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Post by Jera on Nov 27, 2014 17:54:30 GMT -5
Jera suppressed a shiver and crossed her arms against the biting wind beginning to pick up in the later hour. Mentally she was reviewing the entire interaction between herself and Savryn, picking apart minutia with the most severely critical eye at her own behavior. Like any self-conscious, insecure young girl she obsessed over whether or not she'd made a good impression on the Agent of Marru'Khyr, going back and forth between accepting that the world was not going to end and panicking because she was absolutely certain that the apocalypse had definitely been set in motion and they were all inexplicably doomed.
The sign for the Inn they were staying at could be seen from where the Halfblood stood in the street and Jera, deciding it was only practical to do so, went ahead and slipped back into the warmth of its interior, trudging up the main stairwell so she could at least drop her purchases off and not have to worry about them. Of course, once she was up there and settled, the bed she'd been sleeping in looked pretty inviting. Jera flopped down on top of the covers with her arms over her head, letting golden eyes stare, glazed over, at the ceiling. She reviewed the best parts of meeting Savryn, focusing on the way the other woman's voice sounded and speculating on whether or not her father had known her. Slowly her eyes began to drift closed, and before Jera could really start fighting to stay awake she'd already dozed off. . .
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Post by Sabreíl on Jan 14, 2015 15:34:49 GMT -5
Sabreíl took her time walking up the inn stairs, allowing herself to sink into the relaxed, casual cadence of the resort city around her and let it partially govern her actions. The woman was usually highly practiced and efficient with her movements, but something about Tamryn was allowing the Intercessor to take a break from abject efficiency and instead enjoy a kind of lazy complacency that she knew would be incredibly short-lived. Sabreíl hadn’t realized quite how much she needed a mental respite from the heavier concerns of her life – she hadn’t been able to proverbially ‘let loose’ in nearly a year, and the constant tension in her mind was beginning to take its toll.
When the responsibilities of my office overwhelmed me, I would offen escape temporarily to a remote area and cleanse my mind in silence. Such breaks are valuable, perhaps especially to those who bear the weight of the world upon their shoulders. While I don’t see raising a teenager and worrying about the construction of SOL as equal to governing an entire continent, I appreciate that even mighty Mithria needed a break sometimes. Of course. The human mind can only sustain pressure uninterrupted for so long, no matter the source. You don’t feel pressure now though, do you? I can’t imagine and endless consciousness needs a vacation that often. My ascension removed the concerns of humanity through my sudden ability to see things on a grander scale. However, seeing the world again through your eyes has reminded me of what humanity felt like, and I can empathize with your feelings in some ways.
Sabreíl snorted to herself as her hand reached for the doorknob to her room, turning it and stepping inside carefully. ’Some ways’ being the key words in that statement. Still, you’re making an effort to understand my flawed, mortal sensibilities– I appreciate that. The Oracle stopped just inside the room as she caught sight of Jera, who was currently passed out on the bed, likely exhausted from all of her running around. Sabreíl smiled warmly, and moved to stand over the girl and press her hand to Jera’s shoulder, rocking her slightly.
“Jera.”
The Intercessor's voice was soft and caring, and should Jera awake she would see that Sabreíl had a slight, warm smile on her features.
“Did you get everything you need?”
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Post by Jera on Jan 22, 2015 13:14:32 GMT -5
”Mm. . ?“
Jera responded quickly, rolling over to her side at the soft press to her shoulder, pausing before opening unfocused eyes. A slow blink warded off the disorienting sensation of waking up right in the middle of getting on into deeper sleep and the Halfblood sat up, shaking her head and trying to stifle a yawn.
”Just sat down for a moment. . . Hey Sabreíl.” Jera looked up at the redheaded woman, using the knuckles of her index fingers to rub at her eyes before she straightened further. ”I guess I really needed a nap,” she shrugged cheerfully before refocusing on her teacher.
”Oh!”
