Argor sat silently in the comfortable carriage, an orb of magical light creating a calm, even glow of dim light within. He had several documents splayed out and around himself, in various languages. Rutai sat opposite him, cross legged atop a cushion on the bench seat. The imp sat quietly, anxious to interrupt Argor's concentration on whatever it was he was reading. However, he knew how important the marriage to Imrizade was to his master, given the status boost being tied to the Blakros family would give him, so his concern eventually outweighed his judgement.
"So...about what I said earlier, Boss," Rutai said after clearing his throat, "what are the arrangements for the wedding? You know that Imrizade's, well...to put it bluntly, pissed."
"All the arrangements have been made," Argor said bluntly.
"Really," Rutai says dubiously. "You haven't left the manor or the school aside from short little flights here or there, or on Society business, in weeks."
Argor looks up from a scroll at the imp with a stern gaze, "You think I have become incapable of conducting business via proxy, imp? Or that all my work is completed in your presence?" he says as he holds the scroll up, "this here is a missive from Dremdhet Salhar, Grand Ambassador of Osirion to Absalom," he then waves it over the collection of letters at his side, adding "he and several more influential contacts I have made during my tenure in Absalom have confirmed that they have spoken highly of me, my works, and my generosity to those in my service. This has been something I have worked on in small increments ever since the engagement took place."
Rutai looks at his Master, confused. "And just who in the world do you need to suck up to in Absalom to get a venue? Surely if you couldn't pull the weight, Lady Hamaria could?"
The ping of anger at the slight against Argor's social status stung Rutai like a wasp through their empathic link, causing the imp to actually wince. "Short sighted fool. A simple venue in Absalom would not suffice. Not for a spirited woman such as Imrizade. Nor is there anyone in Absalom capable of doing me what I have planned."
"Then, who?" Rutai asks cautiously.
"It is nothing to concern yourself with," Argor says, removing an envelope from the pocket of his tunic bearing the mark of Almas University, "I have my confirmation here. This will be a wedding that the guests will be hard pressed to forget."
Argor smirks to himself as he looks out the window of the carriage at the countryside, the Blakros Ranch approaching in the distance...
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Sabrina nods at Cladissa's suggestion.
"Sir Preston, there is something that I should probably tell you sooner rather than later. As a druid, I can take a number of different forms. For the practical reasons, I'm currently an Air Elemental. My actual form would struggle to fit inside this manor.
"Since you'll probably be around somewhat often, if you see a giant, dual-headed, bipedal snake hydra dragon, that would be me. Hence no need for alarm. This team is known as the Freaks for a reason. Oh, and I have an allosaurus for a familiar. If you see Bentley stalking around the gardens, don't worry about him either. He's a big softie!"
Sabrina gives the paladin a one million gold piece smile and a wink.
::...Is the serum common knowledge?:: Sabrina mentally asks Cladissa.
She is not very sure. If memory serves, Argor had grumbled about how everyone and their mother seemed to know about it. She herself had learned about it from Gianluca who knew about it from Nyug and Auronee who knew...
...I really should speak to her.
As Sir Preston processes what Sabrina told him, the Lady Farwynd regards the air elemental. "So you took the same thing Cladissa took then?" she asks evenly.
"Did you say, 'two heads'?" the paladin asks incredulously.
::I wouldn't say 'common' knowledge, but word has gotten around, as my mother just proved. I'm pretty sure the details are still unknown to most:: Cladissa explains while gauging the reactions at the table.
Sir Preston sets down his utensils and stares at the whirlwind. "I'm familiar with druids remaining in their nature forms for a long time, but, if I may ask, what are you, then?"
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"Yes, I did," Sabrina says, answering both questions at once. "When I was born, I was Half-Elf, but much like how Cladissa went from Human to a cat-like Agathion with wings, I became a Nagaji and now a giant, bipedal Snake Hydra Dragon with two heads. If you recall the Chronicles, Nyug went from a Half-Orc to a... mixture of different critters."
Sabrina smiles widely.
"I could show you if you want, Sir Preston, though I suggest we step into the courtyard or something. I don't think Argor would be very happy if I smashed a hole in his roof two days (Am I remembering that correctly?) before his wedding."
"I must say I'm curious," he says as he stands and pulls out Cladissa's chair for her."About all your changes, actually. How does it happen? The Chronicles don't go into details, and the Lady Farwynd didn't know much else about it."
"It's a long story," Cladissa says as she follows Sabrina to the courtyard. Her mother stands and quietly follows as well.
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Sabrina seems a bit surprised when Sir Preston actually takes her up on her offer. Her smile briefly falters... before returning tenfold. She lets out a soft squeal of delight and rushes ahead of everyone else into the courtyard.
