "According to the warrant, they are here to arrest a Tonberry for murder.
[20:35:56] Leon J: fades into the background, quietly half-listening to the conversations and exchanges until needed again. His eyes quiet gaze at the mutilated Elezen with the smallest of satisfied smile. That’s right. Fucking suffer. Leon’s black eyes silently glimmered with a self-serving hate.
[20:37:00] Luna A: almost felt sorry for the young adventurer. Almost. Unfortunately, her fate was sealed the moment she showed up to help with the investigation. “She’s the last of them Ceana, I kept her outside for a bit to spread out the squadron somewhat. And to bring her in as my sacrifice to you. No other adventurers responded to the call, though once these knights fail to return I’m sure there will be many more to come.” She spoke calmly, now seeing the full fury of the leader of the house.
[20:38:49] Ariene T: stared at her mangled hand as her sword fell away. She didn't even get a chance to react before the creature had sliced right through her again. When the woman approached her and picked her up by force to interrogate her, she was too terrified to fight back anymore "I-I don't know." she whined quietly "I-I'm not a knight, they didn't tell me anything, please, I'm just here for a job, I don't know what this is, I won't say anything to anybody, I promise, please." she quietly begged,>
[20:39:01] Ariene T: > starting to tear up quickly.
[20:42:40] Tonberry S: pats Ariene's thigh reassuringly. "Now now...no use meeting Halone with tears and trembles. Are you going to die? Yes. Is it gonna be slow? Probably. is it gonna be painful? We've already established that. But, answer our questions..and we promise you we'll...we.....uh..." Slahser suddenly looks to Leon and nari. "Gods...this one's literally fucked...I mean..shes literally got nothing to live for..." He turns back to Ariene. "On second thought..you...You do you. If you need to cry...do it."
[20:43:34] Nari N: moves over to the wall, leaning against it to rest as the more experienced handle any further killing.
[20:44:54] Ariene T: Ariene T.Lamia weeps in sorrow before Tonberry S.Hyperion.
[20:45:06] Tonberry S: Tonberry S.Hyperion weeps in sorrow before Ariene T.Lamia.
[20:47:36] Ceana R: stood up, releasing the elezen's hair, and turned to face the group, "Everyone, we will be leaving. Pack everything essential. If you don't have anything to pack, then help our tonberry pack the precious grimoires and magical items." The vampire turned to Luna, "Luna, I accept your sacrifice, and I will be taking the sigil when the time allows. For now, I need you to go to Arahnea and help her find a way to get out from the tunnels." Ceana then looked down at Nari and Leon, "You two, >
[20:48:52] Ceana R: please lock this filth in the dungeon. I will deal with them later. For now, I need to go secure several carriages for us to leave." The vampire was quiet for a moment as she replaced the glove on her bare hand, "Luna, please explain to Arahnea what occured when you help you evacuate. Does anyone have any questions? Before I leave?"
[20:49:51] Ceana R: typoe correction: you help Arahnea evacuate. Does anyone have any questions? Before I leave?"
[20:52:43] Tonberry S: has no more, but graciously bows to Ceana for the consideration of helping to preserve the library;s many treasures.
[20:52:49] Luna A: gave a nod, “If you could bring a covered carriage to one of Arah’s tunnel exits in the western highlands, that would help greatly in evacuating her true body out of here.” She made to leave towards Arah’s tunnels. “If I may, I’ll bring my things back after informing Arahnea and come in the carriages with you. Or tell me the location and I can find you when I’m able to make my own escape.”
[20:53:16] Leon J: watched with absolute apathy. They will die because they are weak and lack the will to live. They’re no survivor and they probably deserved it anyway. Fucking monster. His attention was snapped back to reality as Lady Ceana spoke to him. “Right away, Mistress. Although... if left like this, Mistress, they will die of blood loss before you can have a bite.” He said, glancing to his Mistress before giving a quick bow of his head. He moved to the dying adventurer. “Lady Nari, can you>
[20:53:17] Ceana R: Ceana R.Hyperion nods to Luna A..
[20:53:30] Leon J: grab the arms? I’ll get the legs.” He said, reaching down and grabbing the Elezen by the ankle, gripping the open wound with intent to inflict pain as he yanked their legs up.
[20:54:22] Nari N: quickly moves to help Leon, grabbing the intruder by the legs and lifting. "On your lead, Leon."
[20:54:26] Ariene T: screamed out toward the door when Leon grabbed her "HELP! HELP ME! THEY'RE GOING TO KILL ME! They're go..." it was then that the rapid loss of blood finally caught up to Ariene, and her voice left her mid-word as she passed out on the floor.
[20:56:23] Tonberry S: scratched his head. "...poor lass. I'm sure your deeds in life we'rent deserving of this. But..are not those the proverbial lemons ever dropping at our feet.." He shook his head and stretched. "And now...to carefully remove all my precious milf po....err..magical tomes and books! MUST preserve them, yes." He turns to the library.
[20:57:03] Arahnea A: emerged from the tunnels, her au ra puppet glancing about the room expecting to find havoc and disorder... "I take it everyone already knows about the knights... Oh well."
[20:58:43] Nari N: grips the strangers legs tightly, doing her best to lift her. "To the dungeons, then?" She glanced at Leon, awaiting his lead. She did her best not to feel sympathy for the intruder, despite her cries. It was HER choice to attack them.
[21:02:07] Ceana R: called out to Arahnea, "Luna will fill you in. I have to leave and get the money for carriages and a new home." The vampire cooly spun on her heal, her cape flying in the wind as she walked with purpose to the door, "My precious daughters, please be careful until we are all safe. I will return shortly." And with that, she stepped out into the now dark night, pulling out her linkpearl to call a particular voidsent male.
[21:02:42] Luna A: was intercepted by the Au’Ra. It took a moment for her to recognize the puppet of Arahnea, but she realized it before passing her. “We should be getting a carriage or two to the western highlands to evacuate your true form, along with anything else that can’t be seen by the public. Any puppet you can control without raising suspicion can likely follow out in the carriages with the rest of the daughters and servants.” She was mildly frantic, but started to calm herself. “I myself>
[21:02:50] Luna A: <will be making a final trip to my room at the Forgotten Knight to fetch your vessel along with Freia’s mammet. And a couple extra personal effects.”