She scrambled to pull out the conscientiously-stowed money in her pocket and offered it to Sabreíl with visible pride in her success.
”I did! My new boots won't be ready until tomorrow morning but I got everything I needed. I was really careful! And. . . Well. I met someone at the tanner's. Her name is Savryn and I invited her to come to the Inn and maybe eat dinner with us. She's from Marru'Khyr, and she said she knows who you are! I don't think you know her though. I didn't know you were such a big deal.”
As teenagers are wont to do, Jera's mood darkened suddenly, probably leaving Sabreíl with the impression that the Halfblood found that fact to be irritating somehow. Or maybe she was just still working through her very conflicted feelings on the Empire. Even if Sabreíl tried to understand the impromptu mood swing Jera wouldn't be able to articulate it. . .
”Anyway. Savryn didn't say what time she'd be here, but it's okay, right?” Those wide-set golden eyes stared up at the redhead, looking for approval as if she hadn't gotten sulky only a moment before.
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Post by Sabreíl on Jan 23, 2015 20:08:28 GMT -5
Sabreíl’s smile grew slightly as she watched the girl wake. The Intercessor straightened up as Jera oriented herself, and when the young woman offered her the remaining money, Sabreíl carefully took it from her, slipping it into the coin-purse at her side. Or, at least, she intended to – as Jera’s rushed words flew from one topic to the next, the Oracle stopped in her tracks, her brow furrowing as she tried to understand exactly what it was that Jera was telling her.
“Wait, Jera, slow down – you met someone from Marru'Khyr at the Tanner? Did they approach you?”
The Intercessor forced herself to complete the motion of putting the money away before crouching to one knee, bringing herself down to eye-level with the still-seated Jera. Sabreíl kept her tone extremely kind and even, with only a look of slight confusion coming to her features, so as not to abash the girl, but internally her thoughts were significantly more hectic.
There is no way she just happened to run into someone from Marru'Khyr within hours of reaching this town. They’re tracking me. I agree, the chances of such occurring are far too small for it to be a coincidence. However, Savryn is not a name we are familiar with – a new agent perhaps? We didn’t exactly part with Corvaelan on good terms, but I didn’t think he would be concerned enough with what we are doing to send anyone to get rid of us. Besides, if they wanted to lure me into a trap, taking Jera and leading me somewhere vulnerable would be a much better plan than trying to pull something in a place like this. It is possible that the Emperor has sent someone to speak with you: perhaps he needs your assistance, or wishes to lure you back to the fold. Once upon a time, he would come and do something like that himself: I must have lost importance in his eyes if he sent someone else.
Sabreíl would give Jera ample time to respond before continuing to question the girl, staying impeccably calm on her exterior in order to give the girl the distinct sense that she was just looking for more information, not scolding her.
“What else did Savryn say to you?”
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Post by Jera on Jan 26, 2015 14:35:23 GMT -5
Jera eyed Sabreíl like she'd said something silly when she told her to slow down. Slow down? She wasn't even talking that fast! The Halfblood stifled the huff of irritation that threatened to spill out and instead answered her teacher.
”Yeah! I did. But she didn't exactly approach me. We were looking at the same pattern book because she needed a pair of boots too and then we started talking when I told her I liked the dragon and─ hey! Did you know that the Emperor of Marru'Khyr was a Dragon? And that all of his family is too? Did my father know that? Why am I the only one that didn't know that?!”
Her tone was more excited than anything though she did eye the former Oracle somewhat reproachfully.
”Anyway, she told me about these people that live in a city across the sea and how they were ruled by Dragon people and that maybe the Dragon people invented magic, but I'm not too sure I believe that part. And then I asked her if she meant some place in Marru'Khyr because that's the only place across the sea I know about and then I dunno. We started talking about Marru'Khyr and stuff. I didn't tell her I'm a princess.”