Once there, everyone finds her leaning against the fountain with the same big, silly grin still on her windy face.
"Everyone here? We are? Excellent, most excellent!" Sabrina practically purrs as she rubs her 'hands' together in anticipation. "...Disclaimer. My appearance might be a little... shocking, but I'm still me. No one will be in any danger or anything. As my late father often told me, it's important to judge a person on the content of their character and not on their physical appearance."
Sabrina silently acknowledges that her little "disclaimer" is rather... hilariously heavy handed, but hopefully, instilling the idea into Sir Preston's head now will pay off when...
Sabrina floats back a good distance away from everyone and lets the transformation fade.
Sabrina immediately and literally scales up and nearly triples in size. Her 'skin' fades from compact, visible wind into thick, dark grey plates. Her head splits into two as her necks and faces start to lengthen. Her muscles become much more noticeable. Each arm is thicker than Sir Preston, and Sabrina's own torso is slightly bigger than Gianluca post-Mutation.
She has changed somewhat from when Cladissa last saw her; now over a foot taller and visibly 'bigger' than before, Sabrina looks a little less limber and quite a bit more menacing. Her horns and spines are sharp and more exaggerated. Her teeth and 'claws' are sharper and more pronounced.
Again, her appearance would quite terrifying... if not for the dashing tuxedo she had chosen to dress herself in via her Sleeves.
"Good evening, everyone," she purrs from both heads in a voice a few octaves deeper than that of her previous form.
She tips the little top hat perched on one of her horns.
"You've grown," Cladissa observes with a steady voice. Her mother gasps and gives the druid lots of room.
Preston simply extends his hand for a shake. "Good evening."
The Lady Farwynd finds her way to her daughter's side. "The same formula you took... did that?"
Cladissa nods her head. "Yeah, best we can tell. You know it's different for everybody. But regardless, there's no more left. Sabrina got the last vial."
Both Sir Preston and her mother tear their eyes from Sabrina and look at Cladissa. "Where did it come from?" the paladin asks.
"Numeria. It did not originate in Golarion."
He nods and goes back to gawking at Sabrina.
The Lady Farwynd takes notice of Cladissa and Sir Preston standing in close proximity to each other, and she speaks up. "Miss Henderson? If you would shrink down again (or lower one of your heads to my level), I've a question for you." She then takes several steps back toward the manor, trying to draw her away from the two young adults.
Tessida speaks in a Kyonin style, crisp and refined. "You said you were half-elven? I do not recognize the name Henderson, but I know of one of Atticus's refugees who married an elven oracle. Does your mother fare well? And those packages, are they secure?"
When Sabrina and her mother step away, Cladissa alternates between studying her feet and taking fleeting glances at her suitor. He stands swathed in a patch of lantern light while Cladissa favors a nearby shadow. He stays focused on watching Sabrina and the Lady Farwynd, even though they stepped away and are whispering softly.
"This is a nice garden. I should have waited before starting the Rite. This would have been nice," he says without looking at her.
Cladissa wrings her hands, keeping her head down. "The foyer was nice, too. Don't second-guess yourself. It was bold of you." She dares a glance at him, but he is still not looking at her. "Did you know what I looked like?"
His head turns and he offers her a smile. "Not at first. Your mother described you to me. I like your wings; they suit you."[//b]
Cladissa's head hangs further and she takes a step back deeper into the shadows. She rubs her shoulders against the evening air. [b]"Do you... Did you find the succubus attractive?" she ventures, working herself up to what she must do.
Sir Preston abruptly turns and faces her. "No! I don't!"
She lifts her eyes slowly until they meet his. "But they are, aren't they? Their curves, and skin, and everything else? Aren't they supposed to be... sexy?"
Sir Preston's face shows confusion as he shakes his head in protest. Then suddenly realization dawns. "Oh, I understand. You don't have to worry."
"You understand?" She looks up, surprised that he could be that astute.
Smiling reassuredly, he takes her gloved hands. "Of course. You're comparing yourself with the demon that caused Captain Dwyor to betray his company, aren't you? Don't worry. That experience burned away any attraction to their kind I may have had. I see them for what they are: perversions. Despicable, vile creatures. A mockery of women and a bane to men."
