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+---- Thread: where the shadow ends (/showthread.php?tid=11524)
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where the shadow ends - Sunjata - 06-17-2025
Realizing that since the meeting with the rest of the Enders, there was a surprising lack of Tal among the group. He’d been too busy trying to evade the punches from Pierce at the Pool Party and trying to steal the arrow and blade that had been sticking out of the man’s body to no avail. He hadn’t seen what had become of Talyson, but he knows that Alys is still here.
So he arrives at their door for perhaps one of the first times, a basket in hand of a casserole made from the House of Midnight and not by his own hands (it was better that way, he’s such a horrible cook). But he knocks, waiting on the porch for the Fateweaver to appear, silhouetted by the early afternoon sun that warms his back in golden light.
RE: where the shadow ends - Alys - 06-17-2025
If things were normal, Alys might not be here; she might be anywhere in Caido, happily aboard the Peregrine, traveling to and fro with her partner and their companions. But Tal was infected - and, as it turned out, gone - and the seer wasn't sure what hurt worse. So to King's End she had gone, and in King's End she had stayed - with the exception of her trips to the Greatwood to search in vain for a Vi's Rose.
On this particular day, she was packing for yet another venture into the wooded region. When there was a knock on the door, she jumped; Sascha rose from where she'd been spread out in a ray of sunshine to snuffle at the wood. Alys answered to find Sunjata standing there, a basket in hand, and blinked with surprise. [say]"Sunjata, hello!"[/say] she said, recovering quickly to open the door a bit wider. [say]"Would you like to come in?"[/say]
RE: where the shadow ends - Sunjata - 06-17-2025
As Alys answers the door, Sunjata’s smile is bright – if not still crooked by the scar bisecting his cheek – but straightens up as he answers. “[say]Hey. Sure, if you don’t mind.[/say]” He murmurs – though figuring that if she didn’t want him to come in that she wouldn’t have offered in the first place. But that’s neither here nor there, and he’s already stepping into the lovely house and shifting the basket from where it sits on his arm.
“[say]I just wanted to check in on you. Tal wasn’t at the meeting and it’s not like him to miss them.. But I didn’t get a chance to see what happened after the pool party. So.. I wanted to apologize for whatever happened.[/say]” Because something tells him that since he’d jumped in, Tal had helped, and something else had happened, even if he wasn’t too sure whether it was infection or worse.
So he gestures to the basket, a sense of guilt lingering in him that he hopes is masked by the smile (unaware of her magic that can tell regardless of how good his mask is). “[say]I would have made it myself, but Ru can attest that I should stay away from a kitchen unless I'm learning.[/say]” The chuckle is soft but genuine as he extends the basket toward her. Inside, she'd find a casserole, a fresh and perfectly baked loaf of bread, and some glass jars of jams in various flavors (raspberry, blackberry, and apricot).
RE: where the shadow ends - Alys - 06-17-2025
Alys's answering smile was tired, but no less genuine for it. She stepped aside as Sascha snuffled at Sunjata's feet, waiting until he'd crossed the threshold to shut the door behind him. Inside was warm, cozy, and inviting. Windows along one wall were open to catch the summer breeze, and something that smelled like spiced fruit boiled on the stove. Alys padded into the kitchen on bare feet, taking Sunjata's basket and setting it on the counter. She began to unload it as he spoke.
Her fingers stilled at mention of Tal.
She glanced up, surprise and unease apparent on her face. [say]"You didn't see -?"[/say] she started, her brow furrowing, but of course Sunjata didn't know. He wouldn't be asking if he did. Alys's gaze dropped back to the basket. [say]"... Vox got him,"[/say] she whispered, forcing the words past a sudden lump in her throat. [say]"He's infected."[/say] She took a shaky breath. Squared her shoulders.
Ignoring Sunjata's guilt - gods knew her own was enough - she met his gaze once more. [say]"I'm searching the Greatwood for roses when I can,"[/say] she said. A quiet fire of determination burned in her eyes. [say]"And I'll do anything if it means hitting back at the Family. I have to be having these visions for a reason. I want to help."[/say]
RE: where the shadow ends - Sunjata - 06-18-2025
He spots the unease, his smile fading immediately into something softer, gentler, an empathetic frown as he nods and swallows. “[say]I’m sorry.[/say]” He says quietly, looking away from her to take in the room, gaze landing on Sascha with a hint of sorrow lingering in his shoulders. He understands what she means, though, about the determination and desire to fix Tal and take a stand against the Family.
So he nods to that, looking up and meeting her gaze with determination in his own, approaching the edge of the counter. “[say]Yeah, I’ve been looking too.[/say]” He agrees, because at this point it was essentially all they could do. “[say]Speaking of.. I wanted to ask you a question. You can absolutely say no if you want to, but, I wanted to know if you might want a bigger role in King’s End?[/say]” He glances back up to her face, scanning for any reaction she might have.
