When Life hangs in the Balance...

[BadInfluence]

There wasn't much to avoid today, the fact was that they couldn't wait any longer, the strain was becoming too much and if they tried to give the babies more time, they could lose the mother or vice verse. She was nervous admittedly but there was no way not to be, this was a big surgery, four lives were on the line and one wrong move could end them all. She'd gotten up early, incredibly well refreshed, a bit sore but otherwise the most relaxed in body she had ever been. What had happened last night? She remembered bits and pieces but nothing concrete, mostly just a very satisfied sensation but she had a feeling, something nagging... Something telling her she might want to ask Gia for some help in remembering... Something important had happened... What? She couldn't say... She just knew there was something to remember...



Dressed in scrubs, her hair pulled back tight under a medical hat, mask and gloves on she was prepping the room for surgery, Sybelle was dead asleep as was Sydel on the other side of the room... No one to talk to... She sort of preferred that in the moment... It was all so serious... So heavy... She had two incubators ready on the side, prepped up and running to handle the small lives, one of them enchanted to be as womb like as possible... That one for the smallest fetus, the child that had somehow been transferred from Sydel into Sybelle, putting the lives of every fetus at risk... She wanted to save everyone but she knew this time she couldn't... Sybelle was at the end of her life and after these children were born that would be it for her... She would fade and go on to join Hanali... Her main focus was the lives inside of her, to try and ensure each child made it, that they survived... Though statistically? And she had run the numbers... The odds of that were beyond miniscule... She knew, at the very best, she'd perhaps save one...



She'd go over to Sybelle and Sydel each in turn, making sure that the Iv's were hooked up properly and thanks to Gia she had some incredibly good pain medication on hand, ensuring both of them were as comfortable as possible... She began to lay out the tools, sets of twenty or so each, it was always better to have too many than not enough... Forceps, clamps and spreaders, dozens of pre-threaded needles for stitches... Suction tools, kidney trays, bins for the afterbirth... If it was needed? It was there... Lights of course were brought in too, large domed like saucers that looked like upturned bowls with incredibly bright lights within, able to illuminate the area with extreme ease... She wasn't sure what else there was to do, everything was ready to go, they were really just waiting on the men to come in, to get all scrubbed up to be present... There would be goodbyes said today and not much time to do them so she wanted to be sure those who needed to say farewell were present.



It was a nurse who told her someone was waiting outside to be let in, a brow raised as she went to the door to see Daetaru there, quite the ah... Fuller figure than she had been before. "Hey Taru, everything ok?" She'd ask, giving her a gown and a mask, telling her to scrub up before she'd let her in, the area had to be sanitized for the newborns after all... Little things had no immune system, even something like a sneeze could possibly kill them if it were from a cold or perhaps the flu, so she was taking no chances...



Taru: Hey, how is everything looking so far?



Rose: Well... As well as can be expected really. Sybelle did a great job considering her situation... Did you just come in to chat?



Taru: What? Yeah... Sorry no just... We might have a complication.



Rose: What? What happened? Didn't the hormone treatment work? No offence but it looks like it did, your breasts appear very full after all, are you not lactating?



Taru: Uh... Well...



Rose: Spit it out Taru, please? This is serious if you're not lactating then I need to get a wet nurse here asap or the baby wont make it.



Taru: No! No no I mean I'm lactating just fine, it's been coming in really rich and I'm keeping to the diet you told me about, it's not that at all.



Rose: Oh thank God... Dammit woman you almost gave me a heart attack!



Taru: Sorry about that! -laughs a bit-



Rose: So whats the problem then? Are your nipples hurting? I have some ointment you can apply to help with that if that's the issue?



Taru: No no, nothing like that, everything in working order. No the thing is... I'm late.



Rose: Uh? Honey no you're actually about two hours too early...



Taru: No, Rose, like... I'm Late... Late late...



Rose: What do yo- Oh... Oh... OH! Oh Shit!



Taru: Yeah...



Rose: But... But how?! You've been taking your monthly haven't you?



Taru: Oh yeah, like clockwork, never missed a dose.



Rose: Then ho-... Wait a second... Oooh... Oh crap... Hey... How late are you?



Taru: Like... Two weeks?



Rose: Ah... Yeah... And you started the hormone therapy a month ago... So it looks like the hormones to bring your milk in for the baby sort of screwed your birth control up.



Taru: Yeah, I figured as much... I thought at first it was just you know, the chances with my milk coming in and all that, but when my period didn't show up for over a week...



Rose: Yeah no, I get it... Um... Ok come over here behind the screen and take a seat for me? I'll do a quick scan and see what's going on. If you are we might have to find a wet nurse after all, your milk might dry up but that's ok, I want you to stop taking the hormones if you are.



Taru: Uh sure sure... You're not going to tell Garafin are you?



Rose: What? No! That's your blessing to share Taru, honestly. I'd not tell a soul.



The two of them then went behind the screen and she had Taru lay out on the table, arms above her head a bit and still, lifting her shit up she began the scan. She'd picked it up from Jacob doing it on her, she'd learned the spell, the intricacies of it and refined it... Put her own spin on it... It took her a moment... Perhaps two to find it since they were quite little still, hardly started really but once she located them she just sort of paused, blinking in shock. "Taru, honey... I'd say you got a bit more than we bargained for..." She said as she pulled the image up from her belly, a sort of 3D screen forming in the air, and once it was up? Taru would see that there were two little lives growing in there, both in the same embryo sack so she had a pair of identical twins starting to form, just little balls right now but... There they were...



Taru: Wait... Hold on... Is that...



Rose: Ah huh...



Taru: Those are...



Rose: Yep.



Taru: Two..



Rose: You got it.



Taru:.... Fuck.



Rose: Well honey that's usually what comes from partying naked.



She said that with a laugh and helped Taru sit up on the table, she could see she was in shock so she easily handed her a carton of orange juice before she sat her down in the other room, helping her out of her shirt because yeah... Taru was definitely a bit shaken. She'd help her slip into a nursing gown, something cute with easy detached fronts so she could breastfeed, helping her by braiding her hair too while she was at it. "It's one hell of a shock I know but it's good news... Garafin loves children, he always wanted a big family after all, you're just happening to be giving him everything he's ever dreamed of. Looking at how it goes I think you can breastfeed just fine until the babe weans off and onto bottles without risking your pregnancy. We want to take you off the hormones though, move you to a much smaller dose so that we find a happier balance... For right now though? I need you to relax, your babies need a stress free mama and when this new baby comes in, he or she is going to need you calm and comforting ok? If you need I'll bring Garafin in too so he can help calm you down ok? Just let me know what you need..."



Garafin would be requested then and because of that she shifted the room about a bit with the help of the staff on hand, putting a couch into the room as well as a somewhat bigger bed for them to relax on, the babe would need to have at least a day to settle before they could head home to ARvandor again...

[Deleted]

He had woken feeling incredibly good.. like better than he even expected was possible..his mind was clear and his actions were sharp and focused.. he slipped back up into his room.. taking a shower..sliding on some casual gear.. going to pop his glasses on.. though that was a pointless gesture.. his eyesight was worse for it.. no longer needing the help.. he placed those aside and made his way back down toward the medical wing..a comb back through his hair though he would soon step into a pair of scrubs.. his arms scrubbed up beyond his elbows as he stepped through the swing doors.. the room was lit up brightly.. he glanced toward the three beds.. Sydel resting in one.. Sybelle in the other.. and then Taru in one closer to the door.. out of the way.. just patiently waiting.. he offered a smile.. a little nod of his head.. -.. Is everything set up?.. -he would glance down over the tools laid out upon the stainless tables.. it all seemed in order.. though what would happen was anyones guess.. what they were about to do was an incredibly tricky manoeuvre.. and one he feared was about go really very badly.. he watched as she set up those IV's.. - Just saline for Sydel.. the pain killers wont do her any good.. her body is too fast acting.. it's a pointless exercise.. -they had been in similar positions before.. you could set Sydel up on permanent pain medicaton and drain through enough to kill an army and it would barely take an edge off the woman.. she was for all intents and purposes Dead afterall.. he moved to Sybelles side.. his hand was warm as it came down to rest upon her forehead.. - Time to wake up Sybelle.. we are going to begin once everyone has entered..



Sybelle: -she would stir.. blink a little before opening her eyes properly.. a quiet yawn covered by an arm tugging on a few wires and plugs.. she glanced up to Jacob there.. focusing before she would nod a little.. it was clear she was nervous in the way she exhaled.. -.. I want you to know.. ive really enjoyed getting to know you Jacob.. Im really proud of you.. like.. really very proud of the man you have become.. -a few tears were beginning to tumble down the sides of her face-


Jacob: -he offered her a calming smile-.. You charmed us all Sybelle.. Dont worry.. you are in very.. very good hands.. Rose here is going to take the lead.. -he lightly dabbed her tears away -..and we will never.. ever be far away.. -she was a rare specimen.. Sybelle.. and someone who he would always have looked up to.. even if she was a little aloof at times.. he stepped away.. letting Rose continue to set up and check all the vitals etc.. he slipped across the room to Sydel.. looking down to her there.. -.. not your first rodeo.. you ready for this?.. You dont look real good.. -he looked concerned.. his blue green gaze wandered over his Mothers features.. the slightly sunken eyes.. no rest had been taken clearly.. -


Sydel: -was just staring up at the ceiling.. no movement.. she could have been dead to anyone that didn't know her.. she didnt even flinch when the IV needle was slid into her cool skin.. nothing.. zero response.. the monitor though would show she was still there.. a gentle hum of an almost non existent heart beat.. but.. it was there.. she blinked slowly.. turning her gaze to her son-.. I'm fine, and ready when you are.. -she uttered quietly.. turning her gaze back to the ceiling as she listened.. her fingers rested atop her frame.. clutched between her fingers a folded square of paper.. but if anyone even dared try to move it they'd be met with an iron grip.. -


Jacob: -he nodded a little.. exhaling as he turned back to Rose.. -.. We will just wait for the gentlemen to enter.. then we will begin

[Deleted]

It had been quite a treck.. getting to this place.. he hadn't really spent a lot of time on the surface , there was no reason to come here.. mostly it was in Arvandor and then travelling through the plans of the other words it was connected to.. but.. this time.. it was necessary.. his little girl was about to enter the world and that was worth a treck to the other side of the planet itself..The trip over was easy.. Taru was a seasoned traveller.. she made sure they were set up and organised.. and she made it all seem so effortless..Nautilous had set them up in a private room off to the side.. and this was the day.. it was all about to happen.. and he was stuck in this nervous/excited cycle.. his poor heart was beating a mile a minute.. he just wanted to get in there but no.. he had to be scrubbed up first.. he had to be 'cleaned' and have gloves on and a mask and special clothing that made him look like a smurf.. but.. he'd do it a million times over.. finally he just about crashed through the doors when he was given the ok.. still sliding one of the gloves on in a rather awkward way but he got there in the end.. all smiles.. he was always so happy it was rare to see him down about anything.. but especially today.. he apologised for his loud entrance though.. holding his hands out.. palms up-.. sorry.. so so sorry.. -he grit his teeth a little and slipped off quickly to sit beside Taru on the bed there-..

[BadInfluence]

"Yes Doctor." She said confidently as she made sure everything was proper and up to standards, she'd gone over everything at least three times if not more so, having extra items set up incase of the unexpected. She'd been preparing the drugs for another round, something to make the go of it a lot more manageable, only hearing for Sydel it was all going to be saline. A brow rose for just a moment though she'd not argue at all. "Alright then, just saline. Should I warm the bag?" It helped with people who ran warm blooded but Sydel was not quite to that level, she was entirely unique, a specimen unknown... It might bring her comfort... Or it might drive her nuts... She'd go with what was advised and it was then she caught the moment with Sybelle and Jacob. She couldn't really imagine what was going on between them. What sort of an emotional storm brewing because this was Jacobs mother and that... Sort of struck home a bit.

Coming over to Sybelle as Jacob would go over to Sydel she looked over the vitals on the charts, nothing looked good honestly but she didn't expect it to, this was not an ideal operation or circumstances but there was little to be done about it. She adjusted the medical flow, targeting the lower half of her body, from about the ribcage down. She'd feel no incision or anything of the sort, nor would she see anything as a curtain was raised over her belly, removing any traumatic sight that might occur. "It's ok Sybelle... Maybe... A little more than anyone else here outside of Sydel, I know what it feels like, how scary it can be..." She reached down to take her hand, giving it a warm squeeze, stroking along the back of it gently. "It doesn't hurt... This will just be a very warm sensation of floating, like your on the sparkling sea, the sun on your face... You won't hear us, just the sounds of gentle waves lapping, seagulls overhead..." It was a gentle illusion spell, combined with the medications left by Gia she could ensure that the transition from life to death was warm and gentle, an embrace versus a drop... She also made sure Hanali was waiting in the wings through their connection, ready to take that spirit into her arms, a companion and help mate in love for all of Arvandor.





It was almost too much.

His world was in a state of chaos it had never encountered before. Blood, death and mayhem had been his companions when life began to twist him up inside but that was no longer the case, random killing sprees could no longer plaster the wounds of his mind. Gia had shown him so much in less than twenty four hours, that on top of the pain of Sydel lying to him about so many things once more, and now... Now he was about to say Goodbye to his little lavender cloud, the woman who had brought that first bit of light into his life, a glimmer of warmth in his storm tossed existence... She had become a very dear friend too over their years, their passion for each other had cooled in a way, they were not suited for each other in a romantic sense but that did not mean they had not become fast and stalwart companions... And he? Was going to be saying goodbye for the first and last time... He had so much guilt too, things he wanted to say but wouldn't, he'd never allow himself to burden her last moments with hard truths... As it was the only soul outside of himself and Caela who knew? Was Gia... No one had a clue but him...

"Hello, my little sunflower..." He had come into the room but far from wearing scrubs, that shit was just far too blase for him, but he did consent to the mask and gloves. His clothes were clean, new, he bore no bacteria or viruses... His clothes were obviously mourning clothes though, for Sybelle he wore black and nothing but from head to toe and nothing but cotton, no fancy silk or flashes of precious metals... Just simple... Dark... Plain. The glamor was back in full force though, flawless and perfect as ever he came in to stand by her bedside, taking his turn after Rose had made her assurances. "Hey there my little Sunflower..." He said with a warm smile, bringing out a single blossom, bright as the name it took... He'd wrap her hands around it gently so she could look at it, let it fill her vision so the various IVs and tech were out of her sight, hopefully a happy distraction. "Are you excited for this next adventure?... Getting to be the held mate of the Goddess you've worshiped your whole life. I'm almost jealous." His hands stroked through her hair, pulling it to the side a bit for her, braiding it gently over her shoulder as they spoke in warm hushed voices. "I'll pop up to see you from time to time too if you don't mind... Let you know how the kids are, what trouble they're getting up to, because we both know they will always be getting into something..." He was doing all he could in the moment, in his current state, to bolster her up... Make it all seem less like a death and more like just a happier transition into a new place of existence...

He would lean down and kiss her forehead so gently, pulling her in for that last hug before he had to take his leave, knowing that Diovan would want his time with his wife and his beloved before the work began. He would cross the room to Sydel then, shock on his face for just how bad she looked, he had never once seen her look so run down... Haggard... And he had seen her in some pretty rough shape. "Princess..." He said softly as he took a seat beside her, pulling a chair up to the side of it, his hands finding hers... Holding them with an almost vicious desperation... His head coming to rest atop her cool hands. He felt like hell... His heart, mind, and soul were all being put through the wood chipper. What was right and what was wrong, what was good for him and what was not, what would help him heal and become a complete person versus what had been his life for well over a decade... "I'm right here..." And he was... Always would be when she needed him...





What had happened last night? He couldn't remember. All he knew was he woke up this morning with no clear memory of how he had gotten there, at all. Given his bad run with drugs he had to say this wasn't the first time but it did make him nervous all the same, this sort of thing wasn't an enjoyable experience, but then again he felt pretty damn amazing... Or he had been until the day actually dawned on him... He was up in a flash and pulling on what ever was laid out for him, running down the stairs and into the medical room, halted by nurses where he scrubbed up and put on those robes and what not. He was in the room moments later and saw that Nautilous was saying his goodbyes before he himself came over to her side and took the offered seat, his hands linking with hers, holding them close... What to say? Honestly? He had no words... He'd lost her once before... Now he was loosing her all over again... Her and possibly their baby too, he knew there was a chance for it, something that yanked at his gut... All he could do was just hold her, rubbing the back of her hand and kissing her knuckles, her fingers and stroking her arm around the various tubes and monitor hook ups.





"Relax you old fart..." She said to him as she saw the way he looked like dead man walking. Literally. She had been doing this sort of travel for years, the trip over was smoother than melted butter on silk and she was glad she could make it so easy for Garafin, she just wished she could make this part easy for him too. If he was this wacked up over a baby? What the hell was he going to do when he found out a year from now he was going to have two more? He was going to freaking flip. She was smiling for him though and moved over on the somewhat bigger bed, making sure there was room for him to sit down, patting the side as a sign for him to do just that. "You ready to hold your little girl?" She'd ask, watching him curiously as she idly plucked the edge of the sheet over her legs, her tits were caneing like a bitch and she figured it was nerves and knowing soon she'd be having a baby in her arms... Yeah... She was still sort of freaking out about that. She'd never even been near a baby, let alone held one, and here she was... About to be a mum. "Did you think of any names? We've been so busy making sure we had everything for her I don't think we got to that point." She realized with a bit of a laugh before she'd let herself relax against the pillows. "Crazy though... Like... We've been preparing but... The days here now... Like in less than an hour I'm going to be holding our baby..."

It was still more a dream than reality but that was all going to change soon. Less than an hour... Her life was going to change forever. She hoped she'd bond with the little one, she had no idea how she would be as a mom, or if she could even cut it. Garafin had raised Jacob on his own for the most part, she knew he was well aware of how to be an amazing dad... But this wasn't one sided anymore. They were partners and it blew her mind that in what... Like... Four months now? They'd be getting married... Well... If they decided to get married after their year was up... She hoped so... Cause she'd start to show not long after that. Yeeeesh yeah... She felt her hand come up and rest over her belly for just a moment, still in shock, likely would be for a long time... "Maybe... You know... Later on... When we're settled... We will have some of our own?... If I can crack it as a mum I think it would be pretty amazing to have a big family... Like... Maybe eight or nine kids?... Round it up to ten for good measure..." She said. Worse case? He'd look at her like she was mad but it would get his mind off of some of the less fun things, best case he'd be ecstatic and his mind would still be on better things.





Everyone was set up... Everyone who needed to arrive was here, settled at their respective bedsides, the lights and gear were ready... She had, to the best of her ability, set everything up properly... But still this was... Insane... She had such a phobia about child birth and here she was, performing a c-section in a far less than ideal situation, the fatality factors were so high... There was no way this was going to go perfectly, where mum and all the babes survived, just no chance in hell... No one could pull of that miracle. "Alright... Let's begin." She said, taking a deep breath and while she was chaos on the inside, exterior wise she was serene and confident... Taking up the scalpel she would begin the incision, being sure not to go too deep in the thin skin, not wanting to knick the forehead of one of the babes. She knew the largest one was pressing up the hardest, the healthiest would be delivered first thankfully, staff on hand to clean her up and cut the cord before the baby would be delivered to it's surrogate mother...

The other two were going to be hell...

The incision was long and smooth, gently sliding her fingers into the opened womb she checked the babies neck first, ensuring there was no umbilical cord around it before she'd slowly... Carefully ease her out, rump first as she was with her back to the outer wall so to speak, freeing her within a few moments... Healthy... Pink... A shock of bright white hair... thick as all get out too... She suctioned the nose, the mouth, did a sweep to ensure there was nothing in there... No meconium present in the waters or on the babe... She'd clamp the umbilical cord before it was snipped and the baby was bundled up in a warm blanket and set to be weighed and measured, checked for any unusual heart beats or odd breathing... The second babe though... As soon as she slid her hand in to retrieve the little boy she knew he was a stillbirth... Much smaller than the other she knew he had been struggling from the get go, perfectly normal for twins in the womb and Sybelle was incredibly tiny, but still... Her heart dropped and she felt like she was going to cry... She bit the shit out of her lip to stop it, gently easing the little boy out, hair dark as his fathers... But so very peaceful looking, like he had fallen asleep in the womb and just didn't want to wake up, wrapping his little body in another warm towel as the cord was cut... This one did not get weighed or measured, rather he was taken to a side room to be bathed and set aside in his own bassinet... To be mourned and then to be buried in Arvandor next to his other brother and sisters who had been miscarried in the garden of memories...

The last one... Hardly fit in her hand... It was hardly more than three months along in the gestation period, likely less than that really and it had just started to become to look humanoid, but it was gone... Had been for a little while now... She grit her teeth and gently snipped the cord herself on this one, it struck too damn deep personally, handing the small bundle off to the nurses... She began to clear out the afterbirth, the amniotic sack and the like, ensuring there was nothing left inside to cause infection or disease... Slowly beginning to stitch her back up with neat little lines, set internally so there would be no outward lines, minimal scarring... She knew Sybelle was fading... She could hear her heart rate slowing, the blood flow was weak, the skin growing paler... Sybelle was never going to make this one she knew but... She still felt a failure... Still felt the same stark pain and terror as she had with little Maria... All the same though she soldiered on, finished up before Sybelle was completely gone, and began to remove everything... Taking down the privacy curtain and pulling her nightgown down once more, removing all the monitors and Iv's outside of the one for pain, having all that equipment moved away... She'd strip off her gloves and come to sit on the opposite side of the bed by her, taking her hand in hers as she held it, knowing she couldn't talk... But she could hear...