[21:03:28] Leon J: side-glanced the Tonberry as he spoke with disagreement on his face. “...” No, they had definitely deserved it. He looked over his shoulder as Lady Arahnea’s puppet came forth. He was confused by this... Why was she using her puppets...? Didn’t Arahnea have a human body of her own now? He looked back to Nari and nodded. “Yes, let’s go.” He gave Nari a gentle smile and they made their way past the Au Ra puppet, down to the dungeons. Ceana hadn’t given him a reply for the >
[21:03:39] Leon J: bleeding out Elezen but he supposed they could just leave it to die in the dungeons. Why not?
[21:05:19] Arahnea A: raised a brow, "Huh... I see. Well... That's... Sudden. All of my puppets can be brought anywhere, really. Well, except my newest. I don't know how well the knight will fare. He will need a new outfit at the very least."
[21:06:26] Tonberry S: heads back into the library, mumbling something about Heat missing her last therapy session for reasons unknown.
[21:07:45] Luna A: “Can likely find something in your collection to throw onto him. As for any wounds incurred in his puppetting, here,” she handed the puppet a couple of cartridges obviously meant for healing. A talent that seemed to be coming quite in handy as of late. “If there’s anything I can do to help, let me know, otherwise I should make that trip as soon as possible to avoid suspicion.”
[21:10:25] Arahnea A: "I suppose..." She took the cartridges in hand and looked up in confusion. "What... What happened? You know what... Nevermind. Doesn't matter. It's not surprising that I don't know. I've spent the past few days exclusively in the tunnels after all..."
[21:12:26] Luna A: “I don’t know all of the details myself. I do know that the Tonberry made a slight mess of someone poking around where they shouldn’t have been a few nights back. Probably someone who knew them called for an investigation. They put out a call for adventurers to join the investigators. Thankfully I saw it and was able to distract the other adventurer that responded until the rest of the knights became occupied.”
[21:15:14] Arahnea A: "I see. Well... I'll go on and assemble my puppets. Not like I have much to take with me. You... seem frazzled though moonlight. Still, time is of the essence as you say. Go on. Hopefully there is a cart large enough for me."

[21:19:37] Luna A: took a few deep breaths, trying to calm herself. Freia was quiet, but there was still that cool pulsing in the back of her head to let her know she was there and ready in case of danger. “Sorry, a lot happening very quickly, and I’d rather not lose the connections I do have to this dark world. Hold up the carriage for me, I’d prefer to ride with you as well as let you know your vessel is secure, I hopefully shouldn’t be long.”
[21:23:22] Arahnea A: stepepd forward, the puppet wrapping its arms around Luna's waist for a few moments. "Of course. I'll keep it however long you need to reach us."

• Back

Leaving Ishgard

Luna walked briskly through Ishgard, the cold not even noting in her own mind. She had gotten to the forgotten knight without issue or question. Thankfully the investigation was meant to be done quietly and they didn't bother to take her name down as being a part of it. Of course, getting Arahnea's vessel out was a different issue.
Freia's mammet and her bag of blank cartridges was easy, but a body was a different story. The tavernkeep knew she had a room at the inn, so using her being drunk and taking her home likely wouldn't work. And carrying a very still body would look suspicious no matter what. Well, princess carrying the body was better than nothing at least. Own up to the fact she had a body and hopefully no one would ask questions. She certainly got some stares, but no one stopped and asked her about anything, even though it was extremely early in the morning by now. Not that she had slept a wink all night.
It wasn't long before she was back at shadowgate. "I suppose this manor was not meant to be my home. May you stay a safe haven for a little while longer." She gave a knock on the door, hoping that one of her friend's puppets would be the one to answer.The small au ra mage puppet from before had been upstairs, casually reading whilst waiting. A sudden knock at the door which was... strange to say the least but this had been a strange few days. She stood up slowly, closing her book with a loud snap and stepping toward the door. The small, blue eyed, raven haired xaela opened the door and looked up.
"Oh. Luna you're..." She saw the body carried by the viera and the normally unexpressive, emotionless mask the puppet wore... melted away like wax to a flame. If the puppet were capable of crying, it would have. She reached a hand forward and traced her fingers along the motionless hyur's cheek... then snapped her gaze back to Luna. "Come in, I have everything that I was told to bring with me near the highlands exit. My remaining puppets are there besides this one. I am in the tunnels, I'll carry everything to the exit."Luna gave a nod, seeing the solemn look on the puppet's face. "I apologize for your vessel becoming somewhat gaunt. There is only so much Aether I can funnel into an inactive body, given my unfamiliarity with magecraft." She continued to delicately carry the vessel, adjusting her bag of blanks as Freia exited the bag.
"Full glad am I to be out of that stuffy place, and actually able to talk freely. Hopefully wherever we're going has less superstitious people." She was grumbling, but the face of the mammet remained as lifeless as ever. Luna didn't take the time to look back at her, trusting the mammet to keep up as she followed the puppet into the tunnels.The house was hauntingly silent and far more empty. The tunnels though were very much the same, save for several burned out torches and braziers. The massive form of the spider was sat near the entrance, as she heard the steps approaching she looked up. A soft chittering clicked in her throat. The puppet spoke for her, "I will take my body. You may ride atop my back."
The spider crouched low as she could to the ground, holding out her arms for Luna to drop off the hyur body to her. "I thank you for your efforts in taking care of my body... I will take it from here though."Even though she knew what was down here, the sheer size of Arah's true form was still a surprise each time she saw it. Placing the body gently into the puppet's arms, she brought Freia to her shoulder and climbed atop of the spider's chitinous body. She didn't wish to comment about effectively riding the spider like a chocobo though. These were exceptional times, and measures needed to be taken to get out as efficiently as they could.
"The carriage should already be there, I hope Ceana was able to get a large enough one for your body. And a driver that doesn't ask questions." SHe was unsure of the details of that. But, worst case scenario, the driver could become a travel snack while a puppet drove the carriage.The puppet transferred the hyur body to the spiders arms. Arahnea held the body like it was the most delicate, prized treasure she could imagine. She lifted it up and gently nuzzled against the motionless hyur's cheek, then cradled the body in one arm and placed her free hand upon its chest. A soft, humming sounded for a few moments as the spider transferred aether to the body, like charging a battery.
She did note the... immensely foreign sensation of someone on her back... There had not been a single soul that had ever done so before. The au ra puppet joined Luna on the spiders back and held onto the vieras waist as Arahnea stood up and began making her way down the tunnels.
