I Was Looking for a Breath of Life

[redlightgreenlight]

Who: Valdis (redlightgreenlight) & Open
What: Valdis wanders around Marrow Isle
When: April
Where: Various Locations on the Island
Warning(s):As needed



Oak & Iron | Open | CW: None

Things are going, but that’s about it. Her attempts to integrate herself into the community seems so much harder than she expected, perhaps because she’s not trying to play a role. It’s a balance, trying to find who she is outside of her past persona, outside of the Eterna, outside of Tiamat. She needs to gather allies, make new friends, and settle a life for herself. Valdis thought it would be easier to be happy.

As a result, she drops 50 brass on the bartop and flashes a smile at the next person who approaches. “Drinks all around!”

Around Town | Open | CW: None

Despite the demons that occasionally appear, her day patrols have been quiet enough that she checks in on the different businesses around town, saying hello to friends and acquaintances alike. Sometimes she’ll linger longer to discuss the recent happenings.

The night patrols are a little busier depending on if demons or those with ill intentions are around. Sometimes she runs into the Tristitia tormenting someone and has to drive the poor creature off. On this particular night, it is bothering someone, though she can’t quite make out who it is, she moves quickly to intercept.

Wildcard | Open
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Oak & Iron...

[dynamiteabs]

          It'd been a long yet uneventful day patrolling the grounds, looking for some reason—any reason honestly—to be able to put his explosives to use in the name of the law, so before heading home, Jamison finally decided to check out the tavern officially. Hopefully, they had top-shelf or close to, not that he was spoiled or anything. After securing Lady Sugarhoof Von Neighneigh the First outside and strapping on her feedbag so she could have her dinner, he made his way inside.

          Most were strangers, but that didn't bother Junkrat one bit as he gave nods of acknowledgments to those who made eye contact with him as he walked up to the bar. Just as he was about to order, a pretty lady made it rain hard enough to buy the whole place a round of drinks! The cherry on top was her smile. After all that had happened to him in the last few days, that simple gesture held comfort and normalcy, which he definitely appreciated. Instinctively, he returned it with a nod. ❝ Seems I'm just in time, hehe! Wot's the occasion, luv? Not that one needs a reason to celebrate, I reckon. ❞

[redlightgreenlight]

Not only is this the perfect way to meet new people, it's a way to get into their good graces with near immediacy. The particular patron has an edge to him that grants her a minuscule internal pause, though she answers his question without a moments hesitation and plenty of charisma.

"No occasion, just don't want to be alone this evening and I've been feeling social."

[dynamiteabs]

          ❝ Sounds good ta' me. Being alone in your own thoughts isn't always fun. ❞ But now wasn't the time for dwelling on that, so with upbeat energy, he raised his hand in greeting while giving her a soft bow of his head. ❝ Name's Jamison. I'm pretty new around here. ❞

          And it probably went without saying he was an Enforcer, seeing as he still had on his leather armor and weapons. After ordering a White Russian, extra sweet, or the equivalent, attention returned to her. ❝ Thanks for the drink... I'd love ta' be your company for the evenin'. So, wot do folks usually do around here for fun? ❞

[redlightgreenlight]

Valdis makes notes of everything about this Jamison, but nothing horribly negative stands out. He's an enforcer, like her, but that means very little. The fact he orders a sweet drink instead of beer is of slight interest.

"Valdis, not quite as new, but still getting my footing." She picks up his drink when the bartender sets it down and offers it to him.

"There's plenty to do here, but it really depends on what your interests are before I can recommend anything specific."

[dynamiteabs]

          ❝ Valdis, ❞ Jamison repeated softly. ❝ Never heard that one before. Very pretty. ❞ Sounded kind of like the name of a cool sword from a video game or something. When she handed him the drink, he gave her a nod of appreciation before taking a sip.

          As for interests, he didn't have to think long. After licking off the slight cream mustache from his lip, Junkrat answered in a hopeful tone, ❝ Honestly, I miss the music the most. I used ta' have customizations on me arm here, ❞ he lifted it up, the futuristic theme it once held now gone, replaced with a fancy steampunk aesthetic. ❝ And one of those was a speaker that allowed me to play music... But now, when I go on patrol, if I don't sing, it's nothin' but silence. ❞ His ember eyes held an optimistic glint as they caught hers.