"Look for Hanali... You see her there?... She's glowing a warm golden light... She's reaching out for you Sybelle, she's been waiting for you for a long time now, you've been her biggest supporter and her favorite Paramoure... See her hand?" She said, slowly easing her into death, ramping up the pain meds so that the warmth she spoke of would be felt, the gentle slowing of her heart bit by bit... The feeling of floating on warm ocean waves... "Take it... It's ok... We're all ok Sybelle... You can go... Live in the stars and help lovers all over find each other... Tell a million stories... Help create hundreds of fairy tales... There you go... See?... It's so soft and warm... Floating on sunshine..." She knew it was going... Sybelle was fading faster, but she also knew Hanali was in the room, waiting patiently and with a smile for Sybelle to reach out and take her hand... To go with her to that special place... And in her arms? Was the baby that had been stillborn but Hanali? Had captured him before he moved on elsewhere, a playmate for her own child when it was born, and a gift for Sybelle... A mother to mother... "Your baby is there... See him?... He's got his fathers dark hair... You did so wonderful Sybelle... You lived a life so good, so rich with us that we can't be sad... We know you'll always be close to us, watching out for us, keeping us safe... And we're all going to live life as best we can so you always smile looking over us..."

And with that... She knew it was over... The light was gone, faded, the heart had stilled in it's final beat and the lungs let go of that final breath... The baby that had lived, the little girl was cleaned up and handed over to Daetaru to nurse, the new parents kept aside in their own little nook... Instructions and guidance to help breast feed was given, walking her through it so she could find the way that worked best for her and her baby, different holds shown and the like... Luckily though it had all gone off without a hitch, the milk came in rich and fast and the baby rutted and latched on quickly, a good sign that the baby was healthy and the supply was good...

And she herself? Left the room for a bit, gone into a smaller sort of side room, used for storage it was a bit tight but... Quiet... She fell into one of the chairs and just stared out at nothing, in shock and more than a bit numb, her heart was throbbing but she felt like she were encased in ice...

[Deleted]

Sybelle: she'd turn her head when she heard his voice, it was almost as if it were coated in honey.. or her head was stuck beneath the water.. it was muffled but she would have known it anywhere.. her gaze.. that strong blue and green was watching and listening to Rose until he came into view.. she offered what could be seen as a sleepy smile.. -.. nervous.. and a little sad.. -she bit back a trembled lower lip but took a strangled breath to push it back..that kind of emotion wasn't needed here now.. there was too much else going on..her lids half closed when she felt him braiding her hair.. -.. I hope so.. ill be waiting.. -the kiss to her forehead made her sigh..made her squint her eyes closed a little bit tighter.. she felt another set of hands upon hers.. and would look to see Diovan..offering him a smile as she let their fingers intertwine.. he said nothing.. so she.. said nothing.. -


Sydel: she remained still.. perfectly still.. she was practically a statue.. though she listened to everything that was happening.. not afforded the luxury of drugs to make her foggy and numb.. the room smelt clinical.. chemicals and cleaners.. it was cold but then again so was she.. she could hear the conversation between Taru and Garafin.. between Rose and Jacob.. though when she hear Nautilous an Sybelle her heart just about shattered.. her eyes twitched a little.. she felt his heat before she caught a glimpse of him in her line of sight.. his hands were hot in comparison to hers.. resting there just atop.. she closed her eyes when he called her princess.. feeling his forehead come down to rest there would be when she moved.. just a little.. just enough so her hand rose.. fingers soft and cool would cradle against the back of his neck.. -.. Im sorry.. -she whispered.. 2 words.. barely audible.. but spoken with perhaps more honesty than she had ever.. ever used before.. she listened as Rose stepped into get things started.. the medicines.. the pain killers and magical energies in the room were ramping up which meant she had a job to do.. she had to keep Belles up.. and alive for as long as she possibly could.. her body would stiffen on that table..


Sybelle: her heart rate would pick up twice.. giving it a moment.. before it would inevitably settle into something strong.. healthy.. Sydel having assumed control.. funnelling what energy she had left into the body that was being cut open.. the body that had up until then been housing children.. one of her eyes.. the blue one flashed white.. the indication Sydel was there.. she watched as best she could.. though nothing was being said to her.. no one was letting her know what was happening.. she looked confused.....blanketed bundles were being carried away.. one.. and then another.. she could feel her energy fading.. she was dropping in and out a bit.. feeling woosey.. light headed..


Jacob: He was watching it all unfold before him.. every little detail with a keen eye.. the tools used.. the amount of mediation administered and the bedside manner.. everything seemed to go perfectly.. well.. as best as it could be given the outcome.. Baby number 1 looked perfect.. weight and vitals were right on the chart where they should have been.. Baby number 2 had probably passed a day or two prior.. his colouring was not terribly good.. and Baby number 3.. well.. that was a huge gamble from the start.. he knew better than to give false hopes in that regard.. He could see Rose was failing though.. the shift in her shoulders.. the staggered breath.. he reached across.. his hand resting upon her shoulder-.. you're excused Rose.. it's ok.. go.. get some air.. -he said softly.. his voice was reassuring.. he didn't want her to think failure was a bad thing.. especially in this regard it wasn't.. she just wasn't quite at a point where she needed to be to handle it all.. and he knew she needed to take some time.. to regroup.. to get some composure before she would be allowed back.. he stepped in to make sure the equipment was drawn away.. the curtains pulled back.. Hanali his goddess was in attendance.. the honour of such was immense.. it was incredible.. his hand rose to his heart as he bowed his head.. he would always be a paramour.. till his dying breath.. but he would also be listening out for those machines.. he was afterall a doctor second..


Sydel: she continued to channel energy across.. more and more of it as Hanali came into the room to take Sybelle.. the only issue being that Belles didn't reach for her right away.. the hesitation was .. well to put it simply.. killing her.. something was keeping Belle back.. maybe she didn't want to go.. maybe she wanted to stay and be with her children.. whatever the reason it was taking longer than it should have.. her pale cool body suddenly arched on the table as her lids snapped open.. she sucked in a sharp gasped breath .. those usually white orbs of hers were suddenly invaded by a million tiny red veins.. shallow beating on the monitors.. on both the monitors..


Sybelle: she looked to the golden light ahead of her.. the arms that were reaching for her.. she could hear the voices of those around her telling her to go.. that she would live in the stars and help lovers everywhere.. to create fairy tales.. to float on that sunshine.. with her son no less.. and that was the kicker.. once she knew Hanali had her baby boy she let finally let go.. glancing toward Diovan once more.. the room suddenly took on an incredible amount of white light.. a flash that lasted little more than a milisecond.. silence from her monitor.. the body looked peaceful.. just sleeping.. eyes closed.. soft colouring in her cheeks.. an almost faint smile playing about her lips.. no movement.. no heart beat.. nothing.. she was gone


Sydel: Once Belles had finally let go her body softened.. the sharp unnatural arch was gone as she slumped back against the table.. however after that shock of white light.. the silence in the room would be interrupted by the screeching sound of her monitor.. that piercing flatline.. that folded piece of paper would be released.. the insides of her palms and fingers were stained with ink.. upon it..crudley written.. in a handwriting that was very much from the likes of a beginner..just two words.. repeated..and with obvious errors. 'im sorry' ..thats what she had been doing.. if he had gone back to his chambers he would have known that.. she'd spilt ink all over the desk trying to figure out how to do it..it didn't look hard when other people did it.. why did she find it so difficult.. her frustration and determination kept her awake.. the Whole night..


Jacob: the flashing light was blinding and would have caused everyone to shield their eyes or to at the very least look away suddenly.. he'd blink more than a few times to remove the disturbance from his line of sight.. reaching to rub his head before he would hear the high pitched squeal of the second machine.. oh the horror that crept across his face.. No.. not now.. Not on his shift.. he rounded that table with a speed that shouldnt have been natural....-.. Clear back.. Clear Back.. -he demanded of anyone that was close.. getting Rose or the likes of Diovan to remove Nautilous if it needed to occur-.. Rose.. -he'd call out with authority-.. CPR.. Now.. -he wouldn't waste any time though.. reaching for the drawer beneath the table she was on pulling out the .. rather crudley designed for this time period defib.. pads placed upon her skin.. upon either side of her chest.. -.. Clear.. -he'd snap.. waiting for Rose to pull back before that sharp jolt would sound.. Sydels both stiffening from the muscle restriction.. looking to the monitor.. he nodded to Rose to commence CPR once more.. giving it a moment.. chest compression..air filling the lungs before he would repeat the process..calling out for her to clear.. a secondary shock would course through the body..-


Sydel: she wasn't expecting to slip so hard so fast.. she thought she had enough time.. enough energy to get through this.. but.. it seems she was mistaken.. just add it to the pile of errors she had already made.. whats another one right?.. her body fell flat against the cold table when her dark little heart stopped..properly stopped.. and what happens when she dies.. she ends up back at home.. back on dear Daddys doorstep.. she felt each of those jolts.. every time they shocked her it caused her to stumble.. to hit her knees upon the sharp rocky floor.. shortly after the second shock though her heart would register once more.. a soft shallow beat.. the machine no longer screeching.. just a reassuring beat.. she however was not ready to go back.. not yet.. she had business to attend to.. namely a Father to divorce.. to end all of this.. to stop all of this.. she had fucked up.. So badly.. she wasn't even sure she could come back from this.. but.. she was going to take one step..and that was to pull away from everything she had known for the last decade.. the blood and murder.. the chaos and bad behaviour.. she'd never use it as an excuse for how she treated people..she just knew she had to start somewhere.. -

[Deleted]

Oh he had a bit of a chuckle when she told him to relax.. How could he relax.. seriously?.. there was no way! this was insanity.. he was about to meet his baby girl!!he settled in closer to her.. beside her there upon the bed as he slid one arm around her back.. pulling her in that little bit tighter-.. More than ready.. I think.. I.. I dont know.. im nervous as all get out.. -he laughed a little awkwardly.. he was usually such a confident fellow.. but this had thrown him completely.. it was one thing to think about it.. over the course of a year.. but for it to actually be like.. right there.. within the hour.. like.. now.. oh he was a bit blind-sighted.. he leant over a little and pressed a kiss to the side of her head-.. names?.. mm.. no not really.. I figure we could work that out together.. when we see her.. something will come to us.. I am sure of it.. -he glanced over to watch as people were starting to fall into ther positions.. Jacob who he was incredibly proud of was off to the side supervising.. Rose ..just a perfect little pop of sunshine.. those two were perfect for each other.. he couldn't have been more pleased.. Nautilous was there.. and he felt for the guy he really did.. Diovan.. someone he hadn't seen.. well.. since he got an ear full from him on the guys weekend.. but he'd never hold a grudge.. he tilted his head when she asked if he wanted them to have kids ..like together in the future. -.. You my dear sweet buttercup are going to be a fantastic Mother.. I just know it.. any children we do have.. and I do plan on having plenty dont you worry about that.. -he shot her a wink-.. will end up being the most cheeky little energetic beans this side of the portals.. I do believe we will go grey in the first year.. in fact id put money on it.. but Ill love them all dearly.. like I love you sweet pea.. I look forward to having a nice big family with you..- he leant in to press his nose to hers just lightly as he smiled-.. im not remotely worried.. You might not pick this up right away but no one does their first time.. we have So much support though.. so many people waiting and eager to offer advice and help should we need it.. but we will go through this journey together.. hand in hand.. -he glanced up in time to see this little bundle of joy being walked over toward them.. all snuggled in a blanket.. -.. Oh my god.. Oh wow.. Oh.. this is really happening.. -he was being quiet.. purposefully.. there was a lot of things going on in the background and he didn't want to interrupt.. the rest of the room melted away for him though in that moment.. there was just her and their baby.. and thats all he needed-

[BadInfluence]

How much would this weigh on everyone? On Rose who knew the odds were not in her favor, who was perfectly aware that as this all ran down, she was going to lose at least one life... More likely two... But chances were more akin to three being lost tonight because God was not kind, God did not care about lives here on the Mortal plain, and God most certainly owed none of them a favor. He just hoped Rose could bear it up, it was a hard thing, to watch life slip from someone. Even harder when it was someone you knew... Right now though he just focused on Sybelle... "It's ok to be sad... The end of a story always is. But when you close one book, you get to pick up another one, and you never know what can lay between the covers." He said warmly, just stroking his fingers over her hand before he'd move to braid her hair, to let it rest over her shoulder. He promised to come and visit her on the other side, to check up on her, tell her all about the wild chaos that was their extended and ever growing family. "Promise, and I never break a promise. You'll love it there, once you arrive... It's one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen, even the raindy days there are beautiful, and it always smells like wildflowers." He had loved it when he was there, just the company sucked if you could get the drift, though mostly that was because she was a bit of a demanding goddess if her consort was handsome or skilled in bed. He kissed the middle of her forehead softly and ran his fingers down her cheek softly. "Don't be afraid to cry... We all love you..." And no one would judge her for a tear or two either.

He'd move over to check on Sydel then, settling in on the beside next to her, his fingers on hers... His forehead against her hand as he kissed her fingers, the back of her hand, his grip was firm and warm around her cold hand... The gentle touch as called her Princess and she was... She was always going to be his Princess and he was always going to be her battle weary and scarred Knight... "Me too baby, me too..." He got out around the lump in his throat, feeling the burn behind his closed eyes, the sting that comes with tears... "We started off so fucked up it's no surprise we ended up here... A couple of broken souls... Broken hearts... We're so busted up we can't even help put the other together anymore..." He breathed, the first tear falling, hitting the back of her hand as he pressed his lips to it hard... Taking a shudderings deep breath. "You gotta come back from this Princess... You gotta... You need to come out the other side and figure out... Who do you want to be... What you want to do... Cause this world is yours baby. It always was..." Just... Together it became a wreck... They were both insanely strong personalities, there was no real healthy give or take, no middle ground... It was either all give... Or all take... And at this point in their lives together they were both broke and bankrupt and had nothing left to give each other... The motions were there but there was no substance to it, they wanted to love each other, they wanted to do the right thing... But like trying to paint without colors, they were just dragging a brush across a blank canvass, frustrated when nothing showed...

When Hanali made her way into the room he knew it was all coming to a close and soon... The babies were delivered, a healthy girl first, followed by her stilborn son and he felt pain for their loss... But not as much as he felt when he saw his own baby delivered, hardly bigger than a handful, just starting to take shape but dead as well and he was gutted. He was racked hard by a shuddering sob, biting his knuckles as he held on, just focusing everything he had in not breaking down... That baby... Might have been the one thing to make him stay... To put his own health, wellbeing, mental and emotional care on the back burner and focus on her... But the baby... It was gone... And so was the one thing that would have tied him to this hell once more... He... He knew he had to go now... There was no way he could handle it, not with any grace or dignity, he'd likely go insane if he tried...

Looking to Hanali he watched as Sybelle held back a little bit, lingering between life and death, at least until Hanali had caught the soul of her son... It was in that moment then that Sybelle let go, moved into that other plane of existence, took her place at Hanali's side... And in that moment? There was a brilliant flash of light and Sydel seemed to go absolutely mad before the capillaries in her eyes ruptured and she flatlined. Jacob called for Rose instantly and while Jacob readied the panels Rose actually pushed him out of the way, strong for such a small thing as he stumbled away, but perhaps just in time because as soon as he caught his balance he saw Diovan stumbling towards Sydel with a look of raw horror and panic on his face. He had to catch him, to hold him back while Diovan screamed in his ear, and in those moments he was so damned glad he had put a bubble of sound blocking around Garafin and Taru with their new baby. He just grit down against Diovan, the two starting to get into it as he dragged Diovan out of the room and out of the house, out into the front yard where shit started to get ugly in a snap second.




"Don't be scared..." He only spoke after Nautilous had left to go be with Sydel, he wasn't about to share intimate moments with his brother, not right now... "We found each other before... We'll find each other again. We're soulmates Sybelle... Time can revolve a thousand times... And we'll always find each other." Next time... They might not have it so rough... Next time it might be smoother... Easier... With less sadness in her life and more courage in his... He held her hand tightly though, he refused to let her go, to let her go into this alone. He just held her close, held her as much as he could with the wires and tubes, the machines beeping away in a medical melody.

The surgery began then and he held her hand through it all, and despite the fact that Sybelle couldn't see anything around the curtain, he did his best to describe it... The first baby came out... "Ah... A little girl... Healthy with a shock of white hair just like yours as a little girl when I first met you and you were slaughtering all those billy buttons..." He said, wanting to keep it happy, keep it light... The next that came out was the little boy... His son... And he knew the moment he saw him that he was stillborn and his heart dropped out the soles of his feet but he swallowed it down, gave her hand a warm squeeze, running his thumb along the side of her hand. "There's our little boy, he's got my hair this time..." He wouldn't say that he was dead, he knew it would just gut her and right now, the last thing she needed was this pain... To know what had happened...

The third one was a shock, he had no idea one was in there, let alone who's but he knew it hadn't survived, no more than his son had... It was around that time that Hanali began to make her appearance into the room, quite a trip from Arvandor and he bowed his head, as a Ranger his orders came directly from her... He knew her face somewhat, but more than that he knew her voice and he remained silent, still... Letting her come to gather Sybelle, to take her to the heavenly place of warm lights and ever present stars in Hanali's court, where there was never any pain or sadness and she could watch over the worlds Lovers and help them find their soulmates...

Jacob had come over to relieve Rose, let her take a bit of space to herself, figuring it must have weighed really heavy on her but all in all... She had done an excellent job... Or so he figured, he had never seen a surgery like this done but it was handled with the utmost care and compassion, he knew Sybelle was treated with love and reverence through it all... The way she explained that Hanali was coming for her, that it was time to go, the next story of her life was just being written... And within a few minutes it was over... His wife was gone, over to that other side with their son and his heart shattered and he had to bite back that broken sob that was choking him, putting on a brave smile for her as he blew her a kiss goodbye... "You take my heart with you Sybelle Anikin... Always..." And just like that, there was this blinding flash of light and she was gone, and he broke down sobbing...

It was only moments later he heard a machine start screaming a flat liner and that was when he saw Sydel starting to go and he freaked it, he had already lost one today, he couldn't survive loosing both in one day. He began to make for that bed as Rose went over to it in a run to help Jacob, watching as she pushed Nautilous away from the table as she began to work, and then to be caught by his brother himself. "LET ME GO! LET ME GO YOU SON OF A BITCH!! It's YOUR FAULT! You! You fucking killed her you gods damned freak of fucking nature! YOU KILLED HER!" He was screaming in his brothers ear, pushing and grappling with him even as he was dragged outside, and once they were out? He pushed away from him only to lunge and land a square hit against his jaw and watched that pretty head snap back, feeling a moment of raw glee and pleasure as he went after him again and again, taking cheap shots to the kidneys and kicking him in the nuts, he didn't care if it was a low blow. He just wanted this mother fucker to feel the pain he did right now...







She had done the best she could but there was no way she could deny it still affected her. She was just grateful that it didn't drop her like it once had, she didn't collapse into herself and just shatter, she didn't hide from the world until the moment passed. She had taken charge, she'd gone in there and done it all perfectly, there wasn't a mistake or a wasted bit of motion or medication... But it hit her all the same when she delivered two stillborn babies... It struck home way too hard, not just because of what had happened in her youth with Marie but because of her own very recent loss, the third in a series of a hellishly bad events... This was all just heavy and hard and she had to take a moment when it was done, Jacob gently touching her shoulder, telling her she could take a breath... He'd take over while she slipped into that little storage room, falling into one of the seats as she just stared blankly at nothing, willing herself to get out of that state of mind... Forcing herself to focus, to find five blue things in the room, to count them and say what they were out loud... And once she did? She felt a bit better... A little more grounded and able to do what she needed to.



She was stepping out right as Hanali was leaving with Sybelle, a gentle wave from her to the three of them there, all before there was that blinding flash of white that made her see stars for a moment. A second later the heart monitor let out a blaring alarm that Sydel had flatlined. Nautilous was there on the side looking white as an albino ghost before she pushed him aside with more strength than she thought she originally had. He was just going to get in the way and neither she nor Jacob needed anyone hindering them, a moment was all it took for life to become death, they had no patience or time to spare for a scared spouse. Jacob didn't even get the first words out before she was already there, hands on her chest as she began to do compressions, rocking hard down as she had to ensure there was a full press or the entire motion was wasted. She only stepped back to tilt her head back and open her jaw a bit and give her the two breaths before she's do the compressions again, making room for Jacob to lay those paddles down.



A sudden shock and the body on the table jumped hard, an involuntary muscle spasm before she'd move back in and start compressions again because the heart hadn't started yet. Back to the press and release, the breaths, press and release again before Jacob hit her with another round of the paddles and that... That was when they got that weak heart beat on the monitor. She was on it a moment later, finding veins and hooking up more than just Saline this time, she began to flood her system with various substances, things to keep her metabolism from running so fast... The very same concoction that she had discovered when she was still a student under Jacob.



It would slow her overactive system so that the drugs could take effect, allowing those Drow gifts to take effect, to drop her into a state of permanent rest so long as they flowed... Right now Sydel did NOT need to wake up, instead she was forcing her into a medical coma, this way the body could heal while the mind was left blank... Allowed to process on the back burner... Subconscious but still viable... Once that was going she began to hook up several blood bags as well, knowing Sydel existed on that liquid diet she wanted to try and repair the body as much as she could but it would have to be done slowly, over time... Days or perhaps weeks but not over a month she didn't think... Not with the help she had on hand.