Though Jera clearly wanted to. She'd been confident when she was talking to Savryn but now she was suddenly a little self-conscious and second-guessing whether she'd done the right thing or not. Her gaze dropped and she started fidgeting.
”She had white hair like me and she was really nice. She asked me about my parents and I told her about you instead and that we were training and stuff in the mountains. When I told her about you she got really excited and said she knew you. Then she told me she was on a mission from Emperor Corvaelan and that she was looking for─ oh!”
The Halfblood abruptly looked pretty abashed before she continued.
”Well, she said it was secret and I had to keep it to myself! Savryn didn't say I could tell you, but maybe she wants to tell you herself tonight!”
Jera bit her lip somewhat anxiously, not consciously admitting how important it was to her that Sabreíl approved of her invitation. . .
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Post by Sabreíl on Jan 26, 2015 19:35:56 GMT -5
Sabreíl listened very carefully to Jera’s words, her mind picking apart their implications at as rapid a pace as Jera’s ability to create streams of words without taking a breath. The whole situation sounded notoriously off, and the Intercessor's internal unease grew more intense the more the girl spoke.
It sounds way too much like a setup. I agree. She is likely here to kill you. Well, at least we are on the same page about the part where someone is trying to kill us. Indeed.
Sabreíl let Jera finish talking entirely before she began to go back through the girl’s statements and address them in turn, a soft smile playing at the woman’s features as she attempted to be reassuring.
“Jera: While the Emperor, as well as the rest of his family, are quite extraordinary and quite certainly superhuman, they are not really descendant from dragons, at least as far as I am aware.”
I mean, never say never, but not likely. Dragons are fictional creatures – there is no account of them ever truly existing.
Sabreíl slowly rose to her feet, intentionally taking on a relaxed posture and bracing her back up against a nearby wall, her arms crossing over her chest as she kept her eye on Jera. The woman's expression grew more serious, but she made sure not to chastise Jera – the girl had done well enough that a conversation about ‘next time’ at a later date would be more beneficial than a dressing down in the current moment. Still, there were certain things Sabreíl had to address.
“Jera, you did nothing wrong, but you must understand that my relationship with Corvaelan, and therefore the Marru'Khyran Empire as a whole, is quite complicated, and not entirely friendly, though we are certainly not hostile to each other. We will meet Savryn, but I also need you to tell me why she is here. Also, what time is she to arrive?”
The Intercessor had to play her cards carefully. She had already decided it was a trap – the meeting was too much of a coincidence for it not to be, but if Sabreíl was careful enough in her motions, she might be able to turn the situation to her advantage – assuming Savryn hadn’t brought significant reinforcements.
So, given that she’s coming here to interact with us, we should beat her to the punch, right? Yes. Assuming Jera can impart us with accurate information, the best course of action is to intercept the agent before she reaches the Inn.
“Did she say where she was staying?”
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Post by Jera on Feb 18, 2015 10:32:38 GMT -5
Jera watched Sabreíl with slightly narrowed eyes, skeptical at her mentor's thoughts on whether or not the ruling family of Marru'Khyr were Dragons. The legends Savryn spoke of had to come from somewhere and if they really were Dragons then it would make sense that they wouldn't tell everyone. Maybe that explained why she didn't know: her father wouldn't tell her things like that if it was only unconfirmed rumor. But then, she also didn't think that he was capable of abandoning her in the care of a strange giant swords-woman in the middle of a huge Forest, but that had definitely happened.
Jera did let out a little huff before trying to re-focus on Sabreíl. That feeling of self-consciousness was becoming more prevalent, and as the former Oracle crossed her arms the Halfblood crossed hers as well. Golden eyes settled down onto the floor and she tried not to fidget.
”She told me not to tell anyone. . . But I think she wants to tell you too, and she might want your help. . . So if I tell you, you have to promise not to let her know that I told you. So just. . . Act surprised or something if she tells you. Or, I mean, just don't tell her I told you. She trusts me, you know.”