Oh no, oh no, oh no, Cladissa fights panic, as she realized what an error she made. Stupid, stupid stupid! Just tell him already! She looks into his eyes, and seeing his misguided earnestness as he tries to stamp out any possible jealousy she may feel for some creature in his past. "No, no, it's not that, exactly, Sir Preston. It's me, it's about how I look--"
"That doesn't matter!" he interrupts. "You actually look very lovely--"
"Please, let me finish!" Cladissa squeezes his hands, then shakes herself free. She takes several steps back so she's completely shrouded in shadow. "I'm not jealous. I'm not worried about some succubus from the Worldwound! I'm worried how you'll feel if I looked different. What would you say if I looked like Sabrina?"
He pauses, frowning. "I don't know."
"And how would you feel if I looked like a succubus?"
Silence descends on the courtyard as the paladin peers into the shadows, trying to make out the dark silhouette. "Cladissa, what are you saying?"
The only reply is a choked sob from the darkness.
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Both of Sabrina's heads give Sir Preston a toothy grin, and the giant woman kneels down so she can shake his hand. Mindful that she could probably crush his hand, she takes care to be gentle.
"I did. Atticus advised that my father change his name periodically. It was good advice that I've followed from time to time," she explains in Kyoni Elven. She even alters her speaking tone to be more refined. "As for my mother, she was well last I saw her. That said, that was before Dad passed away. It wasn't... completely unexpected, though. He had to restart his entire life in his thirties, and he did live a stressful life."
Sabrina thinks about the packages.
"I think they were secured when the exchanges... stopped. With my father's passing, Mom has most likely stored them somewhere even more safe."
As she and Tessida talk, Sabrina keeps her second head focused on Cladissa.
Having a second head proves useful; Yig's Champion manages to catch the conversation going south.
"...One moment please," Sabrina says to Tessida before she dashes away.
Sabrina ponders what to do next. One of her heads imagines Cladissa having a sword jammed through his skull. The dual-headed druid glups. Twice.
she calls out with both heads.
Not wanting Cladissa to take a smiting to the face, Sabrina quickly imposes herself between the witch and the paladin.
She wonders what to do next. Logically speaking, it would probably be best to explain the entire situation right now. However, part of Sabrina also worries that Cladissa might hate her for deciding to make a major decision on her friend's behalf.
She clearly hates people doing things 'for her own good' and similar reasoning, Sabrina Right thinks. Remember the glares she's given her mom?
That logic only applies when she isn't in danger of taking a sword to the skull, counters Sabrina left.
::...Do you want me to tell him?:: they ask Cladissa tentatively.
"...Do either Cladissa or I Detect as Evil?" she inquires suddenly. "I know some of you holy men have such powers. My friend Gianluca, a servant of Arshea, can. Same goes for our Hrim."
Once upon a time, according to Gianluca, Sabrina had. Nowadays...? She isn't very sure. Ever since their relationship got serious, Gianluca has never mentioned it again, and as shown by how he called out Argor, he is not above speaking his mind on the subject.
...We're not exactly nice, Sabrina Left admits quietly, even for a thought.
Nice people don't casually blame people brutally tortured by demons for making poor decisions.
Nice people don't worship...
Nice people don't...
"You strike me as an honorable and reasonable man, Sir Preston; that's why I ask that you take a moment to scan us and... don't make any hasty decisions until we can give you a proper explanation. As my late father often told me, it's important to judge a person on the content of their character and not on their physical appearance."
As Argor had said, there are ways to fool Detect Evil and its kin. That being said, Sabrina sincerely hopes that Cladissa's reading will bring pause to Sir Preston long enough for a proper explanation.
Sabrina could live with Sir Preston merely leaving the manor in disgust. Fighting him, though?
Even at her worst, it has always pained Sabrina to hurt anyone affiliated with the universal fundamental force known as Good. As ineffective as they could be, countering Evil is something that Sabrina approves. If given cause, she has no qualms with tearing apart Fiends and Argors. Paladins and Cladissas?
Sabrina sees very few circumstances where fighting them would leave her happy.
...If only Cole was here.
Sir Preston takes several steps back away from Sabrina's imposing form. His head bounces back and forth between Cladissa's silhouette and the two-headed druid. His confusion and dread is apparent on his face. "I sense no evil in either of you," he says after a moment.
Cladissa speaks from the darkness. "The demons we fought... took their revenge. They did something to me, with the serum."
She says a word, gestures, and then four globes of soft light appear over her head, illuminating her succubus' body. Her beautiful face is wrought with anguish.
The paladin recoils. His sword arm twitches, but he does not go reach for it. He takes several deep breaths, while his face contorts in shock and horror.
Seeing his reaction, Cladissa hangs her head. "I'm sorry."