Surprisingly enough, it was... quite a smooth ride. The spider had uncanny control of her body and equilibrium, her arachnid body holding quite still despite her many legs quickly travelling towards the exit. The puppet spoke, "I've never asked but... where exactly are we going? No one has told me yet, just that I am to get on a carriage."Having looked for a decent point to grasp herself, Luna was pleasantly surprised by how smooth the ride was. Though, it made sense given the fact a humanoid upper body was a part of it. "Ceana didn't mention the where we were going. If I had to wager a guess, one of the other city states in the Eorzean Alliance. Though La Noscea can be ruled out because a ferry would be nigh impossible to get who and what we need across. And Gridania's nature spirits would likely make settling there quite difficult. Which leaves us with the two deserts of Ul'Dah or Ala Mhigo." She said it painfully, knowing that neither of them particularly liked the heat. "However, given the tumultuous state of Ala Mhigo, and the urgency of the situation, my bet would be on Ul'Dah."Arahnea stopped dead in her tracks.
"ARRRE... YOOOU... FFFUCKIIING KIDDIIING MEEE...?" The spider let out a loud, deep growling sigh as the puppet spoke. "Would it be so bad to stay here? The knights proved to be pathetic combatants, I'm sure we could wipe them out with ease if it came down to it?"
Notably Arahnea did not make to start moving again. She remained stock still, her long white hair swaying with her breath in front of her face.That was about the reaction she was anticipating. "I don't like it either, trust me. And no, we can't stay here. As easy as the knights are to defeat, the fact is that they would come at us en masse and it would be impossible to lure more. Not to mention if the actually knightly ones among them step in, we're not long for this world. By leaving now, we keep our identities from being known and the chance to have a grace period enough to set up somewhere else."
She took a sigh herself. "Let's keep moving for now. Once I have my own room in the manor situated, you can dig a tunnel directly into it. I'll make sure it's always nice and cold and on the ground floor. Or in the basement."The spider visibly shuddered in anger for a few moments, a series of deep, heaving growls escaping her maw... as she suddenly lashed her left arm out to the side, shattering the stalactite near her and her fist further crushing into the stone wall, cracking the solid stone immensely. It would seem that... someone was displeased by the thought of returning to Ul'dah and was having something of a temper tantrum.
She did, however, begin moving again yet remained silent the rest of the way. She had had such a horrific time when she was there last she at least had the saving grace of not having to go back... until now. Now that she would be bloody LIVING there... There was no escape.
It took a fair bit to reach the exit, though eventually the traces of frost and snow could be seen in the tunnel as they neared the exit. Several figures were waiting, whatever luggage already loaded up into a rather large carriage.Luna remained silent for the remainder of the stride to the carriage as well, knowing that just about anything she said would likely be met with anger of their destination. Once at the carriage, she gracefully dismounted, offering to help the puppet if it needed it. "Well, at least the carriage is large enough for you." She didn't know how it was intended to be driven, but that wasn't her concern for the time being. Right now, she needed to focus on getting everything secured and her friend safe. She walked up to the luggage compartment and looked for a place to put her own bag, enjoying her last few breaths of fresh winter air for what would likely be a long time indeed.Within the carriage, luggage, crates, totes and bags were stored away. Several benches at the side for seating and a large open interior floor area. The carriage itself had a large canopy and sealable openings in the front and back for privacy. Four Draught Chocobos were harnessed to the front of it, each one in warming coats. The rather large breed of the horse birds were bred exclusively for pulling large loads such as this.
All told, five puppets, one viera, one hyur body, a rather large cocoon and one spider were all that boarded. The driver seemed to be a man that gave no heed to his passengers or cargo, the man himself wearing a thick winter coat, hood up and mask upon his face. It would seem the driver would of no concern.
The carriage shifted and creaked loudly as the massive spider boarded and then settled as much as she could, laying down and nestling her legs in close. She personally held the cocoon and hyur body close to her like they were fragile, irreplaceable treasures.
The puppets themselves all piled in, one au ra female, one elezen female, two roegadyns one male and one female, and one miqo'te. Arahnea left specific room near the front of her by her humanoid torso for Luna once she boarded.Her own luggage, however little it was, secured, Luna took a seat next to her friend, placing her Gunblade against the side of the carriage and doing her best to relax in the chair. "Well, at least we're out safe." She seemed to be half saying it to herself as she leaned slightly against the chitin of Arah. "And I get to ride with my dewdrop."
There were too many thoughts racing through her mind, too many looses ends that would need to be tied off. Not to mention her sister being left behind. But she didn't have the chance to address those yet. She had to make sure she and those immediately threatened by the situation she cared about were safe."If you don't mind, I'll leave directing the driver to you, moonlight." The au ra puppet spoke up a bit for that. Arahnea herself had her own issue, that being her loss of contact with Pyria... Arahnea knew the woman's linkpearl address and frequency by heart but still did not have one of her own to do anything with that knowledge. She would have to see about getting one...
"I assume the driver knows his destination already, at least I hope so." The puppet cast her gaze to one of the crates, she hoped she had packed the things that mattered... Not her own things, mind you. But a certain large friend of hers... She had packed what she knew to be of importance to the woman and further things she... /thought/ were of importance... Hoping she at least did a somewhat good job of it she shrugged. "Right, well... let's... journey unto the damned desert..."
The spider was so... utterly, entirely, unbelievably non-plussed and unenthused about this...Giving a nod,, Luna stood up to knock at the front of the carriage. "We're good to head out now!" She let the driver know, taking a seat once more before the carriage lurched into motion. It was a far less stable ride, going over the rocky highlands. It was going to be a long journey, especially given the need for them to dodge checkpoints that she hoped the driver was familiar with. He seemed the shady sort though, so it shouldn't be a problem.
"If anything, we're the ones condemning it," she grinned a little as she did what she could to get comfortable in her sitting position, eventually ending up mostly lying on the bench with her back propped against her friend. "But, hopefully my dewdrop won't evaporate on me just from being there." She brought a hand to gently caress the chitin, doing what she could to soothe the spider. "I for one am just hoping we don't have to go through this again any time soon.""I find it amusing that of everyone to fuck up so horridly, it was Ceana. To let someone escape... it's unforgivable." The spider set down the cocoon and hyur body gently. Despite the bumpy ride, the humanoid half of her body remained fairly consistently still as she reached a hand behind her, one of the puppets reaching into a bag and pulling out a pair of metal knitting needles and a large spool of thick thread, presumably her own and then handed it all to the spiders outstretched hand.
"Regardless, I'm not happy about this. The location, at least. Well... hopefully a new location will allow me more freedom of movement. I am intent on making this new location in its entirety my den, I'll be damned if I am trapped into the bowels of the underground any longer... I've gotten too used to the outside, to the sun, to the moon, the sky... I will not spend any further time confined in the dark needlessly."