Jera looked up at Sabreíl earnestly, her expression a cross between pleading for her teacher not to expose her untrustworthy-ness and pouting because she wanted to keep Savryn's sekrit mission all to herself. Regardless, as soon as Sabreíl assented, Jera would continue. Unless Sabreíl didn't consent, and then Jera would stay silent.
”She said she was here to find information on a fugitive. One that's very, very dangerous. Well, she said the fugitive wasn't dangerous if we left him alone. Now that I think about it, she said she was from Vascxious Sigma,” the name was said with some distaste, ”and that she was going back. Maybe the fugitive is there! Anyway, she said not to trust anyone else in Tamryn. But she seemed to think pretty highly of you, “ Jera eyed her teacher sidelong as if maybe she didn't see how that was the case, but the expression was mild and not totally malicious. Just skeptical.
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Post by Sabreíl on Mar 15, 2015 21:26:17 GMT -5
Sabreíl watched the girl almost-fidget with a small smile from her perch against the wall. The Intercessor knew she had to be delicate with her youthful charge – Ilyssa had learned early on with Jera that admonishing the girl had a tendency to make her lock up, her stubborn nature taking hold and closing her mind to new suggestion like a steel trap. It was not a trait she shared with her father, but Sabreíl suspected that was due more to the latter’s experience and maturity level than his inherent nature. Jera was still young and unsure, and for her teacher, chosen or not, to instill doubt in her only served as a force of regression, not advancement. Though it was certainly not Mithria’s chosen manner of teaching, Ilyssa had found that gentle encouragement seemed to work best when dealing with the young half-blood, so the woman had learned to take special care when addressing criticism towards Jera about her actions or choices.
“I’ll be sure to act surprised, Jera – if you feel that she trusts you, I won’t jeopardize that if I can avoid it.”
The likelihood of a Marru'Khyran agent entrusting important secrets to a girl she had just met is practically nonexistent. Yeah, the chance is about nil. But what she chose to tell Jera, probably knowing she would tell us, might give us a clue as to her real motives.
Sabreíl listened to Jera’s explanation very carefully, and didn’t respond to the girl verbally for a long moment as she deliberated internally. The youngling’s explanation was vague enough that it could have meant a great number of things, and the Intercessor knew she would have to be sure which meaning was most likely before engaging Savryn directly.
Any chance that fugitive is us? Could that be a threat, a warning that’s she’s come here for us? It would take a great stretch of the imagination for Corvaelan to deem us somehow as criminals in the eyes of his empire – even in our split from his ranks, we have never crossed paths in a truly negative way. The Emperor might be ruthless, but he is not dishonest. I believe she is seeking someone else. If that’s true, then its not a trap at all – it’s just a coincidence. Or, alternatively, the person they are looking for is dangerous enough that forces have been unable to capture him, and Corvaelan sent this Savryn to ask for our help in subduing him. I believe you are correct with your last point. It is wise to be wary, but I do believe it is unlikely he has chosen to provoke a battle with us now – it makes no tactical sense for him to do so. You’re right. I think we should play it by ear – and try to minimize Jera’s involvement. Agreed.
Finally, Sabreíl nodded to herself and affixed Jera in her emerald gaze again, the furrow in her brow softening as she spoke again to the girl in a low, even tone.
“I think we should take her warning and be careful here, Jera – if she’s right it might be more dangerous in Tamryn than we thought. Tell you what, why don’t you get some rest until it’s time to meet Savryn this evening – I would feel better if you stayed in the room until we have more information about this fugitive she is looking for.”
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Post by Jera on Mar 18, 2015 9:16:33 GMT -5
The Halfblood deflated a little but nodded her assent at Sabreíl.
”Okay,” Jera's voice dropped in volume and while she was trying to hide it, it would probably be pretty clear to the former Oracle that she was a little unconfident in her decision to betray Savryn's trust.