Oak & Iron, Drinks

[pineapplesalmon]

Hey, César is getting pretty good at this whole "not working all the time" thing, which means he's actually just finishing his drink when Valdis drops her money on the bartop. He pauses before he smiles at her.

"... okay, you know what? I'll actually finally have a second drink." He grins. "Farm's actually got enough going that I'd like that second look, sometime."

A beat. "Oh, and hello!" Well, better late than never to remember the part that should have been first?

[redlightgreenlight]

"Good to see you, César," Valdis places his second drink into his hand. "I'll even buy you a third if you like."

[pineapplesalmon]

César makes a joking grimace. "Two's going to be plenty. I prefer not to be much more than tipsy. Little bit paranoid about the loss of control."

[redlightgreenlight]

"That's fair. I've never been drunk myself, so I can't truly relate, but I have seen what happens to others."

Not for lack of trying on the Eterna, but here, here is different.

[pineapplesalmon]

"At some point, I might experiment to see where my tolerance lies now, but that's probably something to do during a private party with everyone, including Magne, aware. I don't think I'd be an angry drunk by any means, but I don't want her being the only one to deal with me." César is considerate to a fault; he actually rubs his chin and tilts his head a little. "It's honestly useful information to know, now that I think about it. Since I actually have a social life."

[lordoftheozarks]

Erik steps in closer from where he is lingering at the far side of the bar. This is a good hunting ground for a whore, after all. His smile turns sly as he looks up from the brass she's slapped on the counter to her face.

"Are you on the menu by any chance?" He doesn't expect anything close to a yes, but he just cannot help himself with an opening like that.

[redlightgreenlight]

Valdis feels many things when the little man opens his mouth with a question designed to rile her. He's been here longer, so clearly he's feeling bold enough to tease, yet there's still that tiny little edge of fear in the back of him mind.

"That's a drink I don't think you could handle." She replies with a smile. "Even if you were willing to risk a sip."

[lordoftheozarks]

"It might be worth it, just once, for the experience." At least in a place where he's guaranteed to come back to life if it kills him.

"But, no, I didn't truly expect you to approve." He waves the thought away with one pale hand.

"How are you settling in? I've heard you and Max are living under the same roof these days."

[redlightgreenlight]

"Many things are worth trying once, but some of those things will kill you, and when you come back they just might kill you again."

Just a little note. Valdis knows enough about him to know he won't act against her, because the moment he does he loses Max as well as his life, and possibly the respect others may have for him. Still, they can taunt and tease each other as much as they both like. Maybe it could even be fun.

His question is oddly genuine though, so it's hard to find a way to twist it to her favor. Mostly because an answer wouldn't give him any advantage. He's not even trying to play a game. Settling into a new place is easy for someone like her, but that's not really what he was curious about.

"We are. He's doing well, happy to have a kitchen to play in, even if it is small."

[lordoftheozarks]

"I would ask if you would like some help funding his kitchen endeavors, but you seem to be doing just fine." Based on her buying a round for the house.  

"I am happy for him. To see him thriving at last is beautiful. He should have everything he desires."

Erik's lips thin and worry bubbles under the surface of his cool demeanor. "I recently learned that Tarantulas upset him very badly by... convincing him I didn't care for him anymore. I admit I am at a loss for how to approach that problem. If at all. I would like your advice if you are willing to give it."

Around town

[maximumcake]

It won't take her long to realize who Tristitia's victim is tonight. As soon as she feels the pull of grief coming from Max, she'll know. He's weeping in the ghostly spirit's arms, just shy of wailing, but the way the sobs wrack at his chest it might be that he's already exhausted himself too much for that. Better hurry, Valdis.

[redlightgreenlight]

She's never used her magic on a spirit-like creature before, but it spreads along the shadows, racing ahead of her to stab into the anguished soul of the creature. It releases Max, falling to its knees as it shrieks in pain. It's one thing to feel the pain of other creatures, entirely another to feed off it, but the strength that should come with the draining of the soul comes at a cost. The soul is sick and she can feel the illness reaching for hers.