The spider then began clicking and clacking the knitting needles deftly in an attempt to distract herself from the dark thoughts she had of the place she was going...Luna arched an eyebrow at the knitting needles, but chose not to comment. "Doesn't matter who's fault it is, as ironic as it is the protector is the one who made the manor unsafe. Still causes the same result. And reinforces why not to let prey out of one's sight." She sighed deeply, finally starting to relax now. "I look forward to what you are able to do with your new den, and would happily offer my room as being a part of it. Well, my eventual room. Given how Ceana made mention of getting Freia's sigil at a more opportune time, our membership with the daughters is all but secured. Still need to talk to Heat though and get her approval."
She had thankfully been diligent and secured the favor of most of the daughters prior to their escape. And given that close proximity, she could count herself lucky for being a part of the evacuation and not left in the dust like some of their other acquaintances. "The guards in Ul'Dah are known for being easily bribed, shouldn't be too difficult for you to create all manner of exits to your tunnels through Thanalan as long as you keep the populated areas well-hidden. If Ceana is sourcing carriages for such a distance this easily, she likely has the money to assist with that.""I've never truly thought about where her resources come from. I've just accepted it. Not that it's ever really mattered to me seeing as I've never truly owned much. That isn't exactly relevant though." The needles continued their rhythmic clicking, "I can only hope things go smoothly from here on though..."
The spider turned 4 of her eyes to the cocoon... "Well, as for Heat... I am sure you will... eventually... have your time to speak to her. She can be sneaky. A bit underhanded at times... Oh, and one bit of advice... be cautious of any food or drink she may hand you. She is a deeply caring person underneath all of the lascivious activities. She is the one other person I trust here besides you. There is an... interesting rapport we have grown to have. Just know I care for her dearly. Even if she is a little stubborn ass sometimes."
The spider seemed to... smile to herself as the puppet spoke. "I wonder if they make a sewing apparatus that I would be able to use..."

Luna glanced to the cocoon as well, presuming but not noting. "I will keep that in mind. If you two share a good kinship, then I doubt it would be difficult to attain her approval of my joining. With any luck I can get it before I next meet Ceana."
At the comment of sewing apparatuses, Luna gave a shrug. "I'm certainly not knowledgeable in that, but the weaver's guild is located in Ul'Dah. They obviously wouldn't have something specifically tailored for you, but I wouldn't be surprised if we could find an unscrupulous entrepreneur willing to turn a blind eye to the source of their silk in exchange for a modified loom. Money rules all in that city after all." She thought back to any connections she might have, but they were rather sparse. She had to keep her connections light as she needed to remain mobile until she found the daughters. "Regardless, it would be worth getting to know others in Ul'Dah and try to make business relations with those we can. Much as I enjoy Ceana's patronage and protection, I often worry how she sources her income if she seems to perpetually be scraping by."The spider froze for a moment. "There is a... weavers guild in Ul'dah...? I could... reasonably be able to exchange my silk for a loom and such of my own...?" The spider's expression grew... odd. A mix of monstrous confusion, relief, amazement and tearful joy. The au ra puppet even began speaking with emotion. "I... I could... Do more than simply idle my time away reading and... waiting...? I've read a mountains worth of books on... sewing... and... f-fashion... d-do you think I could... have an actual purpose here? Beyond just... existing?"Luna gave a nod. "Quite likely. You'd want to tone down the durability of your silk for general use, lest people get suspicious of its origin. But the weaver's guild is almost always looking for more artisans. I hear the guild-master is the odd kind, so any half-hearted excuse of why you can't sew at the guild itself should work if you can make it sound necessary for the art of it." She was glad to give her friend some degree of purpose. "And since I probably shouldn't be as active an adventurer once I'm part of the daughters, I wouldn't mind acting as a representative of your crafts. I can be the one who finds the merchants for your wares, get you commissions, that sort of thing. Would be a far better way to occupy my time than mindlessly patrolling for property and people I don't care about in the slightest."
She smiled warmly, though in her position it would be difficult to catch it. "And hey, even if we can't get your sewing to market, I myself would be heartbroken if I couldn't try out your handiwork."The spider turned her head to face Luna... her face somehow flushed red extending even to her ears. Her eight silver eyes look at, then away, then back at the viera over and over. Her expression was wholly unidentifiable, yet she seemed to be both overjoyed and embarrassed piled into one package. "That... would make me happy. B-but I would prefer to have some actual practice at it before hand though..."
The spider began clacking the needles together again with an odd inhuman level of precision and speed, as if the whole act was something innate to her. Arahnea had been searchign for some sort of purpose beyond being a monster that simply existed to devour and destroy. She was ashamed to admit it but she had always deep down wanted a purpose. This whole thing seemed like an utter ray of hope in her strange existence.
Maybe Ul'dah wouldn't be so bad."Of course, practice all you'd like, though don't be afraid to show me your progress. Cruel as most mortals can be, I'd like to think we have enough trust between the two of us to be constructive rather than derogatory." Her smile grew a bit at the blushing expression on her friend's face. "I probably need to find a new line of work as well. What I'm not sure, but I'd rather not end up in a similar position you were stuck in until you got your vessel."
She wasn't sure what she could really do. Adventuring, guarding, and the occasional consort work was all she was really decent at. Perhaps there would be a skill she could develop though once she was settled in somewhere and no longer focused on putting food on the table. After all, her new diet meant there was always food within a short distance."I'm sure you can find something. Like you said, you could always work with me, it's not as if I know enough about business to speak to merchant and other kinds of dealers. I wish I had better answers but I do not know all that much of uldah. Truly I know precious little about the place." Arahnea paused for a moment. Heavens she really knew nothing of this place... then shrugged and continued weaving her length of fabric.
The journey would take roughly a day. Stopping twice to give the birds pulling the carriage a rest. Enough time for the spider to knit a lengthy sheav of... unimaginably soft fabric. As her work ended she would find herself closing her eyes and... eventually slowly nodding her head. She did not often sleep, for such a thing left you utterly defenseless. More often than not she simply rested in a semi-trance that let her still observe the world around her. But this time, the spider seemed to fully nod off... clearly comfortable enough with her current company to do so. She would wake with a start from time to time when the carriage hit a particularly large bump... as well as once she began drifting off that uncanny sense of balance also waned, her humanoid torso swaying bobbing with the motion of the carriage.The journey was mostly uneventful for Luna, talking with the driver on occasion at their breaks, or making small talk with Arah. She also enjoyed the feeling of the fabric on her skin, such soft silk and she knew it would be a near replacement for armor. Perhaps she should ask Arah to make her an outfit purely for protection from this. It was ice aspected as well, she should be able to utilize it to enhance her powers. Or at least stop her from freezing off her own shirt.