It was obvious she was a bit shaken herself, moving over to Sybelle where she lay, looking so sweet... Like she had fallen asleep in the sun with a sweet dream in her head... She'd slowly begin to bathe her then, rose water and glycerine being rubbed into her skin, removing the marks from needles and wires... Her hair combed out and re-braided over her shoulder, the sunflower placed on her chest with her hands folded over it, the blanket pulled up and folded so neatly... Sybelle looked like a princess as she began to lay flowers in her hair in a coronet of daisies and wild roses, sprigs of lavender and lilac... When it was done she carefully moved her into the final room that had been set up for the body, kept cool and it was filled to the brim with flowers and sweet scented candles, incense burning among the boquets. Sunlight streaming in through the windows to the place glowed... It was a beautiful room and decorated specifically for her body until it could be transported back to Arvandor.



"I gotta get out of here for a minute Jacob... Just... Outside..." She was cracking a bit... She needed to leave, to regroup, to get out of this place where death lingered like a film on her skin. She would kiss his cheek softly before she'd leave the room, tearing off the scrubs and the gloves, the booties and hat... All of it left a line behind her and left her in a pair of rolled up jean shorts she made out of a pair of Jacobs old jeans, tailored in for her smaller frame and let out for her wider hips, a white v-neck crop top her shirt and that was it. She walked barefoot out of the manse, stealing a bottle of wine and a cigarette off the bar counter on her way out to the front and to a benche near the water. Just trying to let the silence bring her some measure of inner peace... But every time she started to try to relax she heard the sound of someone hitting something... Or someone else... And after a few minutes of that she was proper fucking pissed off now and tossed the wine into the seat, the cigarette still lit between her lips as she took a hard drag and went to stalk off to find out who the fuck wa ruining her five god damned minutes of silence.



When she rounded the corner she saw that Diovan and Nautilous were going at it and it was NOT pretty. "What the FUCK do you think your doing?!" She snapped with control and authority but it wasn't enough to get into their thick heads so she went up and grabbed Diovan by the shirt collar to pull him off of his brother who didn't seem to have it in him to fight back, and Diovan was in something of a frenzy because when she pulled him off he swung at her and that hit connected hard, right along her cheek and she felt the pain explode under her eye. She staggered a minute, letting him go in shock as she touched her cheek, feeling the blood pooling from the ring that had cut her cheek open... She looked at the blood on her fingertips in shock, she couldn't believe it but then again a moment later nothing more than rage popped into her vision and she grabbed him by the hair and yanked his head back and punched him hard enough in the temple to knock him out in one solid blow, the body crumpling against her a second later. "Get yourself up and get out of here Nautilous... Go get cleaned up and then you have orders to take a bottle of whisky and food to your room and NOT COME OUT. You need to sleep. I'll handle him." She said with a jerk of her thumb to the unconscious Diovan on the ground, muttering as she toed his side with a frown, these grown ass men...



Was she nice about it? Ah hell no. She grabbed two handfuls of Diovan's shirt and proceeded to drag his dumb ass across the lawn and no, she didn't try to avoid any rocks or logs, she just dragged him over them all before she'd let him thump up the stairs. "FUCK your heavy you fatass." She panted for a moment, letting him hit the top of the stairs as she took a deep breath, taking another drag off of her cigarette before she'd put it out and resume carrying him. She'd go up a flight of stairs but no more, just dropping him into one of the empty rooms where she'd kick the door shut, pulling him onto one of the soft padded chairs... And once in there? She tied his ass up and left him there for a few minutes... Going to clean her face and apply that balm she had made for Jacob originally, oh it stung but after a little while it felt better, the wound already starting to look better... Would likely be gone in an hour... She worked the magical plain a bit and pulled out a whip and a ball gag, a hard paddle and a knife...



She laid them all out where Diovan would see them when he woke up, along with a note that said 'You fucked up and hit the Wrong Domme.' Right now? She went to go seek out the only other functioning adult in the building, that being Gia and once she found her she'd take her aside for just a few minutes, filling her in on everything that had happened...





-Earlier before Rose finds them-



The fight between the two was bloody but it wa obvious to anyone with eyes that while one occupant of that battle was very much in a frenzy, the other seemed to barely be there mentally... Blocking some of the blows but only half heartedly, most of them were able to pass through the gaps and hit the body in several cheap shots, kidneys and solar plexus were hit... Knees were targeted... Feet... Even a solid kick right to the groin which had been what dropped Nautilous to the ground where Diovan instantly pinned him and began swinging over and over again, blood starting to splatter around the grass and sand like a someone flicking a red paid loaded brush all over the place.



Diovan: Fight back! FIGHT BACK!



Nautilous: No.



Diovan: FIGHT BACK YOU COWARD! It's your fault! All of it! Sydel's miserable and heart broken and Sybelle is dead and it's YOUR FAULT!



Nautilous: I know...



The blows kept coming around batches of words, Nautilous's arms raised to keep the damage from being too bad but his lips were split and his nose was broken, his bad eye blackened and closing over... Diovan was barely touched, the most he felt was his younger brother trying to roll him weakly, to shift the weight...



Diovan: Why! Why didn't you stop it?! Why did they choose you?! They ALWAYS chose you!



But it was with those words that something seemed to shift between the two, Nautilous became less defensive and more offensive, throwing his own punches now that split Diovan's lip and bruised his jaw.



Nautilous: Your wrong you fucking idiot. They never chose me. They always chose you. I just had the balls to step up to the plate while you ran hiding in your fucking tree house afraid of failure.



Yeah... That cut deep and you could see it on Diovan's face, the hesitation in the moment and that was when Rose had come in and in that moment the elder brother had swung on reflex and caught Rose straight in the face. What was even more unexpected than that was Rose popping Diovan so hard upside the head she knocked his ass out like a lightbulb...



The two were separated as orders were given but Nautilous could only lay on that grass, staring up at the sky that was so bright and such a beautiful blue, you couldn't imagine anything going so wrong as it had earlier on such a gorgeous day...

[BadInfluence]

"Don't be nervous... Look at what a good job you did with Jacob. Imagine how amazing our daughter is going to be now that you know what you're doing huh?" It started out with some comforting sweetness, flattering and supportive, ending on a little bit of a tease because she knew it would make him smile. It was just how they worked, humor was so rich in their relationship it was almost as much bread and butter as their sex was, they just had that perfect balance... Humor and sensuality and when they needed to be, they could talk about anything serious they needed to without a single hiccup, they just matched beautifully. She had realized though that they hadn't picked out a name for their little girl yet, they had everything in her room set up, pink hot hair balloon lights and a fairy mobile over her crib... Toys and clothes, books and rugs, pictures and decorations... All of it... And of course a crib in their room as well as she wouldn't be sleeping in her own room for a little while still...

All of that together... But not a single name. "I'm sure your right. I am really excited though honestly... I wonder what she is going to look like." She said witha smile as they settled intothe side room, everything taken into consideration for them, complete with a little bassinet and a warmer under it... Pillows and breast pumps, if there was something a new mum would need, it was there for them. She took the opening to see what he thought about having kids a bit down the line, would he be open to that, to a big family? It was a great chance to talk about it without letting him look too closely into it, allowing her to keep her little secret for a while longer still, hoping that his reply was going to be in the affirmative though... If he was against it... Uh... Well this might not be the greatest surprise down the road... But that said? His response was everything she could have dreamed of. "Good because I'd like a huge family, growing up in the Caravan I'm used to a whole bunch of chaos and activity, what do you think of a bakers dozen and maybe a few more? We have all that room on the round floor for family... Let's fill it up?" Normally it was reserved for when family came to visit during the festival but if she had her way? They'd have to rent a room like anyone else because those rooms would be filled to the brim with babies. " I love you too Garafin, a whole freaking load of love for you, and I won't ever go grey. I'm white so I'm just going to be this rocking hot mom with platinum hair and everyone's going to see you going as a silver fox and call you a dirty old cradle robber." She said with a laugh and a smile, giving him an eskimo kiss in return, her own concerns on perhaps messing up a time or two... His support was incredibly appreciated too, plus he was dead to rights correct on it too, they definitely had one hell of a support network. "Yeah we do huh? Jacob and Rose, Vivian and Anouk too, not to mention our friends from the Caravan and your shipping company." If anything came up? They had a dozen or so minds to pick.

A moment later though the baby was being walked over to them, the door swinging closed behind the nurse as the sweet little bundle was presented to them, and as she was passed through a beam of light? That was when she made that first sound, a small cry as she wrinkled her little face up and for her? Oh man... It was love at first sight... She opened her arms for the baby and instantly felt the pressure building in her breasts before the sudden tingle of a let down, making her catch her breath a minute as she'd pull her dress open and within a few minutes of arranging things... And by that time? Oh their little girl was screaming mad. She could smell the milk but it wasn't given to her and she didn't like not having it just Right Now Dang It! It took the help of a couple of pillows before the hold was established and their little girl was latched on properly and feeding like a little wolf. She carefully lifted her hand, gently touching the thatch of downy white hair, softer than she thought hair ever could feel. "Oh look Garafin... She looks just like me with her hair... She's so perfect... Oh..." She breathed before she'd wipe a tear away with a watery smile, leaning her head on Garafin's shoulder, just softly brushing her fingers along their daughters hair... Soothing her as she fed. "What about... Sylwyn... It means fairy music... Plus it has part of her mother's name in too, so she'll always carry a part of her with her, all the days of her life." She said softly, wondering what Garafin thought of it... The name... "Sylwyn Aranosse..."

[Deleted]

She had woken slowly, very slowly there curled up with her brother.. a tangle of limbs.. her head resting against his bare chest.. a little sleepy.. a little groggy.. but she felt so good.. so so good, everyone always did after one of those parties.. it was like it ended with an infusion of every possible vitamin and mineral the body would ever require.. an energy shot to the system.. she glanced around a little.. it appeared everyone else had already gone.. including Nautilous.. but she knew that this particular day was.. well a heavy one.. having decided she would not interfere.. for in as much as she would love to have a hold of that little baby she didn't want to get in the way.. slowly she would pull herself away from Thaylan.. letting him rest longer with a delicate kiss to his forehead as she slipped that robe back on and she made her way back out on silent bare feet.. the house was so quiet.. it held a silence that didn't seem normal.. perhaps even a little chilling.. she rubbed her lips together.. making her way back up to their shared chambers.. taking a shower.. removing the last small touches of sleep.. of reverie before she would wrap herself up in a thick luxurious towel..

her hair bounced down upon her shoulders as she moved.. reaching then she would pin it back.. keeping it up .. the curls would be casual but mostly braided.. a smart fitting red and black ombre styled off the shoulder dress, it would leave that bite mark upon her shoulder out.. though only those that were there when it happened would really know what it meant.. she would be spending most of the day if not all of it on her own.. Thaylan was still probably resting and she had told him that she would be a little on the busy side today.. she had a dress to alter.. and she didn't want to be disturbed.. she had managed to locate her Mothers wedding dress.. it was an older style but it appeared that her and her dear Mother were around the same size.. a similar shape and height.. she just needed to.. modernise it.. make it more her own.. and her preference in the end was to do this rather than to purchase something new.. this one just needed newer memories attached to it..she settled down...laying out the aged lace as she gathered up pins and tape.. scissors and cotton thread.. it took some time to shape it.. to take the age away without ruining its structure.. a pin cushion around her wrist as she set the bodice.. the cap sleeves.. something disturbed her though.. it threw her attention ..

grasping it away from the job at hand .. noises.. coming from outside.. someone was yelling.. loudly.. but it was semi muffled through all the brick and glass of the house.. she moved toward the window but she couldn't draw the curtains open.. she could see the light peeking out from beneath the thick velvet like fabric and that was enough to tell her if she opened the blinds it would absolutely drop her.. so she listened.. fighting?.. was someone fighting?.. her brows furrowed.. trying to recognise the voice.. or voices.. someone was loud.. more so than the second.. Diovan maybe?.. before she heard a female voice.. unmistakable.. it was Rose.. before it seemed to settle..to end.. silence falling.. a look of confusion settled upon her features as she rubbed at her forehead.. slowly on silent feet she would move back to the table there.. worry .. concern.. something was wrong.. but she couldn't really do much about it.. she tapped nails against the side of the drafting table.. placing down the pins she had been holding.. she could go and get Thaylan to find out.. she blinked a few times.. trying to come to a decision before she heard a tapping at her door.. drawing it open only to see Rose.. and that garnet gaze of hers widened as she noticed the healing bruise.. the swelling going down yes but it was still prominent.. -.. No.. Oh my god whats happened to you?.. Who did that?!.. -she blinked.. reaching across with soft finger tips as she turned Roses head to the side a little.. everything would have been glossed over.. but she was filled in.. as to what had just occured.. not in perfect detail but enough that she got a general idea.. Sybelle had passed on as was predicted.. Sydel however had also failed.. oh her heart sank.. oh she knew damn well that would not have gone down so hot at all.. before the brothers were fighting.. So thats who it was.. Diovan and Nautilous.. she exhaled.. her hand rose to her forehead.. she ushered Rose out the door with the assurance she would go and check on Nautilous..

gathering up her small bag.. the one wth the drugs she had sourced for Thaylan.. along with a few other pieces she made her way down the stairs on low heeled pointed shoes.. though something stopped her.. something slowed her steps.. just a little.. it was the cry of a new born.. oh her heart siezed in her chest.. it grabbed.. she felt a sudden chill as it ran the length of her spine.. her free hand rose as she clutched at her chest.. How precious was that sound.. that beautiful new baby cry.. still she took a breath and she pushed herself to keep moving.. rounding a few corners till she made it to the main bathroom.. a bloodied handprint resting upon the door told her he was in a bad.. bad way.. she wanted to stay away.. she really did.. she wanted to give him this space.. this day to settle.. to sort out what was going on in his heart.. she knew he needed to help these children come into the world.. to say his goodbyes.. that maybe it would give him a little more clarity.. what she did not expect though was it have fallen south so dramatically.. she pushed open the door slowly..-.. Nautilous?.. -she called out to him softly.. -.. It's just me.. Rose came and told me you needed to be looked in on.. -she would move to step into the dimly lit room.. letting the door close behind her.. she would turn to look.. to glance around.. before she caught a glimpse of him slumped down on one of the bench seats.. a murky looking mixture of blood and tears puddling at his feet.. he was bruised and broken.. his lips were split.. his cheeks were coloured and growing darker as each moment passed.. his nose.. well a little on the crooked side.. and she could only imagine what his skin looked like beneath his now rather torn outfit.. oh her heart just sank so low.. a look of concern and complete worry floated about her features-.. Oh my god.. -she breathed suddenly as she moved across to where he was swiftly.. he looked almost dazed.. eyes were bloodshot..so many tears must have been spent.. or so she figured.. she could only take a guess.. -.. No.. no no..

-she dropped her bag down on the seat as she came to sit right beside him.. her gaze looked for his.. she looked for those brilliant blue and white orbs she had grown to admire.. seeing him hurting was crushing her and that emotion was easily readable on her features as her own eyes became quite glassy.. she reached for his cheek.. her touch was gentle.. delicate.. she didn't want to hurt him anymore than he already was.. -.. You dont have to talk.. You do have to do anything right now.. -she looked to him.. directly to him.. -.. But I am here.. for you.. wholly and completely.. -she would guide him closer to her.. before she would embrace him.. though it would be gentle.. she would only go on his lead.. if he held her tighter than she would echo that.. -.. Its ok.. -she whispered over and over again.. -.. Its ok.. You will get through this.. all of this.. even if you take two steps back.. you can still move forward.. -she held him there.. for as long as he would need.. allow.. for as long as he desired it.. -.. I think you need to curl up .. somewhere a lot softer than this hard bench.. but.. you've also brought in half the yard with you.. -she plucked a few grass blades from his hair as she slowly drew her arms back.. turning she pulled her bag over.. drawing out a little velvet pouch as she pulled out a small white droplet.. taking his hand as she placed it down upon his palm-.. this wont take the pain away from in here.. -she placed it above his heart-.. but it will numb the rest for a while.. give your body a chance to heal.. -it wouldn't affect his mind.. or make him high.. it would just take the edge off the pain of bruising and possible hairline fractures.. she moved to stand.. her heels clicked softly against the polished tiles as she moved over to where the showers hung down low.. she turned on one of the jets.. watching the veritable waterfall of water cascade down.. she placed one of the seats beneath it.. it was warm to hot.. steam was slowly filtering through.. filling the room as she moved back to his side.. -.. May I?.. -she would question him as her hands came down to rest upon his shoulders.. she would wait for his answer before she would slowly peel back his charcoal coloured jacket.. the fabric was torn and stretched out.. coated in grass and dust from the gardens.. and everything smelt so clinical.. she reached down to gather up the hemline of his undershirt having to lift it up since it had no visible buttons.. going as carefully as she could when she reached his face.. oh the bruising on his upper body made her sigh..-..I dont care what the reasoning was for this.. but i find it utterly disgraceful.. You two are brothers.. you're blood.. He's lucky I didn't see it.. I sware to the goddess beneath us.. he'd be wishing he'd never met me..

-she knew that men would fight.. and they did often... she figured this though was probably more due to frustration and maybe even misunderstanding.. but people got hurt.. and that she felt was unnecessary.. -.. Can you stand?.. -she'd ask.. if he couldn't she would help him up.. he could lean on her as she helped him remove those slacks...his shoes.. and whatever else he may have had on.. she would guide him over to that seat.. settling him down on it.. he would feel the instant shower of water.. hot and soothing upon his head and shoulders.. she was gentle in her touches as she ran one of those soft sea sponges across his shoulders.. the back of his neck.. making sure the leaf matter and dirt was removed from his hair..all whilst paying close attention to any bruising.. or if he was hurt.. she remained in her dress not caring it it got wet.. having only removed her shoes.. she wouldn't press him for information.. he would speak when he was ready.. and only if he was ready.. if there was one thing she had learnt about him.. it was that he was an incredibly emotional filled young man.. but he had one hell of a hard shell around himself.. and sometimes he held onto that.. as if his very life depended on it.. soft gentle soaps would wash away the smell of the medical quarters.. small squares of cotton dabbed against open wounds and small sliver like cuts.. nothing that would make it sting.. but he might feel little draws of energy.. just little tickles of it as she closed the cuts in his lips.. they would be the most irritating to heal.. the bruising would be slower.. but.. manageable.. she reached up to move the shower head just a little.. so it still cascaded down his back keeping him warm.. but it wouldn't be hitting his face.. warm wet fingers would cradle his cheeks-.. Do you want to go lay down?.. or stay here?.. I dont mind.. Ive got all the time in the world right now..for you.. -she would tilt her head.. just watching him.. if he decided to go lay down she would guide him.. in one of those soft warm bath robes back up to her own room.. figuring the last place he needed to go right now was back to his chambers.. the ones he had shared with Sydel.. inside her chambers he would be greeted with that dimly lit room.. lanterns hanging here and there.. that dress layed out on one of the tables.. a work in progress.. but that big bed that he had shared once already with her and Thaylan was there.. he was more than welcome.. no matter what he decided-

Gias dress choice.. (Top middle)

[Deleted]

He couldn't have been prouder of her if he tried.. she was ticking all the right boxes, she was checking and double checking everything she did.. there was no slip ups.. no forgetfulness.. if he had to grade her on this procedure .. well she'd be right up there with the professionals who had been doing this kind of thing for decades longer.. she was cool, calm and collected.. but as the children were being born..cracks started to form.. and he slowly stepped forward.. just a little.. and then a little more.. he wouldn't leave her.. he wouldn't push her to get through it.. that would be just cruel and it would set back all the training she had been going through up until that very point.. there was a very fine line when you were a health professional.. You had to have compassion and empathy to your patients.. but you couldn't cry in their presence.. you couldn't break down or get angry.. emotion was something left for them to feel.. and you were their voice of reason and logic.. you were there to help them get through those hard times.. to guide them with all the training and education behind you.. but he knew she was going to fail.. he whispered to her softly.. to step back.. that he would take over.. he wore a smile of admiration for her as he gave her a little squeeze before she would move off to the side..

he knew she'd just need a moment.. just to regroup.. and then after all of this they would come together and talk it all through.. he finished off the surgery.. making sure the wounds were closed.. it was all very professional.. his bedside manner was impeccable.. even with this being.. well his Mother.. he was still Doctor first.. Jacob second.. at least in here.. the curtains were drawn away.. and he stepped to the side.. Hanali would appear.. his head bowed.. a sign of pure respect as the collection process would begin.. Sybelle was going to be taken along with that beautiful little dark haired boy.. it was an echo really of what he had heard happened to him.. but.. she was being given a chance at a life that was pure and happy.. not filled with hate, blood and chaos.. the flash of light had him clenching his eyes closed.. before he would blink away the light spots.. fully expecting then to have to tend to Sybelles body only for Sydels monitors to be screeching as she flatlined.. there was no time to second guess it or question.. he leapt into action.. Rose sliding in as his partner.. they worked together in perfect unison.. smoothly without even having to ask or demand actions.. she knew what he needed and he knew she could rely on him.. chest compression's.. mouth to mouth.. before the defib would shock the body.. watching as it bounced high on the bed before the process was repeated.. he could hear Nautilous and Diovan behind him.. arguing.. Diovan was screaming.. but he had no time to register what it was all about.. and before he even had the chance to think on it they seemed to have taken it outside..

the defib connected once more.. the body bouncing as the heart beat was picked up.. oh his shoulders dropped and colour returned to his cheeks slowly.. -.. Oh thank the goddess -he reached up to rub the back of his hand across his sweat laden forehead.. he watched as she began to hook Sydel up to all manner of items.. bags of solutions.. he trusted she knew what she was doing.. Sydel meant as much to her and she did to him afterall.. he plucked up her chart then.. sliding the pen out as he scribbled down a few things.. taking note of the machines.. the dosage.. and the soft heart rate.. -.. Its not strong.. but.. I think she will be ok.. might take a day or two though.. -his brows furrowed-.. You were perfect.. thankyou Doctor.. I will have you working at my side anytime.. -he offered her a smile that showed just how proud he was of her.. he knew of her fears going into this.. -.. tonight though.. we will regroup.. you and I.. okay?.. we need to go over whats happened here.. -he scribbled down a few more notes nodding as she moved over to take care of Sybelle.. he remained with Sydel for the time being.. leaning slightly against the bed as he placed the chart back onto the table.. he pulled one of the blankets up and over her.. drawing the sides of the bed up in case she woke with a start .. didn't need anyone accidentally falling out of bed.. he turned.. glancing over his shoulder when she said she needed to get out.. for a minute or two-.. Yes.. yes of course.. go.. and take in some of that sunshine.. its recommended.. I will join you shortly.. just want to check on a few more things here.. all is well.. I promise angel.. -he reached for her hand.. his fingers even gloved were still warm as he gave hers a light squeeze before she would slip out the door.. he would turn back to Sydel.. reaching to pull her eyelids back.. noticing the bloody streaks.. the pressure must have gotten too much.. the procedure taking a little bit too long.. he'd look to her ink coated hands.. curious.. before he would crouch down to gather up the note.. folded.. a little crumpled thanks to the boys heading out in a bit of a tussle.. he opened it slowly.. turning it the right way up as he read the scratchy child like writing.. he exhaled slowly.. -.. Oh Sydel.. You are a good person.. -he spoke softly.. placing that paper back beneath her singers-.. and you deserve happiness.. I sincerely hope you can find it.. You just need to be who you were.. before all that stuff happened that dimmed that beautiful sparkle.. I know you can do it.. I see it in you.. every now and then..