At Sabreíl's latter remarks, however, Jera perked up some.
”So it's okay that I invited Savryn to dinner?” Both brows rose as she looked up at Sabreíl, her desire for approval impossible to miss. She didn't need an answer from the former Intercessor: she was really just relieved that Sabreíl wasn't angry with her.
”I guess I could finish putting everything away. . .” She stifled a yawn and then gave a rueful smile. ”Well, maybe I'm a little more tired than I thought. . .”
{End Scene}
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Post by Alissia Syrkhan on Mar 18, 2015 10:48:47 GMT -5
{ Location: Outside the Mountain Spring Inn, early evening }
Alissia had been standing across the street from the Mountain Spring Inn for a matter of minutes while she collected herself in preparation for meeting a figure who was, as far as she was concerned, a virtual Marru'Khyran legend. The woman would have been lying to herself if she neglected to recognize just how intimidated the situation made her – the Intercessor, Sabreil, was head of the Order’s entire combat division prior to the Order being restructured after the Unification, and was therefore thought to be one of the greatest fighters to work for the Marru'Khyran cause next to Corvaelan himself. She was spoken of as a giant, both in the metaphorical and literal senses, and Alissia had to make sure she was ready to handle herself in the woman’s presence and stay on topic – getting flustered and losing her point was a surefire way not to convince the former Intercessor to side with her cause, which could potentially spell disaster for the Operative’s efforts in Tamryn.
It didn’t help her composure that Alissia felt like her entire afternoon after parting from Jera’s company at the tanner had been a monumental waste of time. Several of the books she had found in the bookstore seemed promising, but when she took the tomes back to her room and began to pour over them in detail, she kept coming up with nothing. The Mage who had managed to single-handedly free Fureya from the Capital was in no way mentioned in recent history: when Alissia began to go back further, she found a few minutes to ‘a red-haired man’ who was spoken of as some kind of ghost of calamity, a spectre present at terrible disasters or life-changing events, but there was no name or conclusive information attached to the notations that could lead the Operative’s research anywhere substantial. The thing was old, clearly – there were mentions matching the being’s physical description in histories that dated back thousands of years, before the time of Faédras even, when Azaleth was still in its infancy – however, Alissia needed something more specific to go on before she could really hope to find what she was looking for. A name, or at least some kind of origin point or common title: without one of those, the woman’s efforts were dead in the water. The thought made her fists clench up, and Alissia had to banish those thoughts from her mind and ring her attention back to the present in order to calm herself back down.
The woman pulled her dark fur coat around her shoulders tighter, took a deep breath, and started herself across the street, weaving carefully through the passing crowds until she stood in front of the open entranceway to the Mountain Spring Inn’s tavern entrance. The inside room was fairly busy, but Alissia lingered momentarily in the doorway, attempting to spot Jera, or anyone who might match the description of Sabreil, before picking a direction for her entrance into the tavern. Seeing neither the girl nor the Intercessor, Alissia chose to step through the center of the tavern floor and find a side table big enough for four, at which she sat after carefully folding her long coat over the back of her chair once it was free from her shoulders. Alissia made sure to pick the seat at the table that gave her a clear view of both the outside and inside entrances to the Tavern, her cool blue eyes flitting between both archways as she settled herself comfortably in the straight-back chair.
When one of the servers would come by, the woman would order a stiff drink to sip on, but otherwise, the woman would wait patiently for her intended meeting partners, all the while working carefully to keep her insides as cool and poised as her exterior presentation was managing to be.
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Post by Sabreíl on Apr 22, 2015 10:32:59 GMT -5
Sabreíl watched the daylight die out the window of their rented room, carefully judging the time of day as she considered her situation. It was approximately time to go meet Jera’s ‘new friend,’ the Marru'Khyran agent of unknown intentions, and in the hours since Jera had fallen back asleep, the Intercessor had been thinking carefully over her time with the Order, and what the future ramifications of that time, and its end, could possibly be. The situation was complex, and the variables involved were extremely hazy – two things Sabreíl despised. She need to find some way to simplify the situation: it was possible that this meeting might give her just such an opportunity . . . or do the exact opposite.