She looked over as they were getting close to Ul'Dah, going through northern Thanalan. She had taken to watching Arah sleeping, finding it cute how she slowly became more and more relaxed as she recognized she was safe. And she was, Luna didn't want to see any harm come to her friend, and presumed the same would happen in reverse. Of course, once they were past the gate and into the city proper, she gave a slight nudge towards the spider to see if she was lightly sleeping or if she should be left to rest more.Arahnea stirred from her rest slowly, having gotten used to the rocking of the carriage. She looked around for a few moments as if she had forgotten where she was... A low, sleepy hiss escaping her maw. "Shhhshhshhh..." The au ra puppet perked up, it's voice not matching the tired tone that Arahnea would have likely exhibited. "Hm? What is it? Are we there?" Arahnea herself opened her horrific maw wiiide, her jaw splitting and cracking loudly as let out a loud growling yawn from a mouth capable of devouring a grown man in seconds.
"Scratch that... I can tell... We are definitely close..." At that arahnea had already begun to note the heat difference. "Damn it all... I had hoped to never come back here. The damned inferno of a city...""They don't call their guard the immortal flames without due reason after all," Luna concentrated a bit, bringing down the temperature of the carriage significantly with Freia's cold aura. "That should help a bit, though I can't sustain it forever. Well, without food of the mortal kind that is." She smiled a bit as she shifted off of the chitinous form. "We entered the city limits just a little while ago. If Ceana managed to get us a house already, we should be in the goblet within a few more minutes. Not quite sure how we're going to get you out of the carriage though in the middle of the day.""Am... Am I meant to just sit in this sweltering heat until nightfall...? Guh... Already starting off on a horrid note... I swear... I swear I'll put this 'guard'... This 'Immortal Flames'... I put their name to the test, so help me. I'll see how immortal they are once night falls and I can walk free..." It was clear Arahnea was getting agitated. Beyond agitated, as she clearly was already planning a rampage on the Goblet.
Rather than make her whiny and lazy like it did to the hyur body, it would seem the heat /enraged/ and aggravated the spider body. The spider let out a chittering hiss, clearly very ready to be out of the carriage.The light from the windows of the carriage dimmed, before it finally came to a stop. "I'm not about to complain for the shade, but I figured we'd be farther into the goblet than this." She stood up and opened the door of the carriage to go talk with the driver briefly. After a moment, she returned. "Well,, seems whoever is sponsoring our little exodus set us up with a nice place. You're safe to come out, we're in an alcove of a tunnel near the new manor by the looks of it." She was partially relieved that they weren't going to have to wait just to get Arah's true form inside somewhere. Even if she was ticked off by the lack of information.The irritated spider waited for her puppets behind her to file out of the carriage, standing to the side as she herself backed up out of it. Powerful arachnid legs clacked against the stone pavement and the stuffy air of the tunnel made her eight eyes water. The bright daylight hurt her eyes even from the entrance of the tunnel, it took her several moments to adjust... As the spider then silently turned toward the exit of the tunnels...
She chittered softly to herself as she stepped towards those rays of sunlight and stepped out into the open, heedless of any consequences or possible onlookers. The spider stepped out into the bright sun and stared up at the sky for a few moments then almost as if she had lost feeling in her many legs, she collapsed down onto the unbearably hot sunbaked stone pavement. She held her head in her taloned hands and shook, shoulders heaving as she took sharp inhaled breaths and shaky, rasped exhales.
She had been outside momentarily in the highlands, yes... but the sunless skies of coerthas were nothing... Nothing to this creature that had never seen the sun with her own, personal, original eight eyes... Should she have been capable of it in this body, she would have weeped. Fifty-seven years in the darkness and her first time seeing the sunlight, the blue sky, feeling the wind on her skin... To this monster that had spent every conscious moment since coming to this place in the darkness of the underground caverns and tunnels... She could not contain herself, an eleven feet tall void horror fallen to the ground and pathetically mimicking joyous despair.Luna followed, being sure to grab her gunblade in case any witnesses needed to be taken care of. But, by the time she caught up, her friend was already weeping at the mere sight of the sky. She wasn't sure what to do, what she could do. So she decided to reach up and gently pet her friend's back. "This is our new home. We can probably use these existing tunnels as the start of your new network." She debated about musing for a way to give her more time in this sight that obviously brought her a sense of freedom.Arahnea took several sharp, hissing inhales... then got to her feet and crept to the edge of the stone fencing near the gorge that served as a limit for the ward. She peered over the edge, clearly thinking of... simply crawling over it and down... then out of sight. She could just leave... Right now. Who could stop her? She could... She could just... go.
Arahnea turned back and looked at Luna, then at the tunne; she had exited from where she knew her other body and... someone else slumbered. She turned back to look at the gorge a second time, as if weighing her options. She turned once more to Luna, her jaw clicking and chittering in thought. The spider wrapped her around around herself and gave her monstrous version of a sigh and quietly spoke, "Anotherrr timmme... Anotherrr lllifffe... perhapsss..."
She then slowly crept her way back to the tunnels, pausing for a few moments at the threshold to them... simply standing there.Luna could see the gears turning in the spider's head. She didn't intervene until she seemed to have made her choice. "I swear upon, well I don't know what I have left to swear upon anymore but I promise you we'll find a way for you to experience the sky more while in your true form." She went into the tunnel herself, wanting to grab her own bag. "Welcome to the new shadowgate, you aren't going to be able to leave, because now I can keep you here as well." She let out a smirk as she started to click her heels down the tunnel path.Arahnea simply stared at Luna from the threshold of the tunnels. She chittered quietly for a moment as her eight eyes blinked several times in unison. Did... Did Luna just... She fucking did.
Arahnea quickly wove several strands of soft, pure silk and bound them together into a small ball and threw it at Luna's center of mass. Not hard, the throw nor the ball itself. But whether it connected or not arahnea would step into the tunnels and speak quietly, "Nnnot... Fffunnyyy..." Was she... pouting? The void horror herself, pouting at her own words being used against her.