-he leant down.. brushing his lips to her forehead.. before he would leave her be-.. I wont be far.. Ill be here.. for the rest of the afternoon.. I promise.. -it was his Mother.. he wasn't about to leave her.. he made his way slowly over toward Garafin and Taru.. the silence bubble having been popped so that he could hear the gentle hum of the machines.. his smile only grew as he removed his gloves.. washing his hands.. removing his scrubs.. leaving just his business like shirt and slacks beneath.. -.. Oh now this.. this is the most beautiful picture I have Ever seen.. Congratulations to you both.. -he reached to place a hand upon Garafins shoulder and then upon Taru-.. She is a beautiful little girl.. incredibly healthy vitals.. she's strong.. and I honestly think.. we all needed this today.. we needed this little pop of sunshine to come into all of our lives.. and You lucky people have been entrusted to take care of her.. -he was so proud.. So so proud-.. There is a room here I believe.. set up for you to stay the night.. just a precaution.. before you are able to head off tomorrow afternoon should all go swimmingly.. of which I am sure it will.. Sylwyn is.. beautiful.. I will leave you both to enjoy her.. Congratulations once more.. f you need anything at all dont hesitate to call out.. someone will be here to help.. there's a Mother in the group should you need advice.. and plenty of Fathers.. -he laughed a little-.. and I only hope to be as lucky as this one day.. soon.. but I wont keep you.. -he smiled as he pulled the curtain back around them once more.. letting them settle in if they chose it.. he would turn and move back into the medical room proper.. taking a long deep breath.. exhaling very.. very slowly as he poured himself a strong cup of tea.. oh his nerves were frazled.. but it was done.. he would organise transport for Sybelle soon.. and that of the tiniest fragile little baby number three.. his thoughts went out to Nautilous and to Diovan in those moments.. to both have lost a child.. and a wife.. his heart ached and he hoped that they could both find peace.. his attention fell back to the resting Sydel.. perhaps a prayer to the goddess would give some aid.. would throw a little more luck into the ring.. he had a feeling this one was going to be hard to come back from.. -

[Deleted]

He remained there beside her on the bed.. his arm holding her from behind.. just resting against her right.. he was nervous.. it was clear as day upon his face.. upon his features.. he was fidgeting .. which was something he never ever did.. her questions though were perfect to distract him.. and he answered in turn.. stuff about family and what he wanted in his future.. he laughed a little when she spoke about wanting a Load of kids.. like.. more than a dozen-.. Wow.. yeah.. I have always loved children.. for as long as I can remember.. my life just never turned out that way.. We certainly have the room.. Id love nothing more than to grow a family with you my sweet buttercup.. and thats something we can look forward to very soon! .. but first we have a wedding to jump over.. -he shot her a wink with a broad smile and they did.. it wouldn't be far away at all really.. and would no doubt creep up on them just like this did and before they knew it.. BAM.. alter and rings and vows.. he adored her though.. he loved her with every single fibre of his being.. and having children with her would be the biggest blessing ever.. he laughed though when she referred to him as the dirty old cradle robber.. -.. You will be a rocking hot Mum for years to come my lovely.. turning heads even with a belly out to there.. -he wasn't blind.. he caught the glimpses she got when they were out walking.. or working at the Inn.. and he was damn sure she got propositioned when he wasn't around.. still he knew her heart to be true.. just like his was for her.. and thats all that mattered.. it was also kinda hot that so many others thought she was pretty fucking special too.. he reminded her of how much help they had around them.. the drama going on the other side of the room though was missed on them.. the two only had eyes for each other there fore everything else just melted away..

that was until the Nurse approached with that sweet little bundle of joy and his heart just melted .. right then and there.. the crying.. the sounds.. the smell. the sight of her.. -.. Oh my god.. -he sighed as his smile only got bigger.. his eyes got a little more glassy as he held her all the more tighter for it-.. She's actually here.. like right here.. Oh Wow!.. -he finally understood what it felt like.. what people had often described to him about.. biological children.. when they were born and you got to hold them for the first time.. that feeling.. that indescribable sensation.. of pure love.. adoration.. the need to protect them.. at all costs.. the desire to go as far as putting your own life on the line if necessary.. all of it hit him all at once.. looking down at this platinum haired angel.. -.. She looks just like you sweetheart.. she's just perfect.. you're right.. so.. so right.. -he reached across to wipe away one of her tears as one of his own tumbled down his cheek.. oh he just felt so whole.. watching then as the baby latched on and fed contently.. how his beautiful wife to be cradled her.. took to her as if it was her own baby.. oh his heart just exploded in his chest.. he was sure of it.. he leant up to press his lips to the side of her head-.. Welcome to the world Sylwyn Aranosse.. -he rubbed his hands up and down her back whilst she felt their new daughter.. catching a glimpse of Jacob approaching before he just beamed in response to the congratulations-.. Thanks buddy.. I sware.. I never really understood it till now.. but.. Wow.. this is.. this is just so perfect..

-he grinned.. nodding as he listened to the information about the room.. the overnight stay.. before he would turn back to taru and their newest addition when Jacob stepped back.. -.. You ok to settle in for the night.. or maybe a few days.. till you're comfortable?.. you tell me when you're ready.. we will only head home at your request.. -so much of motherhood was like a weight upon the womans shoulders.. and he knew she didn't have a lot of experience other than what she had learnt in the caravan.. and then from books... so a lot of this would be first hand and very new.. he knew better than to push her.. he would just go with her.. hand in hand.. ready for this Huge adventure-

[Deleted]

She stumbled.. and stumbled again in Naggaroth.. it cut into her knees.. though because they were covered back on the surface no one would have really noticed the change.. it was business as usual back at her home.. every other time she had turned up it was uncomfortably cold.. blizzard like weather.. dust storms.. and the scent of copper.. of filth and rot.. so much blood had been spilt here over the years.. more than would or could ever be washed away.. she pushed on.. the sudden rush of warmth on her person though was.. oddly soothing.. it would have been around about the time Rose was sliding the drugs into her veins directly.. she'd not really felt that sensation before.. but it was.. nice.. she got to the main gates.. making sure to keep away from all and sundry she didn't want to draw attention to herself.. entering through to the house kingdom.. the vast height of it.. tall planes of glass and ice.. bloodied steps.. soldiers.. knights.. they knew who she was so she wasn't questioned as she entered.. though if she thought she had arrived under the shadow of darkness she was mistaken.


Khorne: Ahh.. daughter, I wondered when you would arrive.. we have been.. waiting


Sydel: tilting her head to the side exhaling a breath as she just pushed on in the direction of the booming voice.. through another set of doors before she would lay her pale yet blood shot gaze upon her Father seated at his grotesque throne.. Father.. -she nodded-.. Im kinda done.. -she waved her hands-.. Im.. so done.. I have nothing more to offer.. Im tired.. to the bones of all of this


Khorne: just laughed and shook his head.. Kind of?.. or you are?.. You know there is no going back from this.. You are my daughter, you will forever be my daughter.. my blood runs through those veins of yours.. -he waved her away dismissivley -


Sydel" No.. you dont understand, Im Done.. with all of this.. and Im done with you


Khorne paused.. his hand scratched against his chin.. : Strong words from someone I could just wipe off the face of every single plane in existence


Sydel:.. and?.. what have I honestly got to lose now?.. Ive fucked everything else up.. may as well go for the trifecta.. gamble the lot.. all chips in.. money on the line.. balls to the wall.. whatever.. -she waved her hand now as she moved to approach him-.. I Dont give a damn what you can do to me.. it wont be any worse than what I have done to myself up until this point..


Khorne just laughed:.. Pathetic.. I had a lot higher hopes for you.. seems that was a pointless venture


Sydel:.. Tell me something I dont know.. -she groaned and shook her head.. Oh she'd had a gutful of people going crook at her and dragging her down.. you cant keep being dragged down when youve already hit rock bottom-


Khorne turned to his generals.. a few whispered in his ear.. there was a lot of nodding.. surprised sounds..


General: She can leave, but not before running the trial.. she'd likely survive it however.. she's incredibly strong.. and once she's free of that you wont be able to get your hands on her anymore.. is that something you really want Sire?


Khorne rubbed his chin:.. well no.. she's been useful.. she's clearly broken but she's so easy to toy with, if she had any idea how much we played into her mind with her decision making it'd likely break her.. and.. well i kind of like that power being so close to the likes of my grandson and then of course Nautilous.. for if she goes.. he will probably also.. and im not ready for that


General: how about this then.. a little intel through the links we have.. if we break her down before the trial.. then she's less likely to complete it.. if she fails she stays.. locked in.. though she wont remember a bit of what she learns here today.. the moment she leaves here.. all memories of what you tell her will be gone..


Khorne nodded : Fine.. fine.. -turning back to his daughter-.. You know the rules girl.. you know its not so simple to leave here with your head so high


Sydel: Im not stupid.. I know what I have to do..


Khorne:.. Fine.. -he waved his hand for the generals to set up before he turned back to her-.. Might be story time though yes?.. -a shimmer would occur.. an image projecting.. fading in and out.. through the eyes of .. Nautilous no less..it would be the moment that third little baby was brought into the world for its very very short stay..


Sydel: she blinked.. turning to look to the screen then as she witnessed Rose bringing out the third tiny little bundle.. only for it to dawn on her.. and she paled.. which was no mean feat considering she was already so damn pale.. her hands fell to the flat of her stomach.. -.. No.. -a shiver snaked the length of her spine and she felt her knees go weak.. -.. No.. No you must be lying.. this is trickery.. a fake of an image.. No.. I refuse to believe it.. -she crumpled to her knees as her head dipped forward.. she really wanted this child.. she really wanted to share this experience with him.. she had no control over this one.. she didnt want it to be moved.. she didn't want anything to change.. her throat ran dry and she just about gasped for breath-


Khorne dragged his tongue across his almost rotten teeth-.. Afraid not daughter.. that child was long dead.. seems your not fit to be a mother.. how many have you lost now?.. that womb of yours must be a pretty damn toxic environment yes?.. -he rubbed his chin.. watching her falter and begin to fail.. this is what he needed to keep her.. drag her down.. hard.. -.. afterall.. even my grandson killed you coming into this world.. What makes you think for a moment this would have been any better?..


Sydel: she growled.. Fuck You.. -she forced breath through grit down teeth .. her chest felt heavy like someone was standing upon it with large boots.. he had to be wrong.. she didn't lose it.. if she could have pleaded to a goddess in that moment she would have.. but there would be no prayers from here.. not in this domain.. not with her Father towering over her


Khorne laughed: Shame.. but im not done.. -he crossed his arms as the images changed once more.. there was a reminder of Nautilous screaming at her.. this was all from her point of view.. from her eyes.. him yelling at her.. calling her out for her lies.. and then even Diovan .. calling her no better than her evil older sister..


Sydel: she swallowed.. her heart was throbbing in her chest.. and on those machines it was picking up a little.. ectopic beats every so often.. though nothing to be really worried about..


Khorne:.. Seems you arent too popular with those that apparently.. love.. you daughter.. -the image shifted.. to that of Gia and Nautilous.. in the pool room.. right back at the beginning.. that first kiss.. the request for permission.. the spiral.. he knew she wouldn't remember a minute of this.. but if he were honest with himself.. he figured she wouldn't survive the trial anyway.. isn't that your lover.. and your devoted husband?


Sydel watched on her head tilting when she caught a glimpse of Gia.. she blinked.. it was odd.. before realisation struck.. Oh no.. no.. she had been keeping them apart on purpose.. her heart sunk to her boots.. watching that kiss in motion.. slow motion no less.. the connection obvious as the nose on her face.. she swallowed.. her shoulders sunk..


Khorne:.. Got a lot more.. could show you the after math.. its.. really quite.. intense.. -lies.. he had nothing once they left that room.. someone had been smart enough to silence it.. and they were strong enough to knock out a gods intel-


Sydel: No.. no.. -she was crestfallen.. crushed.. she felt about a foot tall in total.. and it wasn't even that it was a betrayal.. it was more that she had done this.. she had pushed him into her arms.. this was all on her..oh she felt physically ill.. she suddenly felt arms sliding under her elbows.. closer to her shoulders as she was being forced to her feet by two guardsmen.. and they were walking her out of the throne room.. down the long dimly lit corridor.. she just stared.. she just a tear.. and another.. and another just trickled down the same wet line on her face.. oh she felt defeated..


Khorne slapped his hands together:.. She wont get through the first two swarms.. its fine.. get the blood witches ready.. tell them to be waiting in the wings.. she will need to be stripped down again and restarted.. this time they can erase everything.. properly.. whoever did the job last time left far to many lingering memories and that caused all this fuckery.. I wont stand for it.. she's my god damned daughter and she's as weak as a fucking sylvan.. Once she fails.. which she will.. take her straight there.. we can cut the body on the surface.. she will just die on the table.. -he waved his hand dismissively-


Sydels head dipped to the side as she was brought to the large double doors.. they were drawn open and before her was the large open arena.. it was a vast wide open circle.. a crudely made structure filled with bloodied sand and scattered bone.. around the perimeter ..so many souls watching.. witch elves, warlocks, slaves and Masters alike.. gambling upon the life of the daughter of Khorne..


Announcer: The bells would chime.. and silence would fall.. only the sounds of the wind rushing through the oddly irregular building .. the whistling.. ' Up next, we have a Very special guest.. someone who desires freedom from her tightly bound shackles.. but we all know that doesn't come easily... the crowd would laugh and cheer.. to attain freedom from Naggaroth you have to complete a trial.. you have to prove your worth.. and as of yet.. No one has succeeded.. someone in the crowd called out 'and from the looks of this one nothings going to change'.. laughter would sound from several directions.. the announcer held his hands up to quieten the crowd once more.. In any rate.. Sydel has 18 rounds to get through.. higher than the usual 10.. due to her high standing and blood line.. -he nodded.. the crowd ooo'd and ahhhhh'd..


Sydel squinted as she was thrown into the centre.. landing hard upon her knees in the sand.. the light was bright in comparison to the inside of the tunnel.. so it would take her a moment to adjust.. she had seen this area before.. but only as a spectator.. it looked vastly different from this point of view.. she heard the announcements.. and the jabs at her.. just making her grit her teeth as she forced herself to her feet.. though hearing 18 made her spin around.. Excuse me?!.. since when.. no one gets anymore than 10!..


Announcer: held his hands up.. Not my rules honey, Im just the messenger

[BadInfluence]

She could spend her whole life saying she wanted to get better... Or she could just get better. The fact was that she had come a long way from where she had started at, not just in general knowledge but in her ability to handle pregnant women, childbirth and sometimes the loss of a life. It struck her a bit harder then before too given she was close with everyone entangled in this affair. Sydel was fighting to keep Sybelle up, Sybelle was dying and trying to bring life into the world at the same time, Diovan and Nautilous were at respective bedsides trying to keep their wives up... It was a fucking mess, and if that wasn't bad enough, she knew at the absolute best she might have two children alive but... That was one of those rare miracles that life rarely afforded.

Then it was done Jacob relieved her of the position and finished it up for her, allowing her to take that moment in the room by herself after she had walked Sybelle into meeting Hanali, making sure her pain medicated was upped a good deal so the transition was nothing but warm and comforting. When she was coming out after that small regroup though shit went haywire and she was there in a second, pushing Nautilous out of the way and starting compressions in Sydel, pausing only to breathe air into her and for Jacob to hit her with the paddles. It didn't go the first time but the second one they got her back and she took charge after that. Jacob had his view and he wasn't wrong but she had hers too and right now she was going to go with her own, meaning she was using the new medication she had patented with Jacob's help and that was going to target Sydel's overactive metabolism, shutting it down. Once that was taking effect she made sure she was dosed up nice and high, dropping her into a medically induced coma so that her body and her mind could heal, regain some much needed strength through forced rehabilitation... IVs of blood hooked up as well to keep her fed as it were... But once that was done?

"We're not out of the woods yet Doctor..." She said gently as she was hooking her up, trying to keep most of the IVs from overlapping or causing her pain, but with what was needed there was no way to avoid having to hit a few spots on each arm... Especially with her veins being so small and lightly used. Like trying to find the vein of a child... "I appreciate it I do, believe me, I know I picked the right field... But right now we need to see how this goes. That shouldn't have happened, that wasn't normal even for her unique state of existence, so we can't even be sure how she is going to come out the other end..." If she even did. Sydel had an iron will to survive but she also knew the loss of that baby was going to rock her hard. She had so been looking forward to it and the loss of it was going to drop her like an anchor in the abyss and she wasn't about to let her come out from one shock into another with a weakened system. "Right now I think it's best we keep her in a coma until her vitals are stronger and she's been replenished. It looks like she's been neglecting herself for a while so we need to build that back up before I think it's safe to let her out." Jacob might have his own opinion on that and she'd hear him out if it were so but she hoped he would see her point on it. It wasn't done brashly or without a lot of thought put into it. She really wanted this to go right as much as possible.

"Take your time I'm just going to soak up some sun... It always helps me feel a bit more centered." She'd leaned in and kissed his cheek around the mask he was wearing and made her way out, stripping out of the scrubs and into her short shorts and crop top, snatching a bottle of wine and a cigarette on the way out. She was fully intent on enjoying it before someone literally came and pissed on her parade it would seem, the sounds of fighting were impossible to ignore and they weren't stopping either which made her get up from her spot to go and sort it out, only to catch the brothers in one hell of a fist fight... An unfair one too from what she saw because Diovan was on top and taking pot shots from hell left right and center. She'd barked an order but it literally did nothing, it wasn't until she had jerked Diovan back that the fighting stopped, but mostly because the fist that was meant to hit Nautilous smacked her right upside the face. Yeah... She was having NONE of that as she hit him hard in the temple and dropped him like a rock. Orders were given to Nautilous to get up, get food and alcohol, go to his room and NOT come out. He needed food and alcohol and rest, preferably in that order but fuck it, so long as he got all three she'd not bitch.

She went to go find Gia next, she needed to thank her for giving her the drugs that had helped the operation go so much smoother and faster than it might have otherwise. Diovan would be out for a few minutes before he woke up after all and she was more than content to let him squirm there in his seat and wonder what the hell was going to happen to him. She? Was pissed. He had hit her when all she did was break the fight up, and not only had he hit her, he downright slugged her in her face! With a RING! What sort of shady SOB wears a damn ring to a fist fight? Getting to Gia's room she was warmed by the sudden concern in her voice, it was pretty amazing really, Anya was a lucky girl to have such an awesome mom. Right now though she just filled her in a bit, glossing over most of it, just making it very cut and dry... Nutshell version. "I wanted to thank you for the drugs you left for us... It helped the surgery go better than it might have otherwise. Right now I have Sydel in a medically induced coma until she heals, something not right and she needs to be kept under until things have a chance to normalize, at least for her. Is there a place I might but more of what was left? I have the funds but I know it doesn't matter. I need the help of a Matron to give me the connections. What can I do to entice you to help me out in that matter?" She would need that connection to keep this stuff going, it was too useful to deny it's usability, but she also knew a lot of this she could never grow on the surface or in Arvandor. If she tried to find it herself on the black market a lot of it was going to be fake or cut using less than safe items and she couldn't risk a polluted product. She really needed the help in this but she also wasn't about to ask for it for free. She just needed to know what Gia could possibly need from her to help this bargain start.

