"Quite, this just proves the point of the whole evening. The demons are already here, if we don't act now we are all doomed," Maldris replies. "I see that you left one Alu Demon for questioning. Wise move, the Society will gladly interrogate her before sending her back to the Abyss where she belongs."
Cladissa had clambered down from the tree and watched with wobbly legs Nyug dispatch the demon. When it gave its parting words, she jumped with a strangled "Eek!" and took several steps back.
When it seemed like it wasn't going to come back to life, she waves her hands and the tentacles fade from existence.
"That was... that was close. Excuse me," she says to the other Pathfinders and separates herself for a moment. She wanders to a secluded part of the garden and takes several deep breaths, fighting a near overwhelming urge to burst into tears.
Cole slinks up to her while she fights to compose herself. She looks at him in shock at the bit of healing he offers. "That's new! Thanks. Any more? Oh."
As the adrenaline begins to subside, Rutai appears at Argor's side, joining him in surveying the scene. Argor's gaze eventually falls to Cladissa, the woman having withdrawn to a secluded portion of the gardens.
"Rutai," Argor says bluntly, "See to it that the others do not interrupt myself and Cladissa for a few minutes, unless it is either someone or a matter of importance. There are things I need to discuss with her. Keep them distracted on clean up efforts if you can."
"Sure thing, boss," the imp says before flying off. "Major Maldris! Perhaps I could be of some assistance in suggesting means to interrogate..."
Argor then floats over to Cladissa, before halting a short distance from her and asking, "Ms. Velorryan, might I have a word?"
Cladissa turns and looks at Argor wide-eyed for a moment, then exchanges a glance with Cole. He mrows a bit, then drops from her shoulder and dashes under a hedge.
She nods and turns to fully face him. "Yes, Mr. Constantine. What do you need?" Still somewhat rattled, she appears to be calming down.
"Please, it's just Argor now," he replies before hovering closer. "I had an inquiry regarding your more recent...developments, with our shared condition, if you wouldn't mind. That is, of course, if you have managed to settle your nerves from this rather heinous encounter. You had a very close call with that succubus, after all, and had she managed to capture you, who knows what she'd have done to you."
Her wings reflexively beat several times before settling down, and she makes a show of smoothing her dress -- now dirtied and rent in several places. A few twigs and a leaf are still stuck in her hair.
She shakes her head to clear it. "Yes, nothing good, I'm sure," she agrees, folding her arms and putting a trembling hand to her temple. "What sort of inquiry?"
"You seem to have attained a much more enlightened state, a more confident bearing usually associated with one who has come to terms with themselves. I take it, then, that you are either finally beginning to gain control over the serum, as I have, or perhaps even already mastered it as well? I was curious as to your thoughts on the matter."
Cladissa tilts her head as she studies Argor's face intently. She hugs her arms close to her as he hovers over her. "The serum? Why? I thought you'd mastered it a long time ago."
"Indeed I have," Argor says with an arched eyebrow. "But it is not my mastery I am wanting to understand, but your own."
He turns and floats backwards past Cladissa, so that the hosts and their guests are in front of him in the distance. "Also, I was curious as to who this Roald gentleman is. I am surprised to have not met him, as of yet."
She blinks several times at the line of questioning. "Surprised? You moved out of the manor several months ago."
Cladissa glances about and sees an ornate stone bench in the garden and makes a move toward it. "Join me? Killing that demon didn't restore the life she leached from me. But I think I'll recover. Much faster, likely, than Hrimnagel's damage from the wraiths earlier." She takes a seat on one end and lays her hands in her lap. Her tail twitches back and forth.
She tucks a lock of hair behind her ear, finds a twig, then flicks it on the ground. "Roald approached me one day while I was out shopping. Thus far, he has been quite the gentleman."
She seems quite determined to avoid discussing the serum's affects on her. How interesting...
Allowing her to think the matter dropped, he nods and moves to join her at the bench. "Indeed I did, when it was transparent that my presence there was no longer welcome or desired, but that is a moot point."
Argor looks at Hrimnagel in the distance, nodding at Cladissa's assessment of his injuries. "Yes, we all suffered a good deal tending to the days responsibilities. I would suggest we all make a visit to some temples when we depart here, to see about having our conditions rectified."
As the conversation turns back to Roald, Argor scans the gathering crowd for her beau. In so doing, he spots Imrizade in the distance with her family, investigating the scene with excitement in her eyes. You would not have been so excited, my dear, had you been involved in the encounter itself...
"And you the perfect lady, I am sure," he says with a smirk on his face.
"Cladissa, I know we have had our differences, but I want you to know that I am truly glad that you have found yourself in all this...well, this. As I am equally pleased that you have found someone who makes you happy."
Cladissa's eyes narrow as she regards Argor, the corners of her mouth turning down slightly. "I'm entirely unsure how to take that statement."
She looks down at her hands in her lap, then up at the mingling crowd on the other side of the garden. She crosses her legs as she laces her fingers together, realizing that they're not trembling anymore.
She finds herself smiling, so she turns her head to look at Argor. "You know, you are the most aggravating bundle of contradictions in my life right now. And far more distressing than some demoness from the Abyss. Thank you for settling my nerves."
Argor arches an eyebrow at Cladissa's assessment. "Really, now? Do explain."
She looks at him for a long time as her smile fades. Shrugging, she tosses her head. "Okay, maybe you hadn't come here with the intention of distracting me from a panic attack. Just let me indulge in the fantasy that you still harbor some concern for my well-being."
Argor looks at her confusedly, "I present you with a series of inquiries, all directly related to your well-being in one fashion or another, and you manage to turn it around into, again, myself being