Arahnea grabbed her hyur body gently and the cocoon with it, carrying them with her to wherever the entrance to the house was.Luna broke out in that icy laugh of hers. Cold as her tone was, it was still genuine and kind. "Oh, it's quite funny dewdrop. But, for what it's worth, I'd rather be stuck with you than wandering alone." She helped one of the puppets with an extra piece of Luggage as Freia's mammet quietly floated behind them.
The manor itself was nondescript, which was probably a good thing for them. There were plenty of trees to block line of sight into even the yard. It also looked as though it were rather well kept. "Well then, I guess gardening is going to be added on to Leon's chore list." She opened the gate into the yard and walked up to the door, hoping that it would be unlocked for them still.Arahnea was... surprised at the size of the doorway. She honestly had not been sure how she was going to get in, she had half expected to need to dig in and still somewhat did.
Were they the first ones there? The door was unlocked so presumably Ceana had this place prepared beforehand... Strange but convenient. Arahnea waited for Luna to enter... then lowered herself a bit and crept her way in... only for her arachnid abdomen to get stuck at its widest point in the doorway.
Arahnea paused, half in the house and half stuck in the doorway. She growled and looked down at Luna, praying the viera didn't notice as she quickly /squeezed/ through the doorway. the wood of the frame creaking a bit as she forced her chitin armored posterior through it and inside.The place was still relatively empty, though there were some basic furnishings in the foyer. "Well, if others beat us here, it seems they're in their own places. Probably best to wait for Ceana to call a meeting or some such? I'm not quite used to the run of the mill with the daughters." She looked behind her to see the small struggle but quickly looked back forward to save Arah the embarrassment.
Once she heard the creaking stop, she turned to face the spider woman. "Well, it's not like we have a tunnel entrance for you, and I doubt a room was reserved for me. So, where would you like to place your things?"
Arahnea looked around... examining the halls and stairways... all surprisingly large and sturdy. She should be able to move around this place without a great amount of trouble... As for where to place her things, Arahnea moved to pick a room relatively out of the way and somewhat isolated from the others, then deposited the cocoon within it as well as her puppets and several crates, bags and boxes that the puppets carried in with them over several trips.

The au ra puppet spoke as the other worked. "I am going to deposit everything in what I will assume will become Heat's room for now. As for everything else... I will leave that up to the others. They can room wherever they wish. As for YOU, just claim a room. You'll have one anyway, so what's the harm in it?"Luna gave a shrug. "I suppose you're right, I'm effectively one of the daughters at this point. Almost feels weird to say it. Just a couple weeks ago I was begging to understand the voidsent within me, and now she's an integral part of my identity with a very different diet and social circles." As she said it, it felt almost normal, even though it really shouldn't. "More differences to get used to I suppose," she mused to herself as she took a look around.
She ended up looking around in the basement area. It seemed like the larger rooms would be good for the bar or a dungeon of sorts, but there were also a few smaller rooms. Opening a door to find a bedroom with only the most basic of furnishings, she decided to claim it as hers with the bag of blank cartridges. "That'll work," she noted to Freia as the two returned to the main hall. "Found a room in the basement that should stay relatively cool, especially once Freia has some fun with it. Also should be on the edge of the foundations, so you can tunnel straight to it without too much trouble.""Mm. I see. Honestly, until the others get here... I am more than content to simply wait in the lower levels of the place... Just where its cooler. I do not know where everyone wishes to place everything and I expect for be hauling things in for a good while... I suppose I'd rather just rest and try to get used to the heat somewhat before I am to become a pack mule."
Arahnea then made her way to the basement... and just absolutely slumped down and groaned loudly, things finally really setting in that she lived in Ul'dah now.
"I'll begin my tunneling later once everyone is settled."Luna followed into the basement, cooling the damp area even further with her own natural aura. "I suppose that is only fair. I just thought I'd offer up that convenience at the very least." She leaned against a bare wall, letting herself finally relax from the trip. "I hope that Heat is awake soon enough for me to get her approval. Though I think it best you're the one who greets her and informs her of the situation, rather than someone she hardly knows exists."
She was still in business mode after all this, perhaps she was too fixated on her goal, but she also needed to secure her place with the daughters as there was little future without it. "Sorry, force of habit to keep my tasks at the front of my mind. Served me well back in the rank and file."The au ra puppet shrugged. "If I knew where Heat was, I would tell you more. But unfortunately I do not. Though when she gets here I will be sure to explain things to her." Arahnea herself tensed slightly...
"Either way, I suggest you just rest while you can because we likely have aa good deal of work moving things into the manor... That being said, come here." The spider slumped against the cool walls, beckoning Luna over to her hoping the viera would rest beside her. She had been feeling the heat more acutely in this body than the hyur body and she had begun noticing it.Luna arched an eyebrow, knowing that there was information being held back. Information she likely already figured out. But, she didn't want to stress her friend out and what she knew in this case was of little importance. Instead, she came to rest against the front of her friend, looking up at her beautiful silver eyes while pushing that cold out around her. "If only every moment could be this peaceful."

• Back

Heat's Approval

[23:14:29] Heat V: sat busily by the crackling fireplace with a series of vials, tubes, potions and strange juices spread out before her. There was a look of deep annoyance upon her face, as if something unbarable was occuring. In her tunnelvisioning way, she'd left the door open, having had to air out the room after a previous explosion. Now, she sat, a reddish pink vial before her face, looking as if it held the secrets of the world. "Coooome on....mommie knows you can do it...juuuust a bit more.."
[23:16:28] Luna A: had been waiting in the common area of the manor for some time now, hoping that Heat would come across her for her to seek their approval of joining the daughters. Unfortunately, they seemed to be the type to keep to themselves. Though contradictory to the statements she had heard about the succubus, it made sense given the unfamiliar situation that all of them were thrust into. It had been long enough of waiting, and she knew Ceana would be asking for Freia’s sigil any moment now.>
[23:16:33] Luna A: She went towards the room that Arah had mentioned she was claiming on behalf of Heat, noticing that the door was open. As she stepped in, she was assaulted by a wave of heat, one that made her skin sizzle from melting frost on her. She called upon Freia to reinforce that aura of cold around them, keeping herself as cool as she always was before entering the room properly. “Apologies for the intrusion, but I was hoping to talk to you. Heat I presume?”
[23:21:10] Heat V: regarded the new arrival for a second. "Hmm...a pleasantly plump bun invades my room at the pinnicle of my research...how refreshingly...ill timed." Heat waves her fingers at the viera in a sweeping motion. "Shoo shoo dear. Your lovely form's blocking mah essential heat! Go go..sit on the bed or something and state your business. I can NOT be interrupted thoroughally at this MOST critical time!" Heat goes back to stirring the vial of red liquid.