When she and Gia were done with the talk she gave Gia a general idea of where Nautilous might be, she had sent him into the house and chances were he was going to the bathroom first, and with that she had to go deal with a certain father of hers. Seriously, she couldn't imagine she and Jacob had come from this guys loins. He was vicious and cruel when others were hurting rather than supportive, he ran when he needed to be brave, and he was a complete and utter fucking wimp. Jacob had more spine than him on his worst day's and she ate french fries with more stuff than this father of their's had backbone. Surely there had to be something about him charming or her mother and Sybelle would never have fallen for him or gotten pregnant, and while sure he wasn't ugly she didn't think looks was enough to get anyone past that initial output. She'd come into the room where she had tied Diovan up and she could tell he had been fighting the bindings once he had woken up, rolling her eyes as she walked right past him like he was invisible, dropping the curtains one after the other until the place was darker than the inside of a bats butt hole. Once that one done she kindled a single mage globe and set it on the table by the chair. Oh she could hear him talking, muttering, cussing... She didn't even hesitate to pick up that whip and lash it across his face before she'd lean in and dig her fingers into that welt and drag him forward. "Maggots don't speak in the presence of a Mistress. Talk again and I'll shorten your tongue." She hissed before she pushed his head back hard enough for it to slam against the back of the chair.

She moved to the door and locked it, a 'do not disturb' sign on the door before she warded it with the same silence spell that Jacob had taught her, ensuring no one could hear him scream. Once that was done she moved back and picked up the ball gag and shoved it in Diovan's mouth and latched it a little too tight... Making sure it gagged and made the sides of his mouth hurt. She wasn't blind either to the fact the was rock hard at the abuse and she sneered at him. "Disgusting... You're not even a man... Just some filthy little worm with a kink for pain... Put that vile piece of meat away or I'll break it." But it didn't go away... So not only did her dad lack any back bone or control he also lacked any self respect. She lifted her foot and instantly landed it down on his cock and balls hard in a downward kick, instantly making him scream bloody murder around that gag and his lap got wet but... Yeah... That wasn't urine. She shook her head and figured that certain kinds of pain weren't going to be effective. "You're disgusting... I can't believe your Jacob's father. You're such a damn failure." Genetically they were linked but she would never claim him ever.

She went for the knife instead and began to cut his boots off, tossing them to the side as she drew more from the magical field, bringing up a tub and several bottles of vinegar and jars of salt... She cut up the side of his pant legs then but didn't try to spare his skin, she nicked him in several places and then cut him again for crying, littering his skin with little razor fine cuts like a teenager shaving for the first time. She got up to the knee before she'd take his foot and he resisted her. "Give me your foot or I'll break it. Keep in mind I'm a doctor so I know just where to hurt you so that you'll survive but I'll have you wishing you wouldn't." She was after all the one saving his life, starting the life changing operations and treatments to remove his cancer but he had fucked up big time, NO ONE hit her but Jacob and Crow. Anyone else would die. If it weren't for the fact she knew that Sydel loved him? She might just have left him hanging... All the same though he gave up his foot and what she did next? Was torture as only the witch elf can do, she took that knife and sliced up the heel of his foot, the arch and the ball... Proceeding to then slice an x into the tip of each toe... She went from one foot to the other, adding in a slice between his toes up and down the internal length so that he couldn't take a step without pain.

Was that all? Hardly. She then began to fill up that foot tub with vinegar and salt, heating it so it was almost scalding before she'd lift his legs one by one and drop them into the tub. Oh the scream was bloody murder and then some, this was a pain he couldn't shift into pleasure, this was just raw agony. She left him there, letting him scream and thrash in the chair, growing the wood of it so that it bound him hand and foot, across the chest and the neck so he couldn't go anywhere. "This is for Sybelle who you didn't have the balls to go find and bring home to Arvandor so you could be a father to my Fiance. You can make a thousand and one excuses all fucking day but in Arvandor? The fucking Guards will help you portal down if you're magically retarded." Ah huh... She knew about all those arguments... The stupid fighting fight going on because of what he didn't have the balls to do. How did she know it? Because she could hear it all going down. She hadn't meant to stumble into it but she had, keeping hidden as it was all laid out, and she thought it was complete and utter fucking bullshit. "You talk a big game but you can't back shit up. Your brother? That guy who you were hitting on like a punching bag? Man you wouldn't even HAVE Sybelle if he hadn't done everything he could to bring her back to life and to Arvandor. Yes she's dead and it fucking sucks but you weren't the only one who lost someone! Jacob lost his mother, Nautilous lost his wife, and the kids back in Arvandor? Aysil, Joshua, Aylan? Yeah, guess what? They lost the only mother they will ever know. Nautilous lost his little baby in the same stroke. Grow UP. You are NOT the only person who's been hurt here so stop acting like a spoiled fucking only child a grow a pair!"

Standing up she'd move to his hands and slice along each fingertip then, not deep enough to bleed but enough to hurt, to drive you nuts... Lining the inside of each finger, the webbing between them, along his palm and the backs of his forearms where his skin rested on surfaces. She made sure he couldn't take a step or touch anything without feeling white hot shards of pain race through his system. "You got no idea what I sacrificed to make that healing serum I gave you. It's the first of an extremely rare, complicated, and priceless potion that I've been working on for a year. Instead of saving hundreds of lives there's just you. So why don't you take a step towards living a life worthy of that sacrifice? Hundreds of people could have been saved, you know that? Hundreds. But instead? It's just you. You want to be a good man? Then start by being a good Brother. That guy you were wailing on didn't need his big brother to have a fucking melt down and temper tantrum. He needed a shoulder, an arm, someone to share his grief with. All you gave him? Was more pain." She was so unimpressed by all of it that she really couldn't believe Sydel loved him.

"The vines and everything else will disappear in a few hours. Till then? You're going to sit here and think about every mistake, every failure, every short coming you have. Then, when your done realizing how fucked up you are and all the mistakes you made? You are going to think of ways to improve yourself, to become a better husband and a better brother, a better father and a better friend. Until you do? Those wounds won't heal. You'll live hour to hour, day to day unable to take a step or hold an object without hurting, and every time you fall back? Every time you start to fuck up? They'll start up again to remind you." And once that was said? She made sure to rub salt into every single wound he had... And cocked her arm back and broke his nose for good measure. "THAT is for the man I will call my father in law when Jacob and I marry." She said, walking away then and shaking her hand because yeah, THAT had fucking hurt!

She'd find her way back to Gia and Nautilous at that point, running into Thaylan he had sent her along in the right direction, grabbing up her medical bag on the way. "Sorry... Mind if I come in?" She'd ask gently before she'd wait for permission to enter. Once it was given though she'd go right to Nautilous and start to work on him a bit... Mostly she grabbed his nose and with a sickening crunch sound she put his nose back into place, nice and straight but it would be swollen for a couple of days, packing his nose with cotton batting so it would stay straight and keep the airway from sticking or collapsing. "He's going to be just as handsome as ever... Come on, arms out to the side if you can, I need to check your ribs." She said, waiting for him to do so as she felt over them carefully, catching a few hairline fractures, bringing out her rolled gauze she'd bind his chest up so he couldn't breathe too deep and put too much pressure on those ribs... She also had to do a sort of odd hold on him, hooking her fingers into his diaphragm to drop it again, it was half stuck from one of the hits and making his breathing uneven. She knew she'd hit it when he gasped and finally took a normal breath and she sighed... Stepping back she packed up her things before leaving behind a few pain pills she had on hand. "He threw some dirty hits for sure... Mostly it's a lot of bruising and some fractures... I'm sorry to say you'll likely urinate blood for a day or two from what he did when he kicked you and the way he focused on your kidneys..."

She'd step back and lean on the wall for just a moment before she'd continue. "We have Sydel in a medically induced coma for her to heal in, I plan on keeping her under for a few days at least and ask that no one bother her, she'd had a lot of trauma and needs peace and a lot of sleep... But she is ok. I'll keep you all updated twice a day or if anything changes. Is there anything else anyone needs?"

[BadInfluence]

He never would have thought Rose would have been the one to get between the two of them, let alone for Diovan to go so completely off the fucking rails, his brother hadn't taken a swing at him in years... He'd almost forgotten he even could. Still, the hits came hard and fast and he didn't swing back at the first, not only was he in too much emotional pain but he knew damn good and well that Diovan was still a man suffering from cancer. Even if Diovan came at him with an army he wouldn't hit a man who's life was strung along by a tenuous string as it was. Plus Rose would likely kick his ass for wailing on a man who was her patient. As it was he knew she was coming over to stop the fight but what happened next had him slack jawed, even if he could only see with one eye right now he didn't need more than that to watch his brother hit his daughter... Like... Oh fuck... Rose didn't take too kindly to it either, after a moment of shock she took his brother out with one hit, just dropped him like a rock and gave him orders to get off the ground and go take care of himself...

Man... Easier said than done... In so many ways... Sybelle was gone... His baby was gone... Sydel had almost died... The last thing she had said to him was she was sorry. As if that hadn't gutted him enough but now this. What was worse was that even with all this having happened he still wasn't going to change his plans... He was Bad for her right now... He had nothing left to give, no emotional support left inside himself, he was too broken to even try... Diovan had his flaws yeah but he was no where near as damaged and had more love to give, more time, more support... So he was going to leave those two to pick up where they should have been if he hadn't broken them apart with Caela's insistence. He... Would still be leaving with Gia and Thaylan.

It took him a while to push himself off the ground, he hurt in some strange places, something new given he hadn't let anyone actually land a hit outside of Sydel in decades... He stumbled into the manse, past the servants and up the stairs, falling more than once before he got to the large central bathroom and went in and sat on one of the benches just... Numb. He wanted that shell to remain forever but his emotions were way too strong for it and it just cracked and he began to sob, his heart was broken and his soul wasn't far behind as he just shook in silence, for all he might shed tears he wouldn't make a sound.

It was then that Gia somehow seemed to find him and he wondered if they were truly linked a hell of a lot deeper than he had first expected... How did she know where he was? Or that right now he needed her more than he needed to breathe? "It's alright... Looks worse than it is..." [/b] He said gently when he saw the pain on her face, her concern and he honestly wanted to ease it but she wasn't wrong... And she wasn't asking him to explain. But the second she wrapped her arms around him he found his own around her and he clung to her like a drowning man does a raft. "My baby... It died... It was hardly bigger than Rose's hand. It didn't even have a chance..." He whispered as he began to shake. "Then Sydel was there on the table and her heart stopped, in her hands was a note that said she was sorry and Gia, she doesn't hardly know how to write... She can't read... And she worked so fucking hard on that note..." Like... This was killing him... All of this... But he couldn't die. It wouldn't kill him but trap him in limbo forever, a purgatory he made himself and he had to make a choice to go forward or stay... And he was still choosing to go forward... He had put her first and let her be with Diovan, to give those two the chance to go down the road they were supposed to, and he had to take a new path of his own.

"I could sleep for a thousand years but it wouldn't change anything... I cant bring my baby back... Can't undo the pain I caused... Can't change the mistakes I made in the past... All I can do right now is take a step down a new path and not make the same mistakes twice..." But it was hurting to talk at this point, his jaw had a hairline fracture he could swear on it, making it difficult to move or say certain sounds. When she drop was given though? He took it and popped it back like a tic tack, utterly trusting of her as he held her close all the same, not wanting to let her out of his grasp if he could avoid it. He looked up at her for a moment before he'd nod his head, trying to move with her so she didn't have to work too much to help him get out of his clothes, they were fucking wrecked and torn by his brother and to be honest he'd never wear them again.

"Half... Mother loved him and his father, she didn't even tolerate me, it's how it's always been... Besides I feel half bad for him... He punched Rose in the face and she knocked him out cold right after. I don't envy him for what she's going to put him through... I don't know who tortures worse, the Drow or Witch Elves, and her grandmother is one of the worst." That thought actually made him smile a bit because if there was one person he did NOT want to get on the wrong side of? It was a witch elf who was also an incredibly talented and skilled doctor. He was stripped down and with that went a lot of the chunks of torn up turf and dirt, falling around him like he was a tree shaking his roots off. Could he stand? "Yeah..." He could stand, he could move, it just felt funky... His breathing was off and he couldn't really get a good deep breath in. He'd lean on her a bit as she helped him remove the rest of his clothes and stepped into the shower, instantly hissing because even if the pain was numbed it still stung a bit due to the heat but... A few moments later it began to feel better... He let out a shaky sigh as she came in with him despite the water and began to gently tend him, his head would find her soft stomach and rest against it, he found so much calm... A safe haven in her embrace... Even if it were just the gentle touch of their fingertips it was enough...

"Even though my brother fails at so much shit no one holds him to it... But when I fuck up something I get held to the branding iron... I'm tired of it... I'm heart sore and I don't want to be here anymore... Arvandor or the surface, they hold memories of her, both of her... The wild pop of sunshine to saved a strawberry plant on my roof... The ice queen who showed a soft side only to me... I see her everywhere here... I can smell her in the winter winds and the spring sunshine... I can't stand it anymore..." Everything was a memory that hurt, he couldn't look at the sea without remembering how often he had taken them sailing, or at the stars when he had shown her the edge of the earths galaxy... Hear a children's story and not remember Sybelle getting choked up and emotional... "Take me away from all of this Gia... I don't want to hear it... See it... Smell it... I want it all to melt... Go away... Sands blown across an icy cold desert..." She began to tend his various wounds before she was finished and had helped him into a warm robe. "Your room... I have no reason to stay in mine... Not anymore." He'd get up once more with her help and they'd go to her room together, the darkness was so warm right now, like being in the womb again it was comforting... He sat down on the empty bed, looking over at the dress, the things around it... "You're going to be the most beautiful bride Gia... I will marry you two tonight under the full moon while the trees are still in bloom..."

Not everything in the day was lost... A healthy baby girl had been delivered to a man who had been so good to so many people he deserved nothing but the absolute best and that baby... That was his little girl, a family of his own now with a soon to be wife, a thriving business in both the shipping trade and his Inn... The world was finally paying back dividends to the man who had been nothing but kind to anyone he met. It made him feel a touch better to know that, something small but it was a light in the dark, something to hold onto ... To help grow... Thaylan was out getting something to eat appearently but it made sense... Thaylan always knew what to do and when to do it... A skill he was very envious of lately. He sat in silence for a while, letting her move over to work more on the dress, laying on his side before Rose would come in and tend to him and yeah... He was grateful for Gia and the medication she had given him or that snap to put his nose back in place would have dropped him like a ten ton brick. He made all the movements she asked him to but yeah, some he definately found he couldn't do too well, and that diaphram thing? Was WEIRD! It made him gasp and make one hell of a weird sound before it dropped and he finalyl got that breath he had been trying to get for a half hour now.

Information was relayed and he could only nod in that case before she laid down in the bed and was glad that Rose was probably one of the least judgemental people he had ever met. She let people be people, she took them as they were, not what she thought they should be... But that didn't mean she was a pushover by any means either. She held people accountable too and it was just the sort of mix his son needed to help keep him on the right path and happy. When she was gone he looked to Gia just as Thaylan was walking in with plates of food and not surprisingly alcohol and cigarettes. Oddly enough he had no appetite for anything though, he just laid there on the bed as Thaylan came up behind him and just shocked him by cuddling him in, letting him be the small spoon and just melt into the soft darkness and the warm bedding... "How do I get a place in your world... How can I stay at your side Gia... I want to be with you but I want to do this in a way that is according to your world... Your people... Your traditions..."

[BadInfluence]

He'd woken up some time after her, sleep like that was a rare thing for a Harlequin so he felt insanely spoiled, wanting to do something especially special for his little sister... Funny how happy that made him... Letting her be the younger, so he could take care of her now too, to keep her safe and be her shield from the world... Her slave and her guardian. He'd dipped out of the room when she left, like her he had heard the fight but unlike her he hadn't interfered, sometimes things had to run their course and right now? It was a make or break between those two brothers. They were always chaotic, light and dark, sea and shore... It was never peaceful. Someone had to make the waves stop, to bring balance to it all but it seemed that wasn't going to happen today, not when Rose stepped in and got punched for it... He could see the cycle starting all over again and he just shook his head and went to go tend to some food and alcohol, a few laced cigarettes and the like, knowing it was going to be needed for all of them.



He'd set them all up to retreive in a singular location before he'd disappear into the webways, to make a report to his God, let him know where everything sat and which Gods were moving their pawns... Which were waiting for things to be clearer before making a choice... Once he had reported in and given blessings to continue on, he would make his way a bit deeper in, farther into the realms of dark linked universes where he'd retrieve a few precious things, knowing they would make her smile and right now? She needed that more than most because he knew her heart was going to be sore and breaking for what had happened to the man who shared her heart.



It took a bit of searching, going quite deep into the webways before he found them, articles of their past... Things from their great grandmother, their grandmother and an aunt... Precious things once lost to time he had found... He'd bring them forward from the webways and pack them very carefully in separate boxes before he'd stack them on one hand, the tray full of food and other such things on the other as he made his way back to the room, coming in just as Rose was leaving and nodding his head as she passed to head outside and get some sun. Once in the room he closed it behind him and laid the drinks and such on the table, the boxes placed on the other by where her dress was laid out at, gently touching the delicate fabric... He had never seen their mother in it but he could imagine it with a gentle smile... all the same though right now Nautilous was in some bad need and he went back to the bed and curled up behind him and just let him be... Didn't talk, didn't ask him any questions, just held him and let him work through all that was in his head.



veil

necklace


shoulder jewelry

[Deleted]

The horror that registered on her features when she first laid eyes upon him was easily evident.. on her poor heart sank so low in her chest it even took her a moment to catch her breath.. she closed the gap between them and wrapped her arms around him without question.. he clung to her.. so tightly.. as if his life depended on that hold.. secure and safe.. she would always do her best to make sure he felt that way.. that he could find comfort here.. right here in her arms.. her lids tumbled closed when he spoke.. when he told her his baby had died.. a fear he had held earlier.. describing it to her.. that it was so tiny.. she held him tighter as she felt his trembles.. - I am so sorry Nautilous.. -she whispered softly.. her hands gliding up and down his back.. her heart was broken for him.. for the loss of the child he wanted.. and then.. the guilt and sadness he was going through with his wife.. she exhaled softly.. she knew all to well that Sydel couldn't read.. or write.. having stopped her from ingesting poison on a few occasions when they were living together.. so she knew.. how much went into those few words.. something so simple and easy for everyone else.. but for Sydel.. that was pretty intense.. -.. She knows.. she's hurt you.. and this most probably her way of telling you that..

-her own gaze was so glassy with tears that were begging to tumble down her cheeks...he was so broken.. the shuddering and shaking in her arms.. the gentle almost inaudible sobs.. oh she knew where he was.. he was scraping rock bottom.. he was grieving.. and not just for that little one that didn't make it today.. she listened as he spoke on how he couldn't change anything.. he couldn't bring his baby back.. or change the mistakes he had made.. her hand rose as she softly ran it back through his hair.. -.. mmm.. -she murmued-.. You my dear are going to have to learn.. to forgive yourself.. Im not saying today.. or even tomorrow.. but.. at some point.. you will have to do it.. or this.. Im sorry to say.. is going to haunt you till your dying days.. -she could tell he was hurting.. not even just from the wounds she could see.. but in the way he was talking.. offering him then the little drop of pain killer.. it would numb the ache.. the throbbing.. to set it back and let him heal.. she asked for permission to help him remove the clothing.. their eyes catching.. just for a moment.. before he nodded and she offered him a smile in response.. helping him remove each item.. oh that suit was wrecked.. in so many ways.. it wouldnt be salvageable.. but she had an idea that he wouldn't have wanted to keep it anyway.. she made a smart quip about his brother then.. that she was disgraced at what had occurred.. listening to his response about the difference in how they were raised.. -.. Oh!.. oh.. thats who hit her.. -her brows furrowed as she frowned.. exhaling a sudden breath-.. I saw her.. just before.. her cheek was all swollen..