Sir Preston staggers under his conflicting emotions. There's a long time where no words are spoken as he takes tentative steps toward her, then falters. Finally, he too hangs his head, crestfallen. "I've known... those tainted by the Abyss. Tieflings. Some good, many bad. The good had to overcome a lot. I've respected them. But I've pitied them, too." His voice grows hoarse. "And I've mistrusted them.
"Iomedae, is this my penance?" he asks, lifting his head up to the sky. In the deafening silence that answers, he nods his head. "I need to pray on this."
Sir Preston slowly turns and walks out of the courtyard. Cladissa stands for a while until her lights wink out, and she remains in the darkness.
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Sabrina contemplates saying more but ultimately decides to let Sir Preston depart in peace. Her respect for the paladin has increased tenfold for his immense restraint, and to be honest, she can certainly live with this outcome. However, the question is: could Cladissa?
She briefly wonders how things might have played out if she had not thrown her full weight behind Cladissa. With maybe the exception of Atticus when he lived, it really seems like the poor woman has no one but herself. Sans possibly Hrim and Nyug to an extent, fellow Pathfinder for her is practically nonexistent these days. Auronee has ruthlessly bullied her to the point where 'slow nervous breakdown' seems to be Cladissa's default reaction to her stepsister's mere presence. Her mother... has been neglectful to say the least. Even Cole has proven to be mysteriously absent when Cladissa could have stood the benefit from his help.
I'm going to have words with that cat, both Sabrinas vow mentally. It's telling when an imp is more helpful than him.
The dual-headed druid kneels down so that she and Cladissa are at a more even height.
She also shifts her ridiculous tuxedo into proper druidic vestments.
"I wish I knew what to say," Sabrina Right admits quietly.
Her sister head tentatively adds, "...Just know that we're in your corner, Cladissa."
She would normally offer a hug, but she also recalls that Cladissa has a slightly thing against being abruptly touched.
Cladissa tugs the brooch off her shoulder and holds it in her hands. Her fingers trace along the design worked into the precious metal as Sabrina speaks to her. She sniffs and shakes her head. "There's nothing that can be said," she replies softly.
The Lady Farwynd steps aside as Sir Preston moves past. When he leaves the courtyard, she lingers for a time. She looks over to where her daughter wavers in the shadows and clears her throat. "Can I do anything for you?" she asks.
Cladissa doesn't look up at her. "No, mother. You've done quite enough, thank you."
Her mother opens her mouth to respond, but ultimately remains silent. She finally turns on her heel and glides out of the courtyard.
When it's just the two of them, Cladissa begins to sob quietly. "It's better this way. I wouldn't be able to keep it up. It would have been worse, always lying to him. Always being afraid he'll find out. It would have been worse. I just wish I could have gone to the wedding with him. That's pretty selfish of me, isn't it?" The brooch falls to the ground and she puts her face in her hands to muffle her sobs.
After a time, a tiny shadow materializes and mews softly. Cladissa sniffs, wipes her eyes, and smiles. Cole jumps in her arms, purring. "New magic, huh?" she says, nuzzling her familiar. "My night was pretty awful. How about in the morning, okay?" He springs from her arms, meowing.
She looks at Sabrina with a sad smile. "Thank you. I'm sorry about what I said before." She can't bring herself to say any more, so she stumbles to her room.
Argor sat silently in the comfortable carriage, an orb of magical light creating a calm, even glow of dim light within. He had several documents splayed out and around himself, in various languages. Rutai sat opposite him, cross legged atop a cushion on the bench seat. The imp sat quietly, anxious to interrupt Argor's concentration on whatever it was he was reading. However, he knew how important the marriage to Imrizade was to his master, given the status boost being tied to the Blakros family would give him, so his concern eventually outweighed his judgement.
"So...about what I said earlier, Boss," Rutai said after clearing his throat, "what are the arrangements for the wedding? You know that Imrizade's, well...to put it bluntly, pissed."
"All the arrangements have been made," Argor said bluntly.
"Really," Rutai says dubiously. "You haven't left the manor or the school aside from short little flights here or there, or on Society business, in weeks."
Argor looks up from a scroll at the imp with a stern gaze, "You think I have become incapable of conducting business via proxy, imp? Or that all my work is completed in your presence?" he says as he holds the scroll up, "this here is a missive from Dremdhet Salhar, Grand Ambassador of Osirion to Absalom," he then waves it over the collection of letters at his side, adding "he and several more influential contacts I have made during my tenure in Absalom have confirmed that they have spoken highly of me, my works, and my generosity to those in my service. This has been something I have worked on in small increments ever since the engagement took place."
Rutai looks at his Master, confused. "And just who in the world do you need to suck up to in Absalom to get a venue? Surely if you couldn't pull the weight, Lady Hamaria could?"