[23:24:19] Luna A: couldn’t help from rolling her eyes slightly, but headed towards the bed to take a seat nonetheless. “I’m seeking approval from you to join the daughters, to put it simply. Ceana asked me to get approval of all the current daughters before allowing me membership among your group, and here I am.” Freia’s mammet lifted off of the viera’s shoulder and floated a bit around the room, investigating. “My name is Luna, and the mammet floating around would be Freia. Well, Freia’s>
[23:24:27] Luna A: <mouthpiece, a convenience if not somewhat confusing to some.”
[23:29:14] Heat V: barely heard Luna's words. Her eyes were intensely focused on the vial, stirring it, as if waiting for a reaction of some sort. In a mindless way, she spoke. "...joining the sisterhood? Why? We already have a bunni...a rather skiddish one at that. Having a girl bun'll just have us ending up with an excess of newborn rabbits." Heat lowered her vial a second and stared VERY lewdly at Luna. "...that...IS..what your kind do..hmmm?" There was no malice in her tone, but it was clear she enjoyed >
[23:29:21] Heat V: ruffling people's feathers.
[23:34:10] Luna A: let out a light, skittering laugh, like a caltrop scattering across ice. “I have certainly enjoyed my fair share of intimate experiences. But no, I wouldn’t be taking a similar position to Leon.” It was clear that she wasn’t really ruffled by that comment. “Of course, I doubt I would be asked to seek approval were I to become another slave. No, Freia and I wish to be equals with the rest of the daughters.”>
[23:34:17] Luna A: Freia’s mammet nodded along before she spoke. “It is as she says,” she tone was wispy and frigid, yet somehow devoid of the mechanical noises typically coming from a mammet. “We wish for a place within the daughters and require your approval for that. Besides, someone needs to cool you off on occasion by the looks of it.” If the succubus-shaped mammet could smirk, it would.
[23:39:09] Heat V: raised a brow at the mammet for its comment. "Oh HO...sassy little minion, arentcha?" She sniffed at the pair, then looked back at her vial. Suddenly, as she swirled it around, the reddish pink began to give off an orange glow, as if liquid sunrise itself. Heat nearly wet herself with excitement. "Thal's hairy balls...its..its working!" She wiggled in her seat like a child whod just gotten her favorite toy. After a moment, she steeled herself. "Ok Heat...this is it. Caaaalm down. If this >
[23:42:38] Heat V: works, ill be so stinking rich, I'll buy off every sister in here, that popmos twit Ceana included!." Calmly, Heat tilted her head back, then took juuuust a sip of the clowing liquid. She swished it around in her mouth and slowly swallowed. Soon, her face became awash in pondering. "...blood strawberry. orgasmic blueberry. Sweet. Robust...but....no spicy?" Heat's eyes soon watered. "Whyyyy...why can't I get the spiciness to manifest?! I followed mom  recipie to the T...so why nooot? The >
[23:44:28] Heat V: addition of my phero......wait. Waaaaaait.....!" Suddenly...Heat SHOT Luna a look that was blatantly sexually carnivorous, and unapologetically predatory. In the flash of a second, she lunged out the chair and bounced on the bed behind the gorgeous bun...grabbing her by her shoulders!
[23:44:32] Heat V: Heat V.Hyperion laughs at Luna A..
[23:46:00] Luna A: Freia, on the other hand, seemed far easier to ruffle. “Who’re you calling minion? I’ll have you know I’m the reason the beautiful lady in front of you made it out of Garlemald!” She turned away, crossing her arms and keeping her silence at this point.>
[23:46:07] Luna A: laughed more at Freia’s childishness. “You’ll have to excuse her. She isn’t as used to being sociable as I am.” She leaned a little to the side, trying to take a look at the brewing Heat was working on. She didn’t stop the succubus from taking a seat in her own bed, though the obvious and lascivious look on her face spelled out what she was looking for. “I’m guessing there’s a favor I can do for you here that would gain your approval of me?” She left it open ended, but>
[23:46:13] Luna A: the offer was there nonetheless.
[23:50:53] Heat V: grinned nefariously, pulling the young bunny back against her breasts before pinching her ears in an overly familiar manner, pulling her head backwards to look up at her. "Favor? My dear bunny....if this works...you..will be the first little plush strumpet in what may be the greatest triumph in the last century! How...shut up and open those pretty lips for me. I want a niiiice big ;ahhhhhhhh!"
[23:53:23] Luna A: knew that something was up. But, she also knew that there likely wasn’t another way to get the woman’s approval. Her ears flicked as they were grabbed at, and were absolutely frigid when grasped. But, she opened up enough to slip whatever the liquid in the vial was supposed to be. Hopefully this plan didn’t backfire on her.
[23:58:01] Heat V: now very slowly tilted the viale over Luna's lips...and began to pour. If her own tastebuds were accurate, Luna would soon be enjoying a verry sweet mixture of aetheric goodies ment for one special purpose. There was an undeniablely soft sensuality to her opening maw, glisting with the splash of each drop upon the lips. Emptying the viale, Heat gently brought her head forward, then rather affectionately rubbed her throat, her right hand helping itself around her waist playfully. "Well...how>
[23:58:32] Heat V: was it? Discribe the taste as YOU experienced it for me, dear bun, please."
[00:01:25] Luna A: The liquid was warm and almost, creamy? Whatever it was it was strange and sickly sweet. And though she didn’t deny the woman’s advances, she was sure to not melt under such a hot gaze. “Well, it is extraordinarily sweet, so much so I’m not sure I want sugar with my next meal. Other than that though, there is little of note. I can only say that it did get past my usually dulled tastes, so I’d presume there is some mortal aether within it.”
[00:05:31] Heat V: went LIVID again. "Excellent..oooh you beautiful bun you! Voidsent tastebuds don't at all function in the typical way. If your tongue's indeed picking up on the sweetness to THAT extent..we're on te right track! Ok! And now...the final ingredient!" Getting up, Heat...literally...sat right down on Luna's lap, facing her. Without slightest permission, she placed her hands on her shoulders, slid them to her neck, tilted her face upwards, thumbs pressing against each cheek, leaned in.....and >
[00:08:11] Heat V: kissed her FULL and hard on the lips. It wasn't just a peck, just a simple taste...ohhh no. With an almost hateful passion, she ate deep into the young bunny's mouth, as if her maw possessed a liquified honey that was the secret of immortality. Her tongue burrowed in deep to converse with hers, bullying it, mixing her saliva with hers in the most taboo of ways. Again and again, her jaw worked, keeping her lips digging, searching her out to the fullest...before FINALLY she broke off,>
[00:09:02] Heat V: immediately suckling her bottom lip clean or her oral secretions. And now..the deeply analytical look came forward on her brows. "Well...tell me...how do you feel?"