-she shook her head.. though the comments on who tortured more made her chuckle a little-.. well.. I think that comes down to what you want done.. -she would slowly pull that top up over his head.. making sure it didn't pull against any of the bruising or cuts-.. If you want blood letting, cuts, whips and most assuredly the most brutal death known to any species.. then you go Witch Elf.. -she helped him up.. to stand as they would move slowly toward the showers-.. If you want torture of the mind.. internal pain that makes you claw at your very skin until you find the fire.. that never actually existed.. If you want muscles diced beneath the flesh and a haunting that could go on for years.. body shifting.. poisons that paralyse and kill n the most disgusting fashion ..venom that steals your very breath and assassins that will convince you to turn the blade on yourself.. well.. then you come to us.. -she settled him down to sit there upon the chair.. taking a breath when he hissed at the pain.. she knew it had to sting.. at least in the beginning.. she stepped in.. her hand came to rest against the back of his neck as he rested his head to her stomach-. it will be ok.. just not today.. -she whispered.. stroking fingers back through his wet hair as she removed what was left of the grass.. the dirt.. he spoke about his brother.. and how Diovan could do no wrong.. -

.. It sounds a lot like your Mother was a bit of a Narcissist, playing siblings against one another.. comparing them.. its disappointing.. -she sighed-.. Your feet are still cut, battered and bruised from the eggshells you have walked on to survive around your family.. -she slowly ran that soft sponge down over the rounds of his shoulders.. delicate touches as she brushed that soap across his skin.. -.. The only way to win with toxic people Nautilous.. it not to play their game..-her arms just held him when he spoke on being heart sore.. and of how he couldn't be here anymore.. the memories were too strong.of both Sybelle and Sydel.. she sighed-.. I understand.. I do.. probably more than you realise.. -she knelt down so she could look to him.. the water now just cascading down his back instead of over his head.. -.. I felt the same.. when Thaylan disappeared.. it killed me.. I honestly felt like I had died.. and i wanted to.. I really did.. I desperately wanted to end it all.. -she reached up to slide his wet hair back behind his ears-.. I guess the only difference is I was not afforded the luxury of being able to run.. I had to stay.. I was married to Valkryn.. I was pregnant with Anya.. so I just swallowed my grief and I pushed on.. -she wiped away a few more of his tears-.. I understand you wanting to leave.. to not have to see the surface.. or Arvandor.. to not see this.. fated strawberry plant..or feel those wintry winds ..-she tilted her head-.. Its all very raw right now.. and you are open and wounded and vulnerable.. -her hands came down to rest atop his-.. and I get that.. I do.. I can see the pain in your eyes.. I can hear it in your voice.. But.. I dont think running away is the answer.. I wont tell you what to do..

-she shook her head-.. Im just giving you it from another perspective.. Grief will never truly end.. it becomes softer over time, a little more gentle and then there are some days where it can be as sharp as a blade.. But grief will last as long as love does Nautilous.. forever.. I have found it to be simply the way the absence of your loved one manifests its place in your heart.. A deep longing, accompanied by a deeper love. -she rubbed her lips together lightly-.. Some days the heavy fog may return.. and then the next day it will recede.. once again.. its a constant little dance of sorrow and joy, pain and the sweetest love.. -that garnet gaze looked up to him.. up into that mixture of brilliant blue and milky white-.. My advice to you Nautilous.. is to honour Sybelle.. for it was never goodbye.. it was a thankyou.. for coming into your life and giving you so much joy.. -she slowly moved to stand.. turning off that water as she helped him into one of those towelling robes.. they would make their way.. slowly toward her darkened room.. she'd settle him onto her bed.. making sure he was comfortable before she would sit back down at the desk beside it.. -.. We can go away for a while yes.. easily.. -she slid that pincushion wrap back around her wrist-.. we could go seek out my Father.. or head down to see if we can locate my Mothers old estate.. but.. you cant run forever.. what about your son.. your friends.. your family.. -she tilted her head-.. If young Rose is indeed in the family way I am positive you will want to see grandchildren yes?.. and what of young Aysil?.. you have a life in Arvandor.. You are more than welcome to come and be with us.. I would love that.. without question.. -she offered him a smile-.. but dont run forever.. its not a race you will win my dear..

she turned her attention back to the dress then.. applying a few more pins as she threaded the needle with an accuracy unheard of in this low lighting.. -.. Its quite surreal .. -she nodded a little.. a smile there upon her face..-.. I never.. ever thought I would get to marry him.. -she looked across to him-.. and you helped this happen.. you helped bring him back to me.. and.. I will.. forever.. and Ever be in your debt for it.. -she reached across to take his hand.. their fingers intertwining as she gave his a light squeeze.. Rose would come in then.. she settled back in her seat.. allowing the good Doctor to do her work.. to stitch and bandage.. the manoeuvre on the diaphragm was weird.. and definitely got her brow rising a little.. she made a few more stitches in the laced fabric.. only looking up when Sydel was mentioned.. nodding her head when she heard about the medically induced coma.. -.. Please do.. -she nodded.. hearing you were going to update them twice a day-.. I know she is in good hands with you both.. I will keep her in my thoughts and prayers to the goddess.. -she nodded.. placing the scissors down-.. Actually.. yes.. I would like to come and see you soon.. if I may.. when you have a spare moment of course.. not tonight.. today was incredibly taxing on everyone it seems.. but.. I need to go over a few things.. privately.. and I have some questions.. I would like to put toward you.. future trade and the like.. You can call upon me when you're free..-she moved to stand as she stepped across the room.. crouching down to collect one of the bottles of drow wine.. passing it across-.. I think you and young Jacob might need something a bit.. stronger.. after this morning.. its one of the lesser brews.. it wont knock you off your feet.. but it will calm jagged nerves.. -she reached across though..soft warm fingers would turn your head a little to the side so she could look at what was left of the bruising.. the swelling.. before she exhaled-.. Look after yourself Rose.. You're so very important.. -she let her hand fall back to her side as she returned to her seat.. glancing across to him as he seemed to sink down into the bedding properly.. Thaylan would arrive with the food.. cigarettes.. alcohol.. everything they could possibly desire.. -.. Welcome back dear Brother.. seems you come incredibly well supplied..

-she watched with a smile as the two of them cuddled in close on that soft warm bedding.. -.. What do we have here then mmm?.. -she placed the pins down that she had recollected as she picked up the boxes he had just given her.. she plucked at the ribbon atop one of them.. drawing the lid off as she glanced down at the necklace as she blinked.. one hand rose as she covered the shock her mouth was conveying.. the second box.. the third.. her eyes were considerably wider as her breath caught-.. Noo.. how did you.. I.. dont even know.. I'm.. -oh she was utterly floored.. she knew precisely what these were.. and though she never saw these items worn by their respective owners.. she had been introduced to them so many times in her visits.. they were pieces that held so much influence from incredibly powerful women.. -.. Oh My God Thaylan.. -she cradled the vintage beading and lace from the veil between her fingers.. as she wiped away the tears that were threatening to trickle down her cheeks.. -.. It couldn't be more perfect.. Thankyou.. a thousand times Thankyou.. -she had moved across to the bed there as she knelt up onto the bedding beside where the two of them were curled up so snug and warm.. she reached to cup her Brothers cheek.. leaning in to press her forehead to his.. -.. Nautilous wants to marry us tonight.. -she whispered.. reaching across then to take Nauts hand.. to hold it.. to clutch it as her fingers curled in.. her gaze remained upon her dear Brother-.. Are you ready?.. to be my Husband.. My Patron?.. finally.. after all these years?.. -her smile only grew as she pressed a kiss to the corner of his lips.. drawing back slowly as she went to place that veil back in its box gently..it was incredibly old afterall.. Nauts question had her nodding..-..

There are a few ways.. some are easier than others.. but it will be a massive cultural shift for you.. and a big change.. -she closed the box as she came to sit upon the edge of the bed.. looking to them both-.. Once established we would be considered a Noble House..I would lead it.. my rule would be absolute.. and enforced by my priestesses beneath me.. which.. -she exhaled-.. I only have one at the moment.. that being my daughter.. but none the less.. she would have authority being of age.. and training.. Below her.. would come my men.. -she offered a smile as she motioned to them both..-.. My Patron being my dear soon to be Husband.. and then of course a House Wizard and Weapons Master.. I do not have either of those.. But those two positions can be joined into one.. if the right person was ever found.. which.. well thats incredibly rare.. Its not an easy job.. it can be taxing.. and if you were desiring to come into our life.. to live.. with us..-she glanced toward Thaylan.. hoping they were on the same page.. nodding-.. Weaponsmaster would be where I might be able to see you.. I do not know of your skills when it comes to fighting and weapons knowledge.. I do not know if you have a military background.. or anything like that.. but from what I have seen you are more than capable to handle yourself.. and I feel.. you're smart enough to teach others in the same vein..The Weapons Master is an elite warrior chosen by the Matron to train the house warriors and eventually lead them into combat. You would need to be quick and deadly.. being the literal personification of every thing that we desire our fighters to be.. The issue though is that you are not Drow.. which the majority of persons in that role are. We would have to hold a trial.. and you would need to prove yourself, if you succeeded you would be then allowed to join my household.. no questions asked.. You would be considered a noble from that point on.

-she nodded.. there was so much information he needed.. and so much to learn.. but she wouldn't burden his mind with it all right now.. he had been through enough.. she reached for Thaylans hand.. fingers curled around it-.. as an added piece of security.. should you desire it.. you could revisit the idea of marriage.. to lock you to our House and to stop another Matron and House from luring you away.. as Thaylan has already explained it would not interfere with what you already have.. it would be something separate.. but.. its not something you have to decide right now.. its.. just a suggestion.. our Culture is incredibly vast and unusual in comparison to pretty much everything in the surface world and the magical plains above it.. -she slowly moved to stand.. -.. We may be cutting and quite savage at times.. but we look after our own with iron fists.. our family is important to us.. and we band together to keep us strong.. We welcome you Nautilous.. with open arms.. and open hearts.. the step is yours to take.. if you want it

[Deleted]

her heart was heavy .. its beating was slower than usual and turning into a bit more of a darkened throb.. she could hear it in her head.. and it was causing an ache she wasn't prepared for.. pain.. oh she hadn't felt pain in such a long time.. she'd just been so numb to everything.. to everyone.. having channelled so much energy into Sybelle she simply forgot about herself.. but she did it for the right reasons yes?.. she may have been in the wrong for it.. but her heart was in the right place yeah?.. her shoulders sunk.. she thought she was doing good.. she was being selfless and helping other people out.. but no.. the Brothers told her as much in not so sugar laced words.. and not only that.. she was being deceptive in what she thought was helpful practice.. she'd lied again.. without even registering that she had done it.. and that just made it 100 times worse.. she swayed a little on her feet the announcer was drowned out by the cheering and yelling coming from the crowd.. her lids blinked slowly.. they felt weighted on her drawn face.. a sharp sting hit her.. a circular blade had been thrown in her direction and it sliced across her upper right arm.. she reached around to clutch it as her perfectly pale skin was soon hit with streaks of scarlet red blood..

Oh.. it was beginning.. she needed to pay more attention.. but before she even got the first sentence out in her head she was knocked off her feet.. landing down hard upon her knees as she whipped her head around in time to catch a glimpse of two warlocks walking onto the field.. they were young.. barely half way through their training.. she could tell by the blue flags that were attached to their leather belts.. the colour of the gem in their staffs.. that and the sweat that was lining at least one of their brows.. she pulled herself to her feet as they met head on.. I cant do this.. I cant do this.. Im not strong enough.. she kept repeating to herself as she took more than a few knocks.. the crowd just booed every time she hit the dust.. every time a cloud of sand was sent up when she slid off into the distance because of some focused wind.. she grit her teeth as Syn told her to hang on.. that she could do this.. that she could get through it.. but she hadn't the strength to pull Syn through.. not properly.. she was nothing more than a voice.. movements were met.. actions returned.. cuts and bruising was appearing on the body back on the surface.. nothing severe just echos of what was happening.. the sweaty warlock was the first to go down.. his head being torn from his body.. bouncing down through the sand infront of the crowd.. though they didn't seem to know if they were happy about that or.. well annoyed.. still.. she was weak in comparison and this was only round one..

surely the general population wouldn't lose their bets.. the second warlock was a little more tricky.. little more agile and she was already tired.. heart and mind.. not to mention body.. the pair rounded on one another.. the warlock struck and she fended it off.. returning strike.. only to have it blocked.. this went on for a little while before she got frustrated.. do or die.. it would either work or she would fail spectacularly.. she bluffed the boy.. the kid took the bait and she came down on him harder than a sack of bricks.. the body landing hard in the sand.. suffocated as she ground his head down harder and harder as he thrashed around for a minute.. round two and three was over quickly.. the witches were weak.. and she knew their actions better than they did.. it didn't matter if it was four or six.. she'd trained with them afterall.. their heads flying off into the crowd.. one of the children picking them up and prancing around with it.. ahh the sick fuckery of Naggaroth..


Khorne:.. She's still too strong for this.. she needed to be weaker.. your intel didnt cut her down hard enough.. she should not have gotten to round 4


General: I know Sire, she has proven to be a bit more stubborn that we realised. However.. Round 5 will drop her down more than a few pegs.. I assure you


Khorne:.. It better, otherwise You General are round 6. Understood?!


General: -swallowed- Yes Sire



she could feel the blood pumping through her body.. hard and fast.. her heart had picked up a little.. the actions.. the fighting was keeping her mind distracted.. it was keeping her up and awake and making her more alert.. maybe she could do this.. maybe it was possible.. for her to finally leave here.. only what?.. 14 more rounds to go.. she groaned at the thought.. turning on a heel as the doors opened behind her.. it was a hulking behemoth of a beast.. easily twice the size of her.. an axe in one hand.. a hammer in the other.. his helmet had the tiniest of holes cut into it.. so he had sight issues.. a weakness she could work with.. he was big yes.. but he was also uncoordinated and no where near as pixie like as she was.. not many could catch her when she got going.. and she easily slid through his thick legs on more than one occasion.. dragging her body through the sand and dirt.. slicing up her skin in the process but.. she'd worry about that later.. in the end the hulking dude hit the dirt.. his ankles were bound.. his own axe used to slice through his neck.. though she nearly got squashed by him more than a couple of times.. his blood sprayed across her body.. making her look like a nasty murder victim..she slapped her hands together.. -.. Comeon.. What else have you got.. I dont have all fucking day for this nonsense

-she called out.. the crowd laughed and cheered.. hey they were getting a show out of it.. why not enjoy it ..she had picked up that axe.. drawing it down in size a little .. the door opened and she twisted into a defensive position.. before her breath caught.. oh her face fell.. she even dropped that axe..the figure walking out of that fifth door.. was Nautilous.. sure it wasn't really him no.. but it was the spitting image of the man she married.. her husband.. the one she had just seen getting it on with her lover.. Oh and that brought allllllll those thoughts back into the forefront of her mind.. and their child.. - Its not him.. its not him.. -she kept repeating to herself.. shaking her head as her brows drew inward-.. Its not him.. -she grit her teeth down as her eyes filled with tears.. she reached and gripped onto that axe as she took several steps backwards.. even as this figure swaggered toward her.. Oh it looked like him.. mannerisms.. the walk.. everything.. but no.. it couldn't be.. he wouldn't. -

[BadInfluence]

"Every Harlequin comes well prepared for every situation my dear sister." He said with a smile as he sat everything down in various places as needed, getting into the bed with Nautilous and just held him, he knew today was going to be one of the roughest in this man's life. A wife and child lost was incredibly harrowing, it could destroy a man if they weren't careful, far more than a woman. Men just... Lacked that sort of resilient fortitude that women had, something ingrained in them as the superior sex, the child bearer and the home maker. Men were... Brittle... In comparison. "Wedding gifts my love, this is going to be one of the most special days of our lives, and that calls for something just as special." It wasn't easy to track them all down, after all every mother who has a strong daughter often sends her out to forge her own territory, a queen bee to create her new colony. That meant between their families there were several great Navere houses but far spread, some having died out when a female was not had, and that had been the real tricky ones... He had broken into a bedroom or two to get those gifts back to the rightful female heiress of them.

"A lot if diligence and a good deal of webways but thanks to the great history of our family I at least knew where to look." Which was a damned important of all of it. Without thier families long running history those pieces he would never have been able to know where to look. And without Gia educating him? He wouldn't even know who was who in their family. "Don't thank me sweet sister, they are yours to wear, daughter to daughter down the line. I only returned them to the proper house. And, when Anya is ready, she will wear them too... And who knows if we are blessed with more daughters they too can, and theirs, down our lines forever." He said with a warm smile as she came over and kissed his forehead and he reached up, catching those tears on his fingertips, wiping them away before he'd kiss the trails they had left. His hand in hers and his other stroking Natuilious's head knowing he needed as much comfort as they could provide for him right now. The marriage tonight though made his heart swell and he couldn't help the beaming grin on his face. "I've been waiting my whole life to marry you my sweet sister. Tonight, tomorrow, yesterday or next year so long as I get to be with you my heart is content. You are the spider to my web Gia, I have no purpose, no reason for existing without you." He said, kissing her cheek once more, catching her lips at that next kiss and holding her close for several moments before she and Nautilous would begin to talk.

Gia was right on it all, and honestly if Nautilous were a Drow there would be no question, the lineage and connections he had would have landed him in Gia's court and her bed in a snap second... But being a pale skin meant that there was more than a little recoil and rejection to the idea. Half-bred babies were unpredictable and almost like thumbing their nose at their pure bred siblings and people. "While Gia is offering you time to think, and I do advise you to do it, I also know just how badly you want to run and change your life... I understand it too, you want to make the change before the past can come up and sink it's claws into your skin again, drag you back down into the grave your crawling out of." He knew that feeling insanely well because he had felt that way when he had his memories back, he suddenly saw everything he had lost, everything that was gone and he felt the overwhelming need to run home and back to her... The only reason he hadn't? Was because he had indeed waited too long and got wrapped back up in everything and his need to go home had been put on the back burner.

"He has a very long military history as a General in Khorn's army, his rank is extremely high and he's lead more than a few battles in various kingdoms, and so far as his track record goes he has never lost a battle. That will stand him in good stead for being the Weapons Master... And he has more than enough magic in his little finger to take over House Wizard too." It was his job to know everything about everyone, or at least all the important things, it was a Harlequins duty. Tell stories and record knowledge. Like Gia though he did worry a bit about the trial, not because he didn't think he could handle it, moreso because he was worried about those he faced off against. It would be too easy for him to wipe the floor with anyone else who would dare come against him and that would likely cause envy and ire from the other houses. "He will have to play down his abilities, beat them by a foot or so but not much more, elsewise we'll become targeted by other houses... Aside from that though yes... Do come with us Nautilous... You are our family now and what we have is yours..."

[BadInfluence]

Yeah the diaphragm thing WAS weird and normally she didn't have to do it because people didn't often move in a way that had it half collapsed, usually it was only acrobats like contortionist or tumblers, perhaps the random ballerina that needed it done. But the shot he had taken from his brother had literally had half of it drop, catching on a rib which would actually cause him to stop breathing altogether if not handled soon. Normally she would let people adjust... Get their things together but she didn't have the time to spend like that. She finished Nautilous up in some fast movements, very familiar to her but still she felt for him, this was some damn dirty deeds done between brothers. She'd speak to Gia then and fill her in on what was going on, thanking her for the drugs that were left for them, and she asked if there was any help needed or anything she could do in exchange for the aid. "I am always happy to see you Matron Gia. Anya is a very dear friend of mine and I would like to help you out as much as I can."



She had to go in and she'd take over for Jacob a bit, send him out to eat breakfast, take a shower perhaps... "Today was... Expected medically as much as it hurts. We knew the chances were terribly small, I'm just glad that we saved the little girl and Sydel, I'll call that a success even if a small one. I would love to take you down to see her sometime, she's such a pretty little thing." New babies always made the world seem... So much better. She was a bit surprised to see the wine brought over to her and she took it gratefully, holding it to her chest a bit, nodding her head softly. "Thank you so much I really appreciate this... It's likely hit Jacob much harder than he is letting on." And that's what they needed... Just some honey to sooth the burn because both of them were smarting. She couldn't stop the soft sigh at the gentle touch but she smiled all the same, a bit crooked and utterly adorable, nodding her head. "Oh you should see the other guy. He won't be hitting anyone for a while. I promise I'll take better care of myself though." She said and stepped back politely, bowing a bit before she'd leave, patting Nautilous's shoulder as she went by, pausing just a moment... Just there... "Sometimes you have to run to survive and fight another day Nautilous... There's not always a happy ending at the end of every book, sometimes you have to go through several horrible novels in a series before you find it, that bright light at the end. Just hold on... Keep reading, turn the page, start the new book... You'll find it... When it's time." She might be a kid compared to everyone here but that didn't mean she wasn't wise. Life hadn't been kind to her but it had been a damn good teacher.



She moved out of the room then and into her suit that she shared with Ace and Jacob, and that was when she knew he was gone, not just hiding out somewhere... He had been gone since last night, wasn't in their bed this morning, and now? All of his things were gone... His books, his small pictures, the guitar... She nearly dropped the bottle of wine before she caught it, placing it on the stand and just backed out of the room, refusing to let any of that register for her yet... Instead she went back into the medical wing of the house and would relieve Jacob, a gentle kiss to his cheek, telling him to go to their room, drink some of that wine and grab a nice long bath. She'd be up to join him in a little while. Once he had left she'd settle in beside Sydel and take up her hand, kissing the inner palm and holding it against her cheek for a moment, a warm sigh as she looked at her friend and her lover. "The whole world became a bit of a Wonderland, didn't it? Trapped in the Red Queen's court..." She said with a bit of a sad laugh as she'd stand up, settle the blankets about her a bit tighter, making sure she was kept warm and comfortable... Propped up... Brushing those straight lengths behind her ears and plaiting them down either side so it wasn't in the way of anything. "I hope you feel better soon, I miss you, you know that? I've liked you from the start... You're so strong and beautiful, you got this dry humor and it always made me laugh, and you made time for me to help me figure the things out in my head. You nearly gave me a heart attack when you flat lined, I thought I was going to lose one of my best friends, seriously." She said as she retook up that hand and gave it a warm squeeze.



"I don't know what you're going through there, I don't know what you have to do to come home, but just come home ok? Come home cause we miss you, we love you, and you have to be here and be my best woman when I marry your son." She said and she sat there beside her... Silent... Quiet... Looking carefully around the room so that no one was there to hear her... She didn't sing. Ever. But right now she wanted to share something she'd been working on... A little flare of magic as she pulled the musical recording she had made with the help of a certain someone and began to to play it as she sung... Her voice was not what people would think of normal or sweet for this time, she was moreso... Deeper voiced when she sang, her voice held so much soul, emotion as it went through it's highs and lows as she gave birth to the melody she'd been working on for over a year now...