The ping of anger at the slight against Argor's social...
The Blakros property is a simple ranch house on a hilly rural estate. As Argor and Rutai approach, they pass verdant pastures where several horses of the highest quality graze and frolic. There is a wrinkled old dwarf sitting on the porch of the house, his wide-brimmed hat resting on his knee. As the carriage approaches, he stands up and dons the hat, walking bow-legged to the edge of the shade provided by the awning. "Hail, and good day! Who comes tae call?" he cries, squinting at the carriage.
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"...As long as no one gets hurt, I think it's okay to live for yourself on occasion," Sabrina offers gently, echoing something Gianluca had once told her a while ago. Again, she finds herself wanting to offer Cladissa a hug.
Yig's Champion keeps her mouths shut when Cole finally shows up. When emotions have calmed, they can talk. She recognizes that she might be projecting... something onto the Agathion. That sometimes happens when she is frustrated.
"It's alright, Cladissa. We were never angry with you," Sabrina replies as sincerely as she can, hoping that Cladissa will have one less thing to feel guilty about. She also bids her friend goodnight.
Once Cladissa has left, Sabrina carefully picks up the brooch and examines it.
...We'll return this to Iomedae's temple tomorrow or something, she decides, figuring that Sir Preston would at least appreciate his family heirloom back. She places it in her backpack next to Statue Bentley.
Sabrina Left realizes that Cole is still present in the courtyard.
"We take it you were busy?" Sabrina asks Cole in Aklo, knowing full well that the Agathion can understand her. She sounds a little more... bitter than she intended.
Argor waits for the footman to open the door and steps out. "My name is Argor. I am here to see Imrizade, my fiancé," he says as he begins walking towards the house.
Cole regards Sabrina with his intense yellow eyes. He mrows softly, then disappears into a mist. He rematerializes on one a branch at Sabrina's eye-level, cleaning one of his paws nonchalantly.
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Both Sabrinas sigh, hoping that Cole will at least humor her.
"Cladissa really could've used your help, you know?" Sabrina Left continues in her Lord's native tongue. "She told me that she was trying to call you, and that dinner went on for some time. Even showing up five minutes ago could've made a big difference."
Cole pauses in his grooming and languidly stretches out on the branch. "I came as fast as I could," he says matter-of-factly in a surprisingly rich and resonant voice. "In what way would I have made a difference, do you think?"
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Sabrina takes a moment to think this point through.
"Introducing you as Cladissa's familiar, a Silvanshee Agathion, a holy creature of pure goodie goodness, before she showed her true appearance might've... helped things end more neatly. I mean, I suppose he could've assumed that you were Charmed or something, but the Chronicles have mentioned your existence for months, and Sir Preston was also rational enough not to start smiting anyone when she revealed herself," says Sabrina in Aklo. "It would've been more evidence to support our case, probably the lynchpin instead of some dual-headed fool vouching for her."
Sabrina glances away and sighs before speaking once more in the tongue of the Father of Serpents.
"...If nothing else, you would've been far better moral support for her than me. Cladissa seems to perform considerably better in social situations when she knows someone in the room is firmly on her side."
In Sabrina's minds, her second point is probably the stronger of the two; the first one is... honestly hard to argue considering things probably ended as best they could. That said, she feels that Cole should at least hear it.
Cole is nonplussed at the criticism. "She knows I'm on her side. I feel her suffering, and share in it."
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Sabrina looks at Cole incredulously.
"You don't seem particularly proactive about it! I know he probably plans to stab him in the back some day, but at least right now, Rutai does a better job of showing Argor support in public than you do with Cladissa," she counters in Aklo. "As much as I wished otherwise, appearance and presentation matter, Cole."
Sabrina Right realizes that she is projecting... something onto Cole and bonks her sister head. Sabrina Left looks briefly annoyed before coming to the same conclusion.
"...I'm sorry. I shouldn't be blaming you like this, Cole," she admits quietly. "I'm just... so confused right now. It seems like the whole world is out to hurt Cladissa. Galt kills a wonderful man like Atticus. Her mother neglects her. That succubus targeted just her. Auronee and Argor bully her to the point of nervous breakdowns. And that's just what I've learned in like three weeks!"
Sabrina sighs and massages her temples.
"...And I don't know if I'm making things worse or better for her."
Cole's eyes narrow into slits. "Druid, you should know that the most precious gemstones are created under the greatest pressure. Cladissa's soul is being refined into something beyond precious. She is stronger than you think."
He stands up, stretches, and then begins fading into mist. When all but his eyes and mouth are left, he says, "I think you're helping. But what do I know? I'm just a cat."