But she's at Max's side and pulling him away from the Tristitia, hoping that fear will make the creature flee.

[maximumcake]

"Valdis," he gasps, shaking hands reaching for her. She's not too late to save him from catatonia, but she may have to carry him home. "She...she..." It's all too horrible, he can't put it in words but he knows she'll feel the way grief claws at his soul, grief he thought he had already buried. Somehow it's all fresh again, as the day he left home.

His grief is too enticing for Tristitia to run from. She had him. She almost had it-- what she needs, what she craves. And now there's more, fresh anguish. She moans and fights to keep Max in her cold arms.

[redlightgreenlight]

No. Max belongs to her, not this anguished creature. An inhuman snarl tears from her throat and she sends different emotions to Max and the Tristitia, ones filled with love and joy. How she feels when Max holds her, when they dance together, or when they laugh in the kitchen as he tries to cook with the meager food they have available. The happiness she feels when he talks about what he wants to do, when he brings her fresh bread from the bakery across town and declares that he'll be making his own soon enough.

All this and more she pours into both the man she loves and the poor shell of a demon who feeds off sorrow. She shoves the creature away, hoping her love for Max will counteract the anguish.

[maximumcake]

"Valdis," Max's wretched expression of grief smoothes into a peaceful smile. His eyes close and one last tear rolls down his cheek. He clings to her, awash in her joy, infused, body and soul, with her love. It doesn't erase his grief, but it settles it. He is safe. Everything will be okay as long as she is here.

Tristitia snarls and lashes out, aiming to rake nails down the Valdis's face. "How dare youuuu!"

The Shady Merchant | Amaterasu

[redlightgreenlight]

She'd been resisting the familiar draw quite easily until recently, as it's grown stronger over the month. Still, she's resistant to contributing to what she sees as a piece of her soul being held hostage. She's expressed no outward interest in the blade as it sits dully behind the counter, almost dead. But she notices the glow increase as she passes by and the sharp longing.

Gritting her teeth, she walks into the shop, she has the funds and she can't stand seeing it in the hands of such a person any longer.

[i_ink_therefore_i_ammy]

Amaterasu has been eyeing a sword in the Shady Merchant's shop for a while now. One with an almost but not quite familiar scent, and the feeling of something divine. Sunleash is a wonderful tool of flame, but not all things are weak to the blessed fire. It's just strange, to only have a single weapon on hand.

Which is why, when Valdis arrives, she is there, looking at the sword with an appraising eye and a bag of Brass in her jaws. Ammy's no stranger to merchants overpricing their wares when they think a buyer is desperate, which is why Sunleash is hovering gently and calmly over her back. No need for the Merchant to think she has no weapon to call her own.

[redlightgreenlight]

With her divine senses, Ammy may be able to recognize the scent from the sword matches that of the person who just walked into the store behind her. As for Valdis, she sees the divine wolf in the store and almost feels a little more at ease. Though it's countered by the immediate and quickly hidden concern over the idea that her sword may be attractive to the goddess. Worse, the divine blade may even obey such divinity. She has no way of knowing as no one else has ever used the sword but her.

Though clearly it has not seen fit to burn the merchant who holds it, so perhaps its power or will has diminished.

"It's nice to see you again, Ammy," she says. "Come to see what's on offer?"

[i_ink_therefore_i_ammy]

Ammy's tail starts wagging immediately once she smells Valdis, and she barks out a cheerful greeting. "Ah! Indeed I have. It is strange to only have one weapon available, and I would not wish to strain River's resources." And she has yet to find a good elemental base for a second Glaive, anyway.

"What think you of.." A small pause, a head tilt. "This blade, here? A hint of divinity, to it." She says that slowly, then returning to normal conversational tone... And canine body language conveys the curiosity she feels.

[redlightgreenlight]

Valdis glances at Revelations, feeling that tugging ache in her chest as the red gem slowly comes awake with her presence.

"It's very pretty, it would suit you well if it belonged to you."

She knows the merchant will hike the price if he even suspects it's worth more, or if he realizes how much she wants it.

"I also like pretty things, something we have in common."

She hopes the goddess is clever enough to read between the lines.