Sabreíl stood from her chair and stretched her legs by bending forward slightly before going to the bed and gently shaking Jera’s shoulder, meaning to rouse the girl from her rest. When she would open her eyes, Sabreíl would speak softly before moving to the locked wardrobe that contained her belongings and slipping the key through the tumblers.
“It’s time for us to go meet your friend, Jera.”
Opening the wardrobe, Sabreíl carefully removed the dagger from her belt and set it inside carefully before re-sealing the wooden doors. In official meetings, appearances were everything, and the Intercessor imagined that this meeting with a Marru'Khyran agent would be no different: coming unarmed would demonstrate trust and non-violent intent, a perception that would either encourage nonviolence from Savryn, or spur her to attack an unprotected adversary, depending on her purpose. Naturally, Sabreíl had other defenses outside traditional steel weaponry, and therefore the woman was never truly ‘unarmed,’ yet the loss of her weapons still left her feeling a bit more bare than usual.
Sabreíl made the conscious decision to make her own personal growth a focus again: her strength had been made secondary to Jera’s development, and the girl had made great strides, but this situation with a new Marru'Khyran agent made the woman realize that her own development was still just as important. When this visit in Tamryn was over, Sabreíl resolved to get back to work in earnest, perhaps even by seeking out others of more varied skills to again begin building the ranks of SOL: their experience and abilities would undoubtedly spur further personal growth as well as increase the Intercessor's network of allies.
Sabreíl smiled sadly to herself, still turned away from Jera: so many considerations, so many plans, and yet the woman struggled to see a clear path lain out before her. Her confusion wasn’t something she ever let Jera see, but it was present nonetheless, and it seemed to amplify as time marched inevitably on. The woman couldn’t help but feel as though she was waiting for something: some event or occurrence that would show her a new way forward. Sabreíl knew that the idea was foolish, of course, but it lingered in her mind nonetheless. She shook her head lightly and steeled her expression back to pleasant neutrality: now was not the time to worry – there were other, more pressing matters at hand.
Turning back to Jera, the Nephilim would wait patiently for the girl to ready herself and then move toward the door, escorting her young charge down the inn’s stairs and into the restaurant area below. Once through the doorway, Sabreíl would observe the room carefully, and wait patiently to see if Jera would be able to spot their intended dinner guest.
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Post by Jera on Apr 27, 2015 18:21:57 GMT -5
Jera rolled over almost instantly at her teacher's touch, sitting up and blinking away the sleep.
"It's time?"
The young Halfblood could barely keep the excitement out of her voice. Obviously Savryn had left quite an impression on the young girl if she was anticipating seeing her again enough to wake up with no difficulty. Jera paused just long enough to stretch before reaching up to loosen the twine binding the thick braid of white hair at her back. Once freed both hands were used to gently break up the long creases in her hair into waves. To be fair, though the girl's hair was quite long leaving it loose in that manner actually made her appear slightly older― which may or may not have been a factor she'd considered in preparing to see Savryn again.
Jera hopped off the side of the bed and stripped away the slightly too-large long-sleeved blouse she'd worn all day, opting instead for the sky-blue hooded tunic she'd purchased just before she'd met Savryn in the tanner's shop. The color reminded her of Savryn's eyes and the thought made the corners of her lips curve upward. Golden eyes peered at her reflection in the slightly tarnished mirror while Sabreíl did whatever it was she was doing: Jera wasn't really paying attention. The Halfblood adjusted the hood until it fell attractively and pulled down the sleeved over the tops of her gloves before turning to the side― presumably to check the fit of the tunic but more likely to make sure her butt was still as curvy as she'd noticed in the shop earlier. A quick glance downward made her realize she'd not taken her boots off to nap and her lips thinned a little in response. Well, nothing could be done about it now. Besides, her tummy was starting to grumble a little.