The silvanshee disappears entirely, leaving Sabrina alone in the courtyard.
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"...We know, Cole, but not all 'pressure' builds character. Sometimes, when struck in just the right way, even the strongest diamond can shatter," Sabrina counters wearily as she watches the Agathion fade away.
And that's what I worry is going to happen, she leaves unsaid.
She lingers a bit in the gardens for a little longer before sighing heavily and returning to her smaller Whirlwind form. Sabrina supposes she could just Air Walk straight to her nest in the gardens, but part of her wants to see if Tessida is still around. If nothing else, meeting Atticus' wife is a welcomed surprise in an otherwise tiring night. Even if had likely been a distraction, she had seemed intent on talking to her about something before the whole discussing with Sir Preston went south.
Sabrina finds her friend's mother drinking in the parlor.
"...Lady Farwynd?" she asks tentatively, not sure what else she can really say.
"Oh, aye, the mistress. Well, sir, she's out for a ride at the moment. My name's Angus, I look after this place most of the time. If you come inside you're free tae make yourself comfortable until she returns. I can put some tea or coffee on tae boil." The dwarf
Argor nods and follows the dwarf inside, Rutai accompanying from atop Argor's shoulder.
"Mistress Blakros didn't say that I should be expecting guests," Angus comments as they enter the ranch house. It's a rustic affair compared to the splendor Argor has become accustom to in the city. The floorplan is open, and there appears to be only a small bedroom off of the main living space. "Well, which do you prefer sir, coffee or tea?"
"Tea, at this hour. And yes, this is an unexpected visit on my part. When will the Lady return?" Argor says as he and Rutai take in the room.
The viscountess is sitting in one of the high-backed chairs, swirling a snifter slowly and taking small, measured sips. She sets the glass aside when the whirlwind appears. "Hello, Miss Sabrina. I should thank you for being ready to come to Cladissa's defense, if Sir Preston's response had been different."
Her head leans back against the chair and she closes her eyes for a moment, face lined with concentration.
Cladissa shrugs off her dress and pulls a night camisole up, needing to step into it to account for her wings. Exhausted, she desires nothing more than the sweet oblivion of sleep but sits on her bed and glares at herself in the mirror.
A huge dose of self-recrimination surges through her. What was I thinking? I should have rebuked him the instant he shoved that brooch in my face. I knew it wouldn't work out -- that I'd screw it up somehow. Or that he'd be someone like Roald, who just wanted--
Cladissa gasps silently and a shudder runs down her spine. What did I do? I wanted him to accept this!
"That's right, sweetness!" her reflection whispers, leering seductively at her from her side of the glass. "You hoped he had a bad streak, that he secretly desired the forbidden fruit that you could have given him. I'll bet even now he's dreaming of you. Imagine, a paladin falling because of you! And all it took was a glimpse!"
Cladissa shuts her eyes and clamps her hands over her ears. She dives under her covers on her bed and doesn't move until sleep takes her.
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Sabrina finds herself a bit surprised.
"I do everything in my power to support all my friends. However, in all fairness to Sir Preston, his self-control is truly admirable," Sabrina says sincerely. She notices that Tessida seems to be taking the whole thing rather hard and adds, "And in all fairness to you, Lady Farwynd, you didn't know about Cladissa's change in appearance."
Even if Tessida has been neglectful, Sabrina finds herself somewhat forgiving for this one particular instance. From what the druid sees, while Lady Farwynd probably should have let Cladissa's love life alone all together, everything else had just been a tragic comedy of errors. The odds of all these variables playing out the way they did must be rather low.
The Lady Farwynd opens her eyes and turns them toward Sabrina. "No, I did not," she confirms.
She lifts her glass again and waves it at the seat across from her, inviting the druid to sit. Or hover just above the chair, as befitting an air elemental. Then she collects another glass and pours her a measure.
"It's not proper to drink alone. Join me, while I wait for my coach to arrive?"
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Smiling gently, Sabrina nods and hovers over to the chair.
"I have no idea how I can consume sustenance in this form, but I can," Sabrina says lightly before she takes a tiny sip.
Yig's Champion decides to start things on a softer note.
"I just want to say that I'm still very happy and honored to have met you. If Atticus hadn't saved my father all those years ago, we wouldn't be having this conversation."
She offers a toast to Atticus Velorryan.
She raises her glass as well, a smile growing on her features. "It's wonderful to see the effects of his actions continue to spread. He was a good man." Her eyes grow misty. "A very good man," she whispers as she touches her drink to her lips.
"And I appreciate that you have chosen to befriend Cladissa."
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Sabrina nods thoughtfully.