“[say]It doesn’t have to be a full council position if you don’t want it, but, would you like to be my Seer?[/say]” He asks, tilting his head, prepared to answer any questions she might have.
RE: where the shadow ends - Alys - 06-18-2025
Alys's throat constricted. Sunjata, more than anyone, would understand what she was going through, wouldn't he? He'd been infected - and he'd come out the other side seemingly none the worse for wear. Of course, she was sure he carried his share of scars from the experience (who wouldn't?), but it was heartening to think that Tal might emerge relatively unscathed.
So she swallowed her fear and her urgent need to do anything to fix it, focusing instead on unpacking the basket. She'd only managed about half of it when Sunjata's words stilled her hands again, and she looked up in surprise from where she'd been stacking jams upon the counter. She sensed no feelings of hesitation in the Archon, which was perhaps more surprising than anything. She hadn't been aware she'd made such an impression upon him - or that she'd been seen as someone who could do more for King's End, even if she wanted to. And she did want to, she realized. The region was her home, and she'd perhaps spent too long traveling outside of it.
The Fateweaver sat down the jars of jam, leaning one hip against the counter as she considered Sunjata. [say]"I would love to be able to do more,"[/say] she said. Then, tilting her head to one side, she added: [say]"What do you envision my role would be, as your Seer? Would it differ based on whether it was a full council position?"[/say] She smiled. [say]"I'm inclined to accept, but I want to understand what I can do, first."[/say] In other words, why her? What made him seek her out, rather than someone else who was, perhaps, more qualified?
RE: where the shadow ends - Sunjata - 06-18-2025
He had come out of the infection mostly unscathed - scarred internally from the things he’d done while also being reminded of such horrors when faced with them. But ultimately? Still wholly him. Completely. With the possibility that Frey could remove the infliction from him after, though he’d decided to keep it for the easier indicator of seeing just who still needed to be healed.
It was a double edged sword, really.
She sets the jars down and looks up at him and Sunjata flashes her a softer smile - having hoped for an answer, selfishly, but with the opportunity of ensuring that she didn’t have to do more than what she was already doing if she didn’t want to. “[say]It would differ, yes. If you were on the council we would decide what things to pursue for King’s End. Like… Whether we’re collecting unicorn shavings, trading with regions, working on training our soldiers, etcetera.[/say]” Pausing here, because he doesn’t mind one way or another. “[say]It would also mean that if something were to happen to me… During the gardening phases… That you could step in until I’m back.[/say]” Because he isn’t planning on dying, but he can’t promise that he won’t fall victim to his immortality. And he knows Ru would be so ferocious over his body and protective that he couldn’t expect her to step in. So he won’t ask it of her.
“[say]So it can be a lot of responsibility and I get it if you don’t want to add all of that to your plate. If you didn’t, then you’d still have a bigger role to play but it would be probably solely like an advisor of sorts? Your visions have been really helpful, Alys. And I would be stupid to not selfishly ask for your help with them more.[/say]” His smile is lopsided, but he straightens with it on the table, letting her mull it over.
RE: where the shadow ends - Alys - 06-18-2025
Whatever Alys had been expecting, it had not been this. Not to say that she was upset in any way - no, she was flattered to be considered worthy of such a position. She’d never once aspired to such a thing, but in considering it now, it felt… momentous, somehow. Like there was some dream she’d been chasing without even knowing it, and now the cards had fallen in such a way as to allow her to live it.
If Tal were here, he would be brimming with pride.
[say]”I would be honored to serve on your council,”[/say] she said after the briefest of pauses, a genuine smile stretching across her face. She admired Sunjata greatly, and to be asked to help him in this way meant more than she could say. [say]”Anything I can do, I will. King’s End is my home. I want to do anything I can to help.”[/say]
She paused, then added, [say]”Speaking of visions, I’ve had a third one.”[/say] And it had been just as terrifying as the others. [say]”Its… not great.”[/say]
RE: where the shadow ends - Sunjata - 06-18-2025
There’s a brief pause, but then she answers, and Sunjata’s smile tugs on his face. It’s a touch wider, a bit of relief that floods through his shoulders as he straightens up. “[say]Great.[/say]” He hopes that she can tell that he’s relieved, quietly grateful for the result. But it’s a feeling that doesn’t particularly last, not when she continues. They can figure out the semantics later of it.
The smile quickly vanishes and he leans his hip against the edge of the counter as he nods, prepping himself mentally as much as he can. “[say]What was it?[/say]” He asks softly, his tone a touch quieter. He knows it won’t be great, given the pretense of it, but what had she seen that he needed to mentally prepare to share with the others?
RE: where the shadow ends - Alys - 06-18-2025
Sunjata smiled, his quiet relief and sincere gratitude filling the space between them. Alys returned to unpacking, removing the last of the jars and the loaf of bread, setting it between them. Sascha moseyed over innocently, blinking up at her bonded and Sunjata, clearly begging for a piece of the bread. The seer watched her companion with a snort. [say]”You’d think I never feed her,”[/say] she commented fondly under her breath, before opening a drawer, retrieving a knife, and slicing off a small portion for the little ursur.