[00:11:31] Luna A: “Well, I’m not entirely voidsent, my tastes may not be the best for sc-” she was was cut off by the sudden, but not exactly surprising, kiss. It was a nice kiss, if a bit intense and devoid of the intimacy she preferred. Once over though, she quickly wiped away the traces of their mixed salivas off her lips with the back of her hand, careful not to damage her lipstick.>
[00:11:38] Luna A: At the prompt, she could only give a shrug. “About the same, still have that sickly sweet aftertaste in the back of my throat. I’m guessing that potion was meant to arouse me?” She wasn’t stoic, but it certainly seemed she was cold and frigid, her eyes staring directly at Heat’s unflinchingly.
[00:16:35] Heat V: 's eyes practically filled with tears. "Whyyyyyyyy? Why ididn't it work? The pheromonial injection shoulda triggered the catalyst by now. Dammit!" Heat stood up and stomped her foot like a spoiled child, glaring at Luna. "Right now...youre supposed to be buck nekkie, laying on a pillow, wet as a waterfall..and begging to be bred like peanut and jelly sandwiches were going out of business!" Heat crossed her arms and sighed. "I KNOW I followed the receipe to the letter as mother gave it. >
[00:17:29] Heat V: Thiiiiis close to being a billionaire...and I can't even get a rise out of a Bunni..a BUNNI..out of all things!" She crossed her arms and glared at Luna, genuinely frustrated.
[00:21:31] Luna A: let out another icy laugh. “Bunny or not, I spent time as a consort when I was tight on funds. Not to mention the fact that I have to remain rather cold has helped me fight baser urges.” It was true, her legs felt freezing, even in a room as stiflingly hot as this. “Strong as that potion may be, I do believe that I am an almost natural counter to its effects. Apologies for being a poor test subject in that regard.”>
[00:21:50] Luna A: She gave a kind smile, leaning into Heat a little as she wrapped her arms around the succubus, one around the waist and one around the neck. “So, was that enough to solicit your approval, or do I need to bend over and make you feel like you’re in control?” She smirked almost evilly now, knowing precisely the fire she was playing with.
[00:28:07] Heat V: grinned roguishly. "On the contrary, you need do nothing more. You passed Lady Luna." Heat got off Luna's thighs which, she surmised, were QUITE happy to have their circulation back, and prostrated herself upon the floor, bowing. "I feel inclined to apologize for putting you through that. Its not the easiest thing to accept the lips of a stranger one has just met...but it was crucial to see how you react under unorthodox situations...situations which..are MOST frequent to occur in our >
[00:31:57] Heat V: little sorotity. Slasher, who I believe you have met by now, said you seemed to have respectable resolve in dealing with situations that might prove confrontational, mentioning a..tense..incident with Leon while I was unconscious days ago. It seems you were able to maintain a calm spirit then. And now, you didn't so much as budge at my own provications, though your mamet friend was indeed lively enough." Heat stands up and points at the remnants of the potion. "Strawberry and Banana extract>
[00:32:55] Heat V: I sincerely hope, leave a kind aftertaste in the mouth. I pray you will forgive the minor deception...though it stilll pains me I won't be the next Bill Fates any time soon.."
[00:37:46] Luna A: had no circulation to speak of, but the relief of pressure from her thighs was nice all the same. As she prostrated herself, Luna leaned forward to listen closely. “It is not the first time a stranger has placed so much passion upon me, though it quite possibly could be the last.” She smiled, cupping Heat’s chin gently in one hand as she guided her to face back up towards the viera woman. “I thank you for your approval, and for the delicious drink, much as I tend to prefer subtler>
[00:37:53] Luna A: <flavors.” She didn’t recognize the name Slasher, though if that were to fit anybody who knew of the tenuous relations she held with Leon she would surmise it to be the tonberry.
[00:44:02] Heat V: cocked a knowing eyebrow and sideglanced Luna coily. "Oh ho! A seductress in her own right. Perhaps I must watch my steps closely at the arrival of the new sister, lest I soon find myself in her icy shadow.." Heat rose and brushed herself off. She looked towards the ceiling, where a myriad of spider webs loomed overhead. "Well...thats that. My congradulations for persevering in your quest to meet the sisters. Between you and I, the personalities here are quite lively...but you would do well>
[00:46:04] Heat V: to keep your head about you. Though this is a sanctuary of sorts...it is also a congregation of darkness...and not a few have wandered in here seeking solace, never to return to the sunlight..." Heat giggled. "...listen to me trying to sound grim." She shook her head, laughing at herself. "Enjoy your stay, here at the Secret Veil, lady Luna."
[00:49:15] Luna A: “Oh, I have no delusions of becoming your better. Seduction is but a hobby of mine.” She smiled back at the woman, leaning the hand that had been cupping her chin back onto the bed. “I’m keenly aware of the darker elements, having met most all of them by now. But, I succumbed to that temptation of darkness quite some time ago. Our mutual silken friend doesn’t call me moonlight for nothing.” Pushing herself off the bed, she held out a hand for a shake.”I plan to, miss Heat. I thank>
[00:49:20] Luna A: <you once more for your support in my membership.”
[00:53:34] Heat V: accepted Luna's handshake, vigorously supressing the blush that had suddenly begged to explode all over her face at the word 'silken friend', deeeeply grateful that the spider webs above told no tales of what had transpired in their deeply cradling warmth and embrace. She cleared her throat, trying her best to keep the plastered smile upon her lips. Whistling innocently, she strolled to the door and opened it. "I take it you will have your own lodgings soon enough, if you don't room mate >
[00:53:57] Heat V: with one of the sisters before." She opened the door and bowed.
[00:56:46] Luna A: followed the succubus to the door. “I’ll likely be making my own quarters. Though still only tentative as I have some final things to take care of before officially joining, I did place my scant few things in a room in the basement. I doubt many would wish to room with a person who keeps her surroundings at freezing temperatures.” Well, there was one she presumed would be a frequent visitor to her room, but none other came to mind. “I look forward to our next meeting, till our>
[00:56:54] Luna A: <climes clash once more.” She gave a smile, the warmest part about her, before exiting the room.