"When I joined the team, she was the one I clicked with the quickest; I was already good friends with Gianluca. After learning about her struggles, I thought she could use a friend, and I'm glad that she's given me the chance."
Sabrina stares at her drink for a moment.
"It didn't seem like she had anyone on the team to support her. In hindsight, it seems that Hrimnagel and her actually were quite friendly, but he has since left us. I think she and Nyugelle were close at one time, but poor Nyug has been a bit... distant toward everyone since her... reincarnation. I mean, I feel like they're still friends, but it's just not quite the same, you know? She's still getting used to Gianluca. And Argor...!"
Sabrina grits her nonexistent teeth but takes a deep breath and calms herself.
Tessida leans forward. "What about Argor?"
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Sabrina takes a moment to think over what she can say. The last thing she wants is for some servant to overhear her badmouthing their boss and then for Argor to decide that another dinner is in order.
She leans over and speaks into Tessida's ear.
"I don't know how much you already know, but their... relationship is in something of a ditch right now. I have ideas why, but there seems to be more to that puzzle than what I've already discovered," she whispers quietly in Kyoni Elven. "I'm not sure how much else I can here."
She places her drink down as she rubs her temple. "He is a complicated man. I had idly thought that, given his ascendancy, that Cladissa and he may be paired together. But I must say, I'm quite relieved that that will not be the case. I don't know how he would react were the truth to become known."
"Auronee is her father's delight, and the delight of all of Taldor," she responds. "I had long hoped something of the girl would have rubbed off on Cladissa, but their rivalry was vicious. Castor and I forbade their fighting and commanded them to get along. I believe it just went underground, so to speak, and Auronee was far better at hiding her tracks. They shared so much of the same interests, it was fated they become best of friends or bitter rivals. It was the latter, I'm afraid."
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Sabrina utters a light sigh and nods knowingly. Her reaction probably says a lot, but she does not mind.
"I get the impression that your carriage will be here shortly, so there's one more thing I would like to say," Sabrina remarks. "I think that it would be worthwhile to continue your efforts with Cladissa. I do that know that it has been rocky between you two, but I admittedly don't know the entire story of what happened, and I can tell that you love your daughter and want the best for her.
"Dad and I... had something of a falling out when I was fifteen. While he wasn't entirely blameless, I was the one mostly in the wrong. For one reason or another, we never mended our relationship. I always meant to try, but I just keep delaying... and that chance probably died with him."
Sabrina takes a deep breath.
"Even if tonight didn't end ideally, you still took that important first step. It took me several attempts to reach her; I think I initially came about a little too strong, and I think Cladissa has been burned so much that she's hesitant to deal with people these days. You know, she's looking for some kind of a catch.
"Hence, we'll probably have bumps in the road going forward. However, consistent kindness, honesty, and reminders that you care seem to go a long way with her. I might sound like a demented parrot when I repeat the same things to her, but I think it does Cladissa good to hear that she is truly a wonderful, fun, lovely, intelligent person."
As breakfast is served in Argor’s oppulent manor house, Nyugelle walks in, holding hands with Gianluca. The Honeyed Hand of Arshea appears as though he’s grown...or almost more like he’s stretched: While his chest and limbs are slightly broader, they’ve nearly doubled in length.
Gianluca ducks nimbly through the arched entrance, and something about the ease with which he does so suggests he could’ve ducked just as easily into a halfling’s home.
Nyugelle smiles a bit nervously at her old comrades. ”Hi.”
Gianluca smiles more broadly, ”Ssssabby, Cladissa, it’s good to see you again!” As he walks in offers up several small wrapped boxes (extending an arm that now seems capable of reaching nearly fifteen feet). ”Candies from Jalmeray?
“I really needed to refresh after battling those demons. Nyugelle was kind enough to join me for my evening of sacred indulgence in the pleasures of food, drink, and flesh. Hrim came along for a bit too, but bowed out after a bit. Is he here too?” Gianluca looks left and right, then goes on. ”Between the threats, my brush with death, and the way those demons managed to claw into my mind there...ooooh, I needed a big release. When the sun was coming up on our revel I’d barely scrubbed off the first layer, so Nyuggy suggested we get away. I’d been telling her about the beaches of Jalmeray and...I’m happy to say that it’s a lovely place to practice sacred abandon in all it’s most holy forms." He smiles, teeth like ivory inside his broad honey-lips.
“My mother assures me that she and the whole temple of Arshea are on high alert since my warning...but it’s the Spirit of Abandon’s largest temple in all of Golarion. We all know that’s not a guarantee of safety, but so far everything there’s been quiet, thank the Gods of all that's Good.