"I'm ready!"
Jera peered up at Sabreíl before checking her reflection one more time and shaking her fingers through the thick of her fringe so the face-framing layers fell just so to lessen the marks on either side of her face. Very shortly after she crossed the room to move through the open door the former Oracle held for her and start descending the stairs. The Halfblood spotted Savryn almost immediately and turned excitedly to Sabreíl, careful to keep her voice low.
"There she is! Over there, the lady with the white hair. She's got a drink already. I hope she hasn't been waiting long!"
Without really asking for permission Jera scooted pretty quickly down the rest of the stairwell and made a beeline for Savryn. Once she was within earshot, she slowed down a little and sidled up to the table she'd chosen.
"Hi!" She greeted the older woman shyly, a faint tinge of color filling her cheeks prettily.
"I'm glad you came, Savryn."
Jera couldn’t stop herself from biting her lower lip, and immediately wishing she hadn't. Both pointed eyeteeth were visible for a fraction of a second before the flush on her features deepened and her eyes dropped to the floor a little self-consciously. . .
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Post by Alissia Syrkhan on Apr 30, 2015 11:43:11 GMT -5
Alissia caught sight of Jera as the girl was rapidly approaching her table, and in a move that was none-too graceful, the Marru'Khyran agent suddenly stood, bumping the table so hard that she nearly knocked her drink over. Alissia wasn’t paying attention to her drink: however – her light eyes were fixed on Jera, who, with her hair down, looked quite a bit older than she had when Alissia had met her earlier that afternoon. The woman couldn’t help but smile warmly at the girl and her enthusiasm, the upturn of her lips immediately filling her eyes with genuine warmth. That girl had been on Savryn’s radar for less than a day, and already she had become one of the most endeared people to the Dra’sen daughter, a fact that certainly hadn’t escaped Alissia’s notice.
”Me too, Jera: it’s great to see you again.”
Alissia looked past the excited girl and her smile dropped to an expression more resembling awe as her eyes tracked upward, tracing the body of the woman behind Jera all the way to her face, which was positioned more than a few heads above Alissia’s own. The woman’s height was imposing: Alissia had heard mention of the redheaded Intercessor as a ‘giant’, but she had always assumed that it was the common exaggeration associated with great fighters. The woman, in an instant, had be proven extremely wrong: Sabreíl must have been well over seven feet tall, and that meant that Alissia felt like she was straining her neck trying to meet the woman’s eyes.
Alissia stopped straining for a moment and bowed her head forward in a gesture of formal, respectful greeting before looking back up, her hands instinctively clasping behind her body in a militaristic at-ease stance, a habit learned during her days in the Peacekeeper’s Alliance.
”Intercessor – greetings. I appreciate that you are willing to meet with me: the Emperor has always spoken extremely highly of you to me, and I am honored to meet you.”
Alissia made a point of keeping her voice low, so as not to allow it to be picked up by the patrons at surrounding tables. Luckily, it was still early enough that the Inn’s tavern was still fairly empty, so there were not too many people nearby who could overhear their conversation. The Syrkhan daughter had weighed the wisdom of mentioning the Emperor and using Sabreíl’s honorific title in mixed company, and in the end she had decided that the respect and ceremony was worth the discretionary risk.
Alissia would wait for both the women to speak in response before gesturing to the table between them.
”Please, have a seat. Would either of you like a drink?”
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Post by Sabreíl on Apr 30, 2015 12:00:02 GMT -5
Sabreíl easily kept up with Jera as she darted across the room, having spotted her new friend on the other side of the Tavern floor. The woman's long strides made it a simple matter to keep pace with her hurrying student, and that meant that Sabreíl had enough time and focus to get a good look at their dinner guest before actually reaching the table.