Alys’s smile faded, though, as talk turned to her most recent vision. [say]”At first, there was nothing special about the dream. I don’t even know if I was dreaming at all. But then the darkness shifted, and I could tell that I was somewhere damp and dimly lit. It was some kind of cavern, I think. There was lightning, only purple - except it wasn't really lightning. It was some kind of markings being lit up, and they were on a great beast that was lurking in the cavern. When I realized I was looking at a creature of some kind, I woke up.”[/say] She paused, pursing her lips. [say]”Whatever the creature is, I think it’s stirring. The visions are getting clearer, and more frightening. I don’t think there’s much time left.”[/say]
RE: where the shadow ends - Sunjata - 06-18-2025
“[say]Petronella’s the same way.[/say]” Sunjata says with a soft chuckle, smiling down that gentle smile at the companion that had come back from the grave – wondering if once the Starfall endeavors were over if he would have a moment to indulge in himself, in asking to get Haai back. But for now, the Flood focuses instead on their faded smiles, the seriousness overtaking the conversation.
And fuck what a terrible omen it was. “[say]I see.[/say]” He says unhelpfully, swallowing down the other questions that rush to the surface. Taking a breath, Sunjata nods, and offers her a softer smile, hoping that he can offer some amount of hope. “[say]We’ve been.. making progress with Starfall lately.[/say]” And now that she’s accepted being part of his council, perhaps it’s time he informs her of something else vital to the cause. “[say]I’m worried about being overheard, but, we’ve found a way to maybe deal with the members of the Family directly, too.[/say]” Aside from just protections. But until they were somewhere safe where they couldn’t be overheard, which felt impossible given Vox’s eyes that Alys had seen everywhere, his subtlety would have to do.
RE: where the shadow ends - Alys - 06-18-2025
With a slice of bread provided, Sascha plopped down between Alys and Sunjata, grumbling happily to herself as she indulged. Or at least she was, until Alys shared her vision - then the little ursur sobered, shifting to place a paw comfortingly upon her bonded's foot.
Alys drummed her fingers lightly against the counter, her brow creased as she puzzled through what Sunjata couldn't say. [say]"I see,"[/say] she repeated, then made a face. [say]"It's a shame we don't have even a semblance of privacy."[/say] Progress with Starfall was enough to bring hope back to the seer's face, though - even if she didn't fully understand what that entailed, exactly.
Then there was something else, something that Sunjata couldn't expand on. But she could feel it, beating beneath his skin - the cautious optimism. So she nodded, thinking. [say]"What can I do?"[/say] she asked, turning away from the Archon to search in a nearby cabinet. When she turned back around, she held up pen and paper, raising her brows in a silent question. Would written words be 'overheard,' or would that be a safe way to communicate?
RE: where the shadow ends - Sunjata - 06-19-2025
“[say]It’s a huge pain, yeah.[/say]” Sunjata agrees with a small huff - as close to a laugh as he can manage, given the state of the vision she’d shared. But he focuses instead on trying to figure out how to word it when she’s moving around the kitchen again - letting his gaze fall back to Sacha with a small smile, reaching to let her sniff his hand and maybe scratch behind her ears if she’ll let him.
As for what they could do? Well, when she presents the paper, he figures it’s worth a shot. He snags the pen with a quiet nod. “[say]Search for more flowers, really. Greatwood or Frey’s Breath. That's what I'm planning on.[/say]” He murmurs vocally as he writes, his penmanship boasting long sweeping strokes, something sharp within the ink. We can cure the Family with the roses, too. He writes out, sliding it over to her for her to read.
And once he’s sure that she’s read the sentence, the ink begins to bloom and blossom into something unreadable - that portion of the paper wet with a flare of his water magic.
RE: where the shadow ends - Alys - 06-19-2025
Sascha accepted Sunjata's scratches, her dark eyes tracking her bonded as the seer digs through cabinets and drawers. When Alys presented the paper and pen to her Archon, the man took it and began to scrawl a note. [say]"I can do that,"[/say] she murmured, then took the note. Her eyebrows shot up at the message written there - and then it was gone, obliterated by Sunjata's water magic.
This news was welcome - but it left her with a conundrum. She bit her lip, thinking quickly. [say]"So, we need as many flowers as we can find, as quickly as we can find them."[/say] She fought the urge to pace. The flowers were the key to everything, it seemed. Taking a deep breath, as though to steel herself, Alys looked up at Sunjata. [say]"If we find one - how do we decide how to use it?"[/say] she asked softly, conflict evident in her gaze. She wanted to cure Tal - needed to cure Tal.
But now she had more responsibility than she'd had a few moments before. It wasn't just about her anymore. It was about King's End - and about Caido - in a way that it hadn't been until she'd accepted Sunjata's offer.