"Oh so, your wounds they show, I know you have never felt so alone, But hold on, head up, be strong. Oh hold on, hold on until you hear them come. Here they come, oh.... Take an angel by the wings, Beg her now for anything, Beg her now for one more day. Take an angel by the wings, Time to tell her everything. Ask her for the strength to stay...Oh, You can, you can do anything, anything. You can do anything, You can, you can do anything, anything. You can do anything, You can, you can do anything, anything, You can do anything. You can, you can do anything, anything...You can do anything..."

[BadInfluence]

"I know... Which makes everything feel like an even deeper betrayal..." He was already struggling with it as it stood but that note gutted him in a way he had never felt before, just ripped his heart out of his chest, left him bleeding. He... Was betraying her when she needed him most but this all came at a time where he was already breaking... It was shit timing on someone's part, the ultimate betrayal, the perfect storm of things that had left him reeling and he was sinking... A ship in the middle of a tropical storm in epic proportions he was taking on more water than he could bale out, running afoul of jagged rocks and tropical reefs it was ripping his hull to shreds, leaving him crippled and easy pickings. "Can you even forgive yourself when your the cause of it though? When you made that choice knowing what was going to happen, how can you honestly forgive yourself, it doesn't seem possible." It wasn't like it was an accident... Sure, they had happened in his life from time to time, things out of his control but mostly? His mess was literally based on every choice he made, and worse still, he had dragged Sydel down with him. He had no idea what was going to happen or what he was going to do... He wanted to run away from it all because it was too much and he was so run down, warn thin like linen washed far too much, ready to tear if someone touched too hard.

She helped him out of his suit and he was grateful for it because it was just another reminder at this point. He didn't even want to remember the day, he just wanted to be numb, numb of mind and soul... They spoke on his brother and how he had hit Rose and she mentioned that she had seen her earlier and he nodded his head. "Yeah, cocked one off at her that was meant for me, I don't envy him." Like he said... He wasn't sure who tortured worse, witch elf or Drow, but as Gia explained it... Yeah... "Drow then... There's only so much physical torture you can take before it all becomes numb but mental shit... Yeah..." He knew that one first hand with Chaka and he could easily attest to their abilities for some serious mind fuckery. She helped him into the shower then and the hiss was just from the heat but it was good, it slowly started to sink into his muscles and his nerves, the little pill she had given him was seeping into his bones and helping take that edge off. He let her take care of him because he wanted it... It wasn't that he couldn't because he could, he had endured worse than this and pulled himself up by his boot straps, this was child's play but... It felt so good to let her take care of him, to let him be weak, to know he could lean on someone and not be dropped.

The talk about his mother though made him snort, something he regretted given it started his nose to bleed all over again, pinching it a bit to stem the flow before it stopped a bit. "She is to the very letter... She's above the world and everything in it. Diovan is her darling baby, the only one she wanted, I was a product of rape so she didn't have much reason to want me." She didn't terminate him at least, right? She was right about the toxicity of people though, he had started to cut a lot of them out of his life, especially his mother who he basically showed the door outside of her visits to see the kids. Hearing her talk about how it had hurt her when Thaylan disappeared, when she feared he had died and she had mourned, wanting to die herself but she couldn't... She had to stay strong, to be a mother and a wife, to rule her people...

Looking up into her eyes when she said she understood his need to run even as she wiped his tears away, the way she cautioned him not to run, that right now... She knew he hurt but... It might be wise to see this from another side, to perhaps wait it out, if only a little... He let out a shaking breathe as his shoulders shook. "I know... It's not right... And she needs me right now... More than ever before but... I don't know how to do this without pain Gia..." And he didn't want to feel that right now, he didn't want any of this, the raw pain and sadness that ached in his marrow. "I broke her so bad... I can't fix it this time... I don't even know if I can help anymore. If I stay I'm afraid I'll make it worse... Get sucked back in where we repeat the same thing we have and we just slowly die. You've shown me so much Gia and I can't say I didn't fall for you because I have... But I love my wife too, my heart... It's torn down the middle... Everything is torn...Ripped and scattered like bloody confetti..." He didn't even know how to put any of it back. The original picture had been over exposed to so much hate and misunderstandings that it couldn't be made out anymore... Did they try to take a new picture? Or did they simply gather the shreds in a bottle with salt and tears?...

Once they were up in her room he just fell into her bed while the three of them talked, he still wanted to run, still needed to hide but... Not right away no... He'd stay here and see Sydel through until she was better than then perhaps talk about the...Developments... "I know... You're right... I do... It's just... It's so rare for me to be afraid and now it's all I feel... Afraid... Cold... And empty. I want to see my grandchildren, I want to be there for Aysil's coming of age ceremony when she fully leaves the nest... I want to watch over the kids I've helped raise but..." But he didn't want to betray anyone... Gia or Sydel... And one thing he knew for a fact, no matter how good the woman was for him, or how steady he had his life... Sydel called and he followed her voice like a sirens song. He always had... He always would. He also had a gut feeling that Gia might not be as... Accommodating... To say... Something like a split marriage, half to her, half to Sydel... And he wasn't about to hedge that topic for some time anyways... But then again from his own track record waiting didn't exactly do him any fucking favors.

Speaking of marriage he offered to marry Gia and Thaylan tonight under the blooming trees and the full moon, it was going to be an utterly beautiful night, still warm and with a couple of candles it would be perfect. When Rose came in to help him yeah ok... OUCH... But it was good for him, he knew it in the way he could take a deep breathe, his ribs bound and his nose broken again so it was straight. Yeah... He saw stars for that one... Then Rose began to fill them in on Sydel and as she talked it sounded so much worse than he had thought... What had she been doing to run herself down so much? Surely being with Sybelle like that hadn't drained her that bad? It wasn't possible... Not even with the pregnancies... Something there stunk more than a bit... He lay there as Thaylan came in and he curled in close, accepting the warmth and support, the three of them talking back and forth... Wondering what it would take for him to move down there and become a part of their world... To merge in with the drow... And as they talked? He was given advice on both sides, both Thaylan and Gia had cautioned him on a lot of things, they definitely didn't leave anything vague... He was quiet for several moments, laying between the two of them and holding them both before he spoke, his words were soft and not surprisingly tired... "I'd like that, honestly, but I have to do the right thing first... Before I do something for myself I have to clean up the mess I've made for everyone else... Gia... Would you give me the time to fix things with Sydel?... Help her get well and then explain to her that I'm requesting a break in our marriage... For both of us to explore ourselves and see if coming back together... Is the right thing..." He was gambling a LOT right now and he knew it... He didn't want her to be offended, he didn't want her to think he thought less of her, or somehow disvalued her in his request. Rather it was because he valued her so much he didn't... Wouldn't... Go into this half cocked... Not anymore.

"I can love more than one person, like you love me but also love Thaylan, sometimes the heart needs more than one companion at a certain stage of their life... Fate brought us together Gia, from that kiss to this moment there is a connection between us, a deep and flourishing love... And I ask you... Beg you... Please... Don't think less of me... For wanting to try and do what is right... Versus what my heart wants..." But... If she did take offence and booted him out... Then he'd accept it like a adult and hopefully become friends or at least amicable associates.

After some time though sheer exhaustion won out from the fight and the emotional turmoil and he fell into a deep sleep that he wouldn't be woken from. He still breathed, his heart still beat, but he was in a coma like state himself... Where his soul went was the same as hers had gone earlier, wondering who the fuck had the balls to drag him down to Naggoth without his permission, let alone given the situation he was in. When he saw who it was though his rage stopped for several moments and he went very quiet. Crahvyn, she had said her name was, the spitting image of Rose with cats green eyes and nails lacquered in venom. She was beckoning him forward, telling her that Sydel was being put through rigged trials, fighting to earn her freedom from her father. Now, he knew they had talked about it on and off but he hadn't thought she would actually go through with it, it was... It was just who she was... Wasn't it? But... Maybe it wasn't anymore... He had changed a lot and perhaps now... She was too? He could have snuck in quietly... Or....

He teleported to the damned ring and showed up in a sudden explosion of flame, that bloody dripping armor over his frame, all his scars on display and his hair slicked back... The white cloak trailing behind him as he strode in and instantly impaled the imposter him through the temple with the tip of his broadsword, neatly slicing his skull in half top to bottom before chucking it into the crowd who were a mix of boo's and cheers. He didn't say anything to Sydel but he looked at her, trying to tell her without words that he was sorry, but he was here now... He'd march up the stands to where the throne was, cutting down anyone who dared to even try to come close to him, chucking bodies and limbs into the masses before he'd reach the top and slam the blade down right between Karnes legs and terribly close to turning Karne into Karen... "I recall... We spoke about this before..." And he and Karne had gotten into one hell of a fucking battle, it was so fierce it shook the very webways themselves. "You were to stay the hell out of her life and look at this shameful display... Making her fight for what? What do you want Karne? Why the hell do you keep dragging her back? What ever you want I'll give it to you myself. Just Let. Her Go. You've made her suffer enough." He said, turning his gaze from Karne to Sydel down in the ring there, bloodied and tired, defeated... "And so have I... So I'm done hurting her and letting you do it to her too. Name your price."

[Deleted]

They had settled back in her chambers.. the darkened room off to the side.. not a glimpse of sunlight would float through those heavy velvet curtains.. but soft glowing lanterns meant they weren't completely in the dark.. she made sure he was comfortable there upon the soft bedding as she turned back to the table.. her fingers were busy when she listened to him speak.. talking on fear.. how he felt cold and empty.. his desires to see his grandchildren milestones for Aysil.. - mm its not the future that you're afraid of.. -she slid the needle through the soft lace fabric-.. Its the fear of the past repeating itself thats haunting you.. -she couldn't really give him advice on what to do in situations where his children were the main piece.. she had a daughter and she would do all and everything for Anya.. regardless of how she felt inside.. her children always came first.. Thaylan had come into the room.. with food and drink.. cigarettes and gift boxes.. she offered him a smile.. lightly brushing her hand across his as he shifted across to comfort Nautilous there in the bed.. the gifts were a surprise.. a welcome one no less..

Family heirlooms that she thought were long lost.. pieces of power from generations before hers..and things she could then pass down to her daughter when the time came.. it warmed her heart and made her a little emotional.. the dress was beautiful.. but with the additions it just made it hauntingly perfect .. they shared a moment.. just something small with a smile warm enough to melt ice.. before the topic changed to that of Nautilous integrating into Drow society.. she had sunk down upon the edge of the bed there.. going into great detail.. it wouldn't be simple.. or easy by any means.. he was not drow after all.. but he could prove himself if he had the right skills.. she would need a weapons master and a house wizard.. and if he was able to take either of those positions or an amalgamation of the two well then he would become a noble.. and he would never be questioned again.. she was unsure on his history.. military or otherwise but her brother filled her in.. nodding -.. Thats really quite an impressive resume.. -so yes.. after the new intel she knew he could do it.. the fact he had to down play his abilities meant he was more than skilled.. his response though made her pause .. it was slightly nonchalant.. she was a touch surprised though it wouldn't register on her features..

moving to stand then from the bed as she moved back to her table.. settling back in as she picked up her pins.. her attention back upon the vintage lace and silk...was there a word.. for that feeling you got when you were on one hand surprised.. but then on the other you saw it coming from a mile off.. because thats where she was.. for with his words came the doubt she was waiting for.. she nodded her head as she slid the scissors through the neckline.. -.. I dont have to give you anything Nautilous, I dont own you.. You are free to go how and when you please.. I havent ever said otherwise.. -her head tilted a little to the side as that garnet gaze lifted.. looking to him a moment.. and in those moments and with what followed he might have seen that twitch in her gaze. the talk on loving more than one person.. and doing what was right versus what his heart wanted.. and right then.. Right that second she heard her dear Mothers voice in her ear.. 'Your gut feeling is Always right Gia, - no exceptions'.. she took a breath and placed the scissors down.. a couple of pins soon followed-.. I'm not the kind of person who changes my mind on a whim, Im not flighty or scatterbrained.. I make choices every day and I own those choices.. I would not think less of you.. or judge you for doing what you feel is right.. -she tilted her head-.. I hope you find, what you are looking for Nautilous.. just remember..The easiest part is making up your mind, convincing your heart on the other hand.. is the hard part..

-she lingered a moment longer before she glanced toward Thaylan a moment.. her usual poker face was on.. stoic.. but he would know deep down she was.. well more than a little torn.. she turned her attention back to the dress then.. turning it over as she began to work on the back of it.. cinching in the waistline.. flaring it out a little about the hips.. she had a lot more of an hourglass whereas her mother was a bit more straight up and down.. silence fell in the bedroom then.. just the soft sounds of content breathing when Nautilous had fallen asleep.. and the snip.. snip.. snip of the scissors as they slid through the old silk.. -.. Brother.. -she took a breath as she looked up from her work.. her voice was soft.. quiet.. she didn't want to wake him-.. I think.. given everything thats happened today.. we shouldn't burden him with our ceremony.. at least not tonight.. in as much as I would love it.. and think it all manner of magical.. I think given the circumstances.. its not the right time.. -she placed everything down as she came and settled upon Thaylans side of the bed.. just seated.. her hands took up his own-.. we will soon though love.. very soon.. -she reached to cradle his cheek.. soft warm fingers holding-.. You should rest.. traversing the webways is exhausting and your legs wont be fully healed.. Keep him company.. make sure he is safe.. -she leant in to capture his lips.. soft and sweet-.. I am going to go for a wander myself.. I think I need a bit of a walk.. the weight of the world is getting a bit heavy on my shoulders.. and You know me well enough to know that I just need a little space.. -she offered him a smile.. slowly moving to stand from the bed there as she shifted across the room.. the fact she pulled a piwafwi instead of a house coat would tell him she was heading home for a while.. -.. I will be back before the night is out.. Im just going to go check on Anya.. relax and get comfortable ..-she would reach back as she pulled that green hood forward.. giving it a bit of a tug as she slipped out of the room..-

[Deleted]

she had backed up more than a few steps when this figure that looked an awful lot like Nautilous had come into view.. swaggering toward her before the blade slid through the guys head as if it were made of butter.. her pale gaze widened considerably what the fuck was that?.. before the body slumped and the head was thrown off into the crowd..she followed it with her gaze before she turned to look back upon him standing there.. thats when her brow rose.. confusion evident as she blinked.. more than a few times.. before he stalked off toward the throne.. cutting off guards and warriors here and there.. her hand rose as she rubbed the side of her head.. oh it was aching.. what was going on.. she was so confused.. -


Kharne twitched when that blade hit the wooden supports.. -.. Oh shut the fuck up Nautilous.. -he waved his armoured hand dismissive-.. You are mistaken.. I did not call her here.. or drag her here.. or even Request her.. none of us did.. If you had done your homework you might have known this.. -he sunk back in his seat.. his hand rubbing across his chin-.. But I guess hey.. youve been a bit busy.. dipping into the dark skin.. -he laughed-.. She came here on her own.. she just turned up .. -he shrugged-.. like a few hours ago.. stumbled in declared she desired freedom.. -his gloved hands fell back to his lap-.. her Father reminded her of what she had to do to obtain that freedom.. she understood it.. its the law of the land Nautilous.. anyone that wants freedom after being in Khornes employ has to complete the 10 round trial.. now.. she's just lucky.. since she's his daughter.. she's got.. what..-he turned to one of the generals.. nodding his head-.. 18.. You though just disrupted number 5.. tut tut.. so she'l have to do that one again.. -he turned to look down to her in the arena.. rolling her busted up shoulders-.. Its interesting.. id been often told you were her.. babysitter.. her personal Knight for hire.. always coming in and saving the day.. cleaning up the mess.. -he lit the end of a cigar-.. seems its true.. huh.. Word to the wise boy.. She's always going to be reliant on you.. if you dont let her Do anything for herself..-he chuckled.. a few streams of smoke floated up into the air-.. we may have broken her spirit.. a little.. but thats not anything new.. we do it to everyone.. However.. she was Fucked before she got here.. As for you offering something.. I dont think you have anything I want.. Offer her Father something.. maybe then he will consider it.. -he waved his hand as the flags rose once more..-


Sy shifted her footing.. glancing back over her shoulder.. wondering what the Fuck Nautilous was doing here.. at least she figured it was him.. then again.. her head was fucked.. maybe she was wrong.. the flags went back up and the gates opened from the side.. an armoured elf stalked in.. possibly a mixture of sylvan and witch.. she was tall.. her hair was long.. braided and she held two long swords.. a bow attached to her back.. Sy was thrown two shorter swords.. it would force her into closer combat.. the enemy given an unfair advantage but hey.. thats how these things always worked.. she was running on fumes alone.. fumes and a growing anger.. the clangs of swords would sound out as the two fell into heavy blade to blade combat.. agility was matched.. though Sy did manage to lob off that long braided pony tail of hers.. The sylvan swung wide.. Sy bent backwards.. low nearly losing her balance in the process but the sharpness of the sword just about took the tip off her nose.. when the Sylvan was turned fully.. with her back to Sy she spun on a heel so their backs were met.. right sword through left side of the elves body from behind.. left to the opposite.. two swift hard movements as she grit her teeth.. the elf stumbled forward.. hilts of blades pressed firm against shoulder blades.. and when the elf fell front on those swords slid out.. the puddle of blood just grew.. being soaked up by the sands as runners dragged the body off the field.. she slumped down to sit.. -

[BadInfluence]

Hey if your in for a pound, your in for a penny, right? Shoot for the stars so that even if you fall short of your goal? You'll still end up among the clouds. She'd be happy with just the two little stowaways on board along with this little bundle but why not try? See where it took them? Garafin deserved to leave behind a massive family legacy, and the best way to do that, well that was through children. "you know you're insanely cute when you call me flower names there handsome." She said with a warm smile as she leaned into him just a bit there in that moment. "I know, less than four months away now, I'm actually really excited... And to think you were the person I ran from as a kid and now look at me. All wrapped up around you." Sure he was quite a bit older than her but she couldn't care less. She loved him and that big heart of his, the booming voice like a bear, those twinkling blue eyes like the very ocean he loved to sail on. Seriously, who wouldn't have fallen head over heels for him? The gray hair bit had gotten her and she just laughed, stating it wouldn't be noticed on her but him, oh he'd be busted for being a serious cradle robber and his reply still had her laughing. "Oh yeah I'll make sure to take advantage of it too! Someones got to check on my feet for me. I won't be able to see them for about a year on and off."

He was right though, she got hit on quite a lot at the Inn and when she was helping him at the docks, she was strong and spoke several languages so she was a huge asset in trading. The difference was that she really didn't give two pins about it. Oh sure, she teased them for flirting, gave them a good old run but never actually encouraged it. Always turned it away in a very amicable way. Before they knew it though their little girl was being carried towards them and then it was curtains down, end of one act of her life and the start of another, this white haired little cherub... She'd live a charmed life, full of lots of love and laughter, adventures and the whole big world to see... "She's so tiny... Like a little doll..." She said as they all curled in together as a family as she looked up to catch his own tear and she laughed just a little bit. "Look at us... Tough as nails we are and yet we're crying over our daughter... She's going to run us over..." She kissed his tear away before she worked out the best hold for feeding, a good deal awkward but they found out a way that worked for them, grateful that there weren't any issues. So far? It was going so beautifully smooth...

Jacob had come over and given their congratulations and a bit of friendly advice, Garain himself able to explain he got it now, that it finally sunk home what made people so baby crazy... So in love... She thought about the questions asked and the offer, adjusting a bit more as she pondered it over, running her fingers over that downy thatch of hair as she helped keep Sylwyn stable and feeding well. "Probably better to stay a day or a bit longer at least. She was just born and that's a pretty harrowing adventure for such a little one. If we stay we can make sure that she is safe and happy, plus it gives us time to figure each other out with help on hand right next door, but are you sure you don't mind a bit of a stay? We didn't pack for anything more than an overnight stay..." Yeah... So that was real though... All their baby stuff and what not was back home in Arvandor. "Bit of roughing it a little bit and some on the fly nappies but we'll do."

[BadInfluence]

He knew what they were offering... How heavy it was... What it meant. Just like he knew what he was asking in a lot of ways might be seen as horrifically unfair and greedy. He was a greedy man though, he wanted his cake and he wanted it eat it too, and saw no reason most times that he couldn't do just that... But with Gia it was different... SHE was different. She wasn't the type of woman to settle in anything less than what she was giving. She gave 100% and she expected that much at least, and if you didn't? She'd walk. She knew her worth and that alone was why he was so damned torn... So... Utterly twisted inside. "I have known my path for so long it's almost boring but now that it's gone I can't tell where to put my foot. A misstep has ripples, even on concrete." It would only take a small nudge, a toe out of line and BAM, that would be it. End of the story and the possibilities that might have lay before him. "I'm just... Stuck... Afraid to move..." Afraid of a lot of things which was insane because he hadn't felt fear since he was a child, let alone in the amounts he did now, that cold sweat gut wrenching kind of fear that makes you want to vomit...