“And what about all of you? I hope you’re refreshed as well! What have we missed.”
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Sabrina notes her friend coming back. She pouts when he reveals all the fun he had without her. Well, two can play that game! A surprise is in order!
She zips off to a relatively empty part of the room.
"Three, two, one," Sabrina says seemingly at random.
Her Wild Shape charge times out on cue, and her whirlwind form immediately breaks. Sabrina immediately swells to her new size and appearance. Thanks to her careful positioning, she avoids break anything.
Yig's Champion plucks the candies from Gianluca's giant hands and starts feeding them to one of her dual heads. As she does, the other speaks, "We'll take these as an apology for not inviting us!"
She puts down the remaining half of the candies on the table for Cladissa.
The Lady Farwynd nods in thanks. "I will consider your words and your perspective. Thank you."
She bids the druid a good night, rises, and leaves Verde Heights for the evening.
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Cladissa rises late and goes through her morning routine by rote. She absently picks at her breakfast, not engaging in conversation.
She brightens a bit when Gianluca and Nyugelle arrive. She watches quietly when Sabrina shows off her own new form and the antics between the old friends.
After things quiet down a bit, she says softly, "My mother's back in town, Nyug."
"Ho ho ho ho ho!! This is a form I've never seen you take before. New crazy Naga magic? The formula's continued effect? At any rate it suits you!
"But not inviting you? You wound me, Sssabby! I invited each of you for a period of sacred indulgences. Arshea knows we all needed it. I think I said I'd be going at least til sunrise...but turned out I needed rather more." He smiles again with evident pleasure.
"You seemed like you needed something else. No judgement for that...and no need to worry. I'll happily head back to Jalmeray anytime you want."
Nyugelle's eyes go wide at Sabrina's revelation.
"That's not magic, that's the formula, I'm sure of it! Isn't that right?"
She turns at Cladissa's comment and walks over to squeeze Cladissa's hand. "Oh. I know the last time didn't end well. Are things...OK?"
At Nyugelle's question, Cladissa looks on the verge of tears. "No."
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"We think it was the formula. It apparently decided to give us the mother of all Second Mutations," explains Sabrina Left with a very toothy grin.
When Gianluca mentions her needing something else, she becomes less animated and more somber; Cladissa's reaction only increases the mood.
"It could've gone better," Sabrina Right says neutrally to the others as she kneels down next to Cladissa.
"...Want a hug?" they both ask.
Nyugelle's mouth makes a silent 'O' and then frowns, concern evident.
"I've...um...I've been really wrapped up in my research since I...since I was reincarnated." She pats her body, still clearly feeling somewhat out of place in it (in a way that was never evident after bouts of Nyug's old mutations). "Oh f~%#, I've always been a bit stiff and removed, haven't I? People aren't so easy for me, and my mind usually drifts back to formulae before too long." She winces a bit as she admits the truth.
"I'm still no good with people. Except maybe Gianluca--or maybe he's just so good with me that it doesn't matter." a mischievous smile flashes across her face.
"But look. I'm...if I can be your friend right now somehow...let me know. I hate how rough you've had it, from all angles."
Cladissa looks up at the two-headed woman. "I-- I guess so," she responds to the offer of a hug.
Sabrina's powerful arm around her didn't feel near as comforting as she'd hoped. She squirms a little and then extricates herself. However, the embrace managed to distract her from the near-meltdown she almost had.
She scoots her chair a little closer to Nyugelle. You're a good friend, Nyug. Even now. I don't blame you from needing to adjust. Or begrudge you your passions.
"Mom was good, actually. It was... something else, though." She takes a breath to continue, but can't. "It's bad. I just can't even..." she puts her face in her hands.
"Something else? What? More demons? Argor? What is it now?" Nyugelle asks, starting to look a bit tense.
Gianluca sees the stress plainly in both Cladissa and in Sabrina's twin heads. ”Nyug, I don’t think it’s like that. She has a weight on her shoulders. Let her unburden herself at her own pace.”
Glancing at Sabrina, he adds, ”You both are carrying too much on your shoulders. I am a champion of freedom, but I wonder if perhaps I should’ve encouraged you both to come along on our revel a bit more emphatically. Cladissa, you badly need to allow in ecstatic abandon, with one or more who care for you. And Sssabby, there’s something weighing you down too.
“What can we do to help?”`
Cladissa stares at Gianluca, mortified. "I'm not going to revel in this body! With anyone! Last night I just tempted a paladin! What if he falls? He's a good man and if he falls because of me--"
She hugs herself tightly and by reflex the image of her old catlike form envelops her.