I don’t think she’s just a Marru'Khyran agent. You are likely correct: while many within the Capitol do share similar characteristics, the resemblance to Corvaelan is rather uncanny.
Sabreíl moved in a cool, calm way to come to stand across the table from the abruptly risen Savryn with a pleasantly neutral expression, indicating that she was reserving judgment on the woman opposite for the time being, yet the woman raised an eyebrow as Savryn addressed her by her former title, and smiled in spite of herself when she heard how ‘highly’ the Emperor apparently had spoken of her. As Savryn stopped speaking, Sabreíl extended her right arm across the table, offering to shake the woman’s hand as she replied to her greeting.
“I didn’t think the Emperor took to kindly to the way I left: certainly not kindly enough to allow me to retain the title of ‘Intercessor.’ “
Sabreil would shake the woman’s hand firmly, but offer her a warm smile to draw some of the seriousness out of her words.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Savryn. Jera tells me you two met earlier this afternoon and bonded over legends of dragon descendence.”
The redheaded woman smiled pointedly as she withdrew her hand, and would take the seat opposite Savryn when offered, carefully situating her tall limbs so that she could sit upright and still be comfortable in fitting her legs under the table. Once she was situated, and she had ensured that Jera had done the same, Sabreíl carefully folded her hands together on the tabletop in front of her and examined the white-haired woman opposite her carefully.
“I’ll have a scotch, certainly. Jera?”
Sabreil would wait for her charge to pick a drink before continuing to address the Marru'Khyran agent.
“So, Savryn: what is it we can do for you?”
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Post by Jera on May 4, 2015 20:48:17 GMT -5
Jera pretty quickly raised her eyes to meet Savryn's when she replied― her echoing affirmation encouraged her smile to warm up even more. The Halfblood watched as Savryn's gaze moved past her to land on Sabreíl and shifted to what resembled wonder to the young girl. Jera couldn't quite keep her brows from furrowing as she herself turned to eye the former Intercessor somewhat disapprovingly, as if the redheaded giantess had become taller specifically to claim all of Savryn's attention. She continued to watch, not realizing she was biting the inside of her lip as her expression fell to something much more muted in light of Savryn's admiration.
Her eyes dropped to the floor for the second time in as many minutes after the snow-haired woman spoke and mentioned the Emperor. No matter where Jera went, everyone she was surrounded by had something to do with Marru'Khyr. Her father had worked for the Emperor and then abandoned her in the middle of a Forest to "learn" with a woman who had also worked for the Emperor. And Savryn was on a special mission from the Emperor. Was there anything in life not connected to that damn country?
Jera fidgeted.
Sabreíl's reply made the Halfblood glance up at her. She hadn't remembered her teacher talking about leaving Marru'Khyr beyond that she had or ever hinting that maybe she hadn't left under the best of terms. Jera wondered if that was why Sabreíl had been so quiet when she told her about Savryn and if that was what she meant by having a 'complicated' relationship with the Emperor. The girl's thoughts were interrupted when the former Oracle mentioned her and those golden eyes immediately looked to meet sky blue.
"Sabreíl said the Emperor isn't descended from dragons."
Her expression was more than mildly accusatory as she eyed the redhead sidelong― the cant to her head to achieve such a thing was comical to watch though Jera was obviously very invested and serious about giving the former Oracle major side-eye. Though now they were talking about drinks and the Halfblood was distracted. She didn't want scotch― whatever that was, it was probably gross anyway. Bright eyes flickered from Savryn's drink on the table back to Savryn and even though it was pretty clear there was no way Jera could know what it was the other white-haired woman was drinking it didn't stop her from responding fairly quickly.
"I'll drink whatever you're having, Savryn."
The flush that filled her cheeks earlier left a faint wash of color as she maneuvered to claim the seat directly next to the older woman, carefully avoiding Sabreíl's observant stare as she did so.
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