Thaylan had come in them with gifts and food stuffs as well as snuggles as the three of then spoke and he knew... He knew when he had done it... The moment that cold wind started to run across his skin he could hear the door starting to close... He could have ripped his own tongue out but what could he have done different? Lied to her? Never. As it was they had already agreed on lying to Sydel about it... But then everything had taken such a dramatic turn for the worse... It was like Sydel was being punished for his choices and as it was she had already done that enough in his mind. He paused for a moment, he wouldn't reply for some time in fact, he'd let her speak until she had nothing more to say to him in the moment and only then did he actually talk. "But you to Gia... More than you know. If I didn't think so I wouldn't have asked... I'd just leave and let you sort the chaos of my departure on your own. For the first time... I care about how my actions affect someone else. I'm trying to find a way to mend my past and close the door on it so I can go with you, and before this surgery today Gia it would have been fine, a few notes and I would vanish happily with you for years if not forever... But today has been full of pain, turmoil, chaos and death... The clean closing of a door that I had intended is no longer possible and I don't..." He took a deep breath, or at least as deep as he could before he tried again, several starts and stops at this point.. "I don't want to lose you while I try to clean up my life... You've taught me so much in a day Gia... So much and I don't want to stop learning... I don't want to stop being around you, with you, as a part of your life and your partner. If I leave now... It will haunt me... It will compound all the other wrongs I've done in my life and then I would always feel as though I didn't do the right thing... I won't drag you down like that even though I know you are strong enough to survive it I... Just want you to be happy... With me... All of me..." Was it enough? He couldn't tell but he wasn't going to be able to stay awake to find out. Minutes later his body was forcing him to sleep against his will and dropped him hard out of reality and into a revere where his soul landed in Naggoth in a show of fire and blood.

Crahvyn was snuck him in, told him what was going on and got him to where it was being held, the information there... He teleported to the scene and wasted no time dispatching the fake him in a shower of blood as the body hit the floor, it was a good copy, but Sydel knew him better... He had made a promise to her... She'd always see him with his true face, the scars, and that copy? Was just as flawless as his glamor always was. Marching up to Kharne he dispatched any and all who tried to slow him down or keep him from his goal before he'd slam that blade down close enough to give Kharne the twitches. And of course, leave it to the man to go about with his schpeal of word vomit... "You space marines are all the same, yickity yickity yack yack yack." He said lowly, leaning in hard, making sure the space between he and Kharne was insanely uncomfortable on Kharnes end. "I am what she needs me to be, Knight, Maid or Assassin, care to imagine which task she needs me for today, hmm?" He'd ask, a flick of his wrist had a lethal dirk in his hand and pressed with the tip just piercing Kharnes adam's apple, pressing in till blood was being drawn. "Tell me, lap dog, does her father know the entire reason she's so bleached out and weak? Hmm?" He'd ask, leaning in a bit closer, a touch more pressure on that blade. "She's been tampered with on the day she died and made her first decent because someone was covering up his tracks and his failures... She was never supposed to die, but you... Oh you slipped up matey... All because your wife Caela Anikin decided her baby sister wasn't going to ever reach her full potential..." Yeah... What did everyone think he did in his free time? Drink tea and nibble cakes? Knit tea cozies? As if. He was hard at work, following the trail of breadcrumb clues, sometimes having to go months between finding the next one because so many things had been destroyed and witnesses killed. "Why don't I just... Stroll on down to Korne and say hi to dear Uncle for a moment... Let him know that his favorite brown noser has been lying to him for well over fourty years about just what happened to make his daughter so weak. Yeah... I think I'll do that... Give this group quite a show..." He said with a vicious, insane grin, the light in his eyes was gone and there was just this flat blue that soaked up any light but did not reflect it... Dead, cruel eyes, the eyes of a man without conscience or guilt... The man who had won Kornes heart so many years ago. For while he was far better than he had ever been before? You can't completely wipe out that sort of madness, it's a fever in the blood, it always lingers and while you can leash it... You can't erase it.

He began to walk down the stairs then, that blood chilling smile on his face would have had her hair in ringlets so tight they could hold a pencil within them and not drop it. "Come along Princess, let's go pay a visit, we got some chips to cash in... I wonder how many times a space marines head will bounce? And imagine... We might get to watch the torture! Oh! Maybe even be a part of it so we get out where he's been hiding Caela at! Ha ha! Oooh it almost makes me want to skip!" He said happily, honestly there was a down side to his visits down here, especially if his body above was weakened... The other side of him was able to come out WAY too easily... And lasted a good deal longer....

[BadInfluence]

He'd seen a lot of people in a lot if different positions in his life, the good the bad and the ugly, and sometimes the downright stalemate. He could understand the mans position, the struggle to move, to take a step because a step meant change... Good change or bad he wouldn't know until that step was indeed taken, and as such Nautilous refused to make it, or most of one... He knew it was scary, quite the fight, and always complicated in matters of the heart. He'd not said much outside of the bit he had until Nautilous had fallen asleep in which case he then silently slid out of the bed to go to her side, to wrap his arms around her waist and just hold her close for a moment. "I have waited forever to marry you... A few more days won't change anything my sweet sister." She was right and he was indeed tired, his legs were throbbing but he couldn't remain idle, he just took it very gently... Still, the person he worried about right now wasn't himself but her. "You have been given a good deal today to think on and none of it has been light... It is also not easy to support someone only to know they will fall back into the same pattern that destroyed them in the first place." And it was true. Gia had gambled high and he knew this was all a lot on her, her heart might even be a bit sore, for falling in love was always going to be a somewhat painful process in parts.



"Perhaps... I can be of some assistance here... But before I offer it I want to be sure that you do indeed love him my sister... That he is someone you do truly want with us and to marry. He wants you, that is clear, clearer that the nose on his face... And I do, personally, believe he loves you... But he has not known love before Gia... Not like us... He might be afraid to accept it, to take that go, for once you have something you've always longed for? You fear that it will be stolen away..." He would try and act as a sort of mediary between these two, he knew his sister had a beautiful heart and mind but she also tolerated no nonsense, you were either 100% or not at all. She gave no middle ground in matters of the heart... And she was entirely right to do so. She could be patient though... If the reasons were right but given the situation he doubted she felt it so. He'd pull out the smallest box then, holding it out before he would flip open the black velvet lid, revealing a beautiful rose gold spider ring within it, the abdomen a crystalized spider sack of the finest white and complete with a thousand little spiders within it. He'd take her hand and slide the ring onto her left hand before lifting it to kiss her palm and hold her close a moment longer. "Go to our daughter, tell her of the impending wedding, let her find some joy... Think long and hard about what you feel is in your heart, do not think about his own struggles, think only of what you desire... And if you do indeed want him, I will take him to Cherogache and we will recruit him, he will lose his memories but in turn he will be ours... He has nothing to lose... And everything to gain... We might make the choice for him but as Drow we often make these hard choices for our people for their own benefit... It is... Something to think about..." He'd kiss the side of her neck gently, his hand dropping down to cover her belly, to fan out and cup over her womb. "No matter what happens though... This is our miracle... Take joy in the fact we may yet still have more children... That you may be pregnant already as of last night... There is much happiness in this storm my love... And I am here to ride it out with you no matter what."



ring

[BadInfluence]

He thought he knew pain, the shit that Vanima had put him though had been extremely bad but that had shit on what Rose had just done to him, she went straight for the jugular in a one two punch. Mental and physical abuse along with a super health dose of guilt trip and reminding him of things he didn't want to think about. How could anyone fall in love with someone who could be THAT mean? Oh yeah, himself for Sydel, though likely if Sydel were in Rose's position she'd probably just kill him and leave him for the birds.

After a couple of hours of introspection though he found the vines were loosening before they'd disappear entirely but the cuts would remain, fine like paper cuts and just enough to drive him almost to twitching with it. He opted to bind his hands a bit like a burn victims so his skin didn't rub together which helped a little, at least got him from twitching in his own skin as he made his way down to the medical wing. It was a fucking mess, you know? Like, in one day he lost his son and his wife, nearly lost his fiance and his Mistress. His brother was too busy being his brother as per usual, a thousand things at once and because of that he felt like the man wasn't there the way he should be, his world should be destroyed and utterly shaked up but instead his brother had a calmer and more neutral expression than ever before and it pissed him off...

STILL pissed him off.

But that was a good thing in a way... The rage kept everything else at bay, and then when Rose got him the pain had done that too, but now? Now he had to face it all and he knew he wasn't ready. He'd lost his father when he was still living at home, he knew what it was like to lose someone you loved, but this was on a whole different level... A different pain... Way too big, too raw for him to process, especially since he had chosen to fight... To stay alive...

"Hey..." He said softly as he sat beside Sydel's bedside, taking up her cool hand in his, just holding it in his own much warmer one. "I wonder if you know... How lost I am without you. You never knew it but I was always chasing after you. You were brave, fearless honestly and I envied that about you so much, I just wanted to be a part of your world. I wish I had that bravery so I could have told you sooner how much I loved you... But I want you to know that I do Sydel... I love you so much. I know..." He paused for a moment, taking a breath and letting it out shakily, letting his forehead rest on the back of her hand. "I know I fucked up... So much... I let you down time after time. I should have been brave, I should have stayed that night, I should have gone to get you no matter who I had to beg." As Rose had pointed out... He had come up with reasons not to go find her versus actually going... Worse still he had thrown those in her face when she was already down. He had kicked her at her lowest and that was something that was not even remotely acceptable.

"I'm sorry that I said what I did Sydel... You were hurting but instead of holding you up... I just knocked the legs out from under you... I was greedy and selfish and only thinking of myself... I hope... When you come back you'll let me try again... I'll be a good friend, a better husband, and the partner you deserve..." He just hoped she would... He had a lot to catch up on, a lot to make up for in regards to falling short in their years together, and he really wished for that chance. He had a world to learn, he had a man in himself waiting to come forward, the one who had decided to fight and live versus die... Surely now... HIs adventure was ready to being.

[Deleted]

she felt his arms sliding around her waist.. his touch was always welcomed.. it calmed her.. settled her heart that was feeling a little bit more than jagged in that moment.. she had placed the pins down as she reached back for him.. fingers would find their place interlaced against the back of his neck..they had decided to leave the wedding for now.. with everything that was happening it was just bad timing and she felt it would carry some bad memories.. that not even she was prepared to take on.. he spoke on being of some assistance though.. her head tilted to the side as that garnet gaze lifted to meet his own.. - There's no sense lying about it.. especially not to you.. you know me better than anyone.. I do..I do love him.. Its not something that I have felt often in my life so far.. but I have come to recognise that.. familiar hold upon the heart...but i think also thats what makes this all so much more sharp.. the clarity behind it.. when i should by rights have been thinking logically.. -she exhaled.. she was the most disappointed in herself.. her heart ached in her chest..it was an unnatural throbbing that she had not felt in a very long time.. but she knew she had to be stronger than that.. so she was.. she simply was..

he brought out the little box.. revealing the ring there as a smile slowly crossed those ruby painted lips of hers-.. Oh Thaylan.. -she spoke in a hushed whisper.. watching as he slid it onto her finger before she felt his warm lips against the inside of her palm.. she leant in a little to press a kiss to his forehead.. drawing him in tighter.. the two of them just embracing.. there in that dimly lit bedroom.. she told him she needed a little time and knew that he would understand it.. sometimes she just needed a bit of room.. to destress.. and right now.. Nautilous had managed to get her all so wound up in a span of 10 minutes that she felt she were about to burst.. he made his offer.. of taking Naut back to his God.. that he would lose all his memories.. and then in turn become theirs.. her lids half closed as she exhaled softly.. reaching to cradle his cheeks-.. I do love him.. more than I think I am willing to admit.. and I know dear Brother that your heart is in the right place.. and I love you so very much for it.. -she leant in so their foreheads were touching.. her hands falling to his shoulders-.. but no.. I can't do that.. I need to make the hard choice here...like you said...I need to be the adult-she paused a moment.. letting her lids close over- . He has a family.. he has children.. -her voice got a little shaky-.. and whilst I know our situation was not ideal.. i know it in my heart that you would take it all back to have been able to be there for Anya.. so no.. I couldn't do that to someone I care about.. he has to make a choice.. and if its heading where I think it is.. well.. in a few days I think we should move on.. find our home.. -she tilted her head up.. brushing her lips to the corner of his before she would slowly disengage from him.. stepping back to draw on her cloak.. the hood forward..she was stronger than this.. she just had to keep chanting that.. in her head as she slipped out of those chambers.. and disappeared-

[Deleted]

He watched her.. the way she held their new daughter.. she was a natural.. it all looked so easy.. so smooth.. he figured that maybe on the inside it wasn't quite so.. and there might have been a bit of anxiety there.. but you'd never know it.. he just remained close.. Jacob had approached and offered his congratulations.. the words were warm and sweet.. it just made him smile all the more.. idly he wondered what had happened to the Brothers.. they were here just a moment prior he was sure of it.. but now.. it seemed as though the place had gone dead silent.. he asked her if she wanted to stay.. it was up to her entirely.. he was easy either way and was more than happy to settle in or uproot as the case may be-.. I dont mind at all beautiful .. I dont mind if we stay a day or two.. or a week.. we leave when you are ready and not a moment before.. the clothes and stuff.. eh.. -he waved his hand a little-.. I am positive they will be handled.. if I know this group of people well .. they know how to source things like that quickly and without issue.. dont you worry about a thing.. you just get comfortable.. -he slipped down from the side of the bed.. careful not to disturb their daughter as he shifted across the room and got her a cup of water from the jug .. sliding a straw down into it as he moved toward her.. offering her a drink should she need it.. he knew her hands were quite full -. If you need anything.. at all just sing out.. Ill find it somewhere here.. I'm sure its incredibly well stocked.. food or drink wise.. a blanket maybe?.. some more pillows? -yeah he might be a little nervous or.. maybe feeling quute useless since he had Nothing to do right now other than to watch and marvel at the sight before him-

[Deleted]

Kharne: he shifted about in his seat a little.. looking maybe a touch uncomfortable at the jabs being taken in his direction.. that deadly gaze of his narrowed when you brought up Sydels past.. Oh he knew he fucked that one up.. he knew he made a mistake there.. and he had tried in earnest to cover it up.. thinking No one knew about it.. especially not about Caela being his wife.. he seethed.. he looked as if he were about to explode with anger.. gloved fingers having long since balled into fists there as he watched the white witch elf slay the sylvan with an unnatural ease regardless of the fact she was meant to be broken.. though when you said you were going to stroll on over to Khorne..and you began to walk down those steps he growled-.. FINE.. -he grunted taking in a sharp breath as he held it a moment before he puffed it out..-.. Infuriating.. I sware it.. -he snapped.. he knew he would be tortured for life if Khorne knew he fucked up THIS badly.. -.. FINE.. fine.. -he waved his hand and the crowds in the aisles began to get ushered out by guards.. there was a lot of hollering and yelling.. but everyone knew better than to argue with a guard.. especially one with a huge hulking axe.. soon enough it would be just Kharne.. Nautilous and Sydel.. though she was still in the middle-.. I will give her what she wants.. -he growled.. clearly unhappy with the idea-.. But.. I dont think you realise what this means.. do you lover boy?.. The moment she leaves here she will hold no memory of here.. she will no longer know who her Father is.. She will no longer fall under the protection of Naggaroth and will never.. Ever be able to return.. -he sneered-.. But the cherry on top.. if she dies.. On your watch.. May the gods help you Nautilous.. because not only will she be unable to return.. but you will have all Chaos raining down upon you.. Her death is permanent.. there is no limbo.. there is no shifting to a new host.. if she dies pretty boy.. She's Dead.. Now get the Fuck out of my arena.. -he huffed as he moved down the aisle beside him.. stepping down through some side doors and he was gone.. silence fell.. no sound.. nothing


Other than the sound of her knees hitting the dirt.. -.. Oh.. -she blinked-.. Oh I dont feel so good..Did I get hit?.. -she patted her hands across her lightly armoured body.. trying to find a bloody patch or a gaping wound.. panic setting in.. her head was growing foggy.. she was getting maybe a little woosy as if she'd had too much to drink.. but all it really was..rejection..she was being rejected from Naggaroth.. -.. Where is everyone?..Did I win?.. Did I get through all 18?.. I .. I dont remember.. My Head Hurts -she blinked as she looked around.. only now seeing the arena emptied.. the silence though was deafening.. she span around.. until she saw him in the stands.. near where Kharne would have been up until just before.. -.. Nautilous?.. -she sounded frightened.. physically she was changing.. not just here but on the table back on the surface.. her eyes were going darker as if those red streaky veins were just filling the white voids with blood.. that same charcoal fire was creeping up her forearms..Syn would slide into play.. her head would jerk.. her body would twitch as if she was being stuck with needles at irregular intervals..-.. Oh for the love of ..-she growled-.. No.. what have you done?..

-she reached up to hold onto her head as if she was lacking the physical control of her neck to hold it straight-.. the baby.. I sent it away.. i sent.. -her voice was coming out a little robotic-.. I sent it away to save it.. it wasn't meant to die.. she.. she begged me to save it.. what went wrong?.. -she grit her teeth.. looking to him-.. You better watch her.. like a hawk.. she relies on you.. she relies on you and the other.. i.. i wont get through ..I live here..but..but..she doesnt...not anymore.. . -she stiffened back on the table in the medical room.. but back in the arena she crumpled to the blood covered sand.. eyes closed.. inky streaked skin gone.. voice softening...she could hear Diovan.. she was sure of it.. his voice was circling her mind though it had the most horrendous echo.. her heart was hurting.. her body was throbbing..-.. im sorry.. -she whimpered before she faded out.. leaving behind little more than a shadow of where she had been.. the body on the table would soften.. no longer stiff...no markings left of a god.. no golden roses.. no chaos runes.. just soft cold pale hands.. a peaceful face.. but a very strong.. very healthy heart beat-

[BadInfluence]

"There is nothing logical about love my sweet sister. If we were logical, we would not love each other, our very relationship is considered taboo among most races and religions..." If they had been logical...Practical... They would have avoided that first touch... The shy kiss... The inevitable tumble into bed where once ventured could never be undone. "Be gentle upon yourself my tender love, you have not fallen in love in many years, and while the situation is not idea all is not lost." Natuilous came with many leashes, many ties and knots, a virtual maze of connections that could take many years to undo... But for the heart? A hundred years is but a day... They had the time if they wished it, dow's lifespan as a noble was higher than even that of a sun elf, they could easily live long enough to find a way to be happy together. "He loves you, I saw it for myself, sweet sister. One can not lie to a harlequin, we see the truth in all things, and his love glows for you like the sun... You love him as well, let it not be a weight upon your shoulders, simply a new adventure to be taken up... We are Drow, we know that life is a web, one must tread fearlessly but also wisely. We can snip the threads that bind him, teach him how, and when he is free he will come to us."

If he had to? He would do it himself. He loved his sister more than words could ever say, and if she loved Nautious, which he knew she did just from the way she had looked at him... Then he would bring him for her. Nothing was impossible, just difficult, all it meant was that he had to work at it for a while... Diligently in the back ground. He would not stand to let her be sad if he could ever stop that from happening. He caught up her hand and slid his ring onto her finger, the rose gold a bright beautiful contrast against her dark skin, the diamonds and the resin protected spider sack with it's hundreds of babies inside of it... It was drow to the core and suited her beautifully. "Forgive the delay in giving it to you my sweet sister, certain pars are difficult to acquire at times." He said with a smile and a gentle kiss to her neck, feeling her draw him in a bit, the kiss to his forehead made him smile quietly and lean in just a little more. Their foreheads touching he gave her an option, an idea in his head and the more they talked the more he knew she loved him, and as she had said... Much more than she thought or was willing to admit. "He has a family... And children... But his children are grown, about to leave the nest, and the family he has hates him..." He divulged gently, his hand coming up to cradle her cheek in his hand, stroking his fingers along her powdered silk soft skin. "My sweet sister... Listen to yourself... You think he will not chose you?" It ws less a question, moreso wanting her to listen to herself for a moment, to hear what she said as she spoke. "This is not the end... We are still in the beginning, do not give up your love, do not hide it away or try to bury it... Heed me a moment my sweet sister..." He said gently, capturing her fingers in his hands, giving them a warm squeeze as their foreheads continued to touch. "You are with his child I am sure of it... I feel it in my bones and if anything will cause him to snap those threads it will be that... He already fights against them to be with you, his heart years for you, loves you... And as soon as it is revealed that you are with his child that will be the end of his hesitation and fear..."

He paused for a moment, not stepping back but rather just catching her chin in his fingers, lifting her head up so he might kiss her cheeks slowly, first one then the other. "Yours is not the only one who loves him, I do too sweet sister, I long for him and all his broken things... Such bravery and strength to continue to stand like an oblisque among the shattered and quaking bedrock of his life... He is a lion, caged by his past, starved of nourishment and sunlight and so weak he can not break the bars himself..." He reminded her gently, wanting her to understand things from a different perspective, to be able to see it from more than where she stood. "I love you... And I love him because of how broken he is. How can I not? I want him with us, and I want him with you as well, so let me ask... Let me dare breech these walls between us as Drow, you my Matron and I your Patreon... Let me ask you as a man... One who wishes to protect you and see you happy... Let me do this for us... Tell me you will put this issue in my hands, allow me to do whatever needs done so that we might find the happiest path for us, where the world is ours and that world includes him." It was the very height of audacity for him to ask for control, especially given his sweet sister was a Matron, but all things considered he needed to do this... He knew she was going to take the higher road, the was noble and strong, even if it cost her her own heart... But he would not allow her to suffer heartbreak again. He had already put her through it once when he had to leave to save his life and hers, not to mention the life of their child... He wanted to make up for those years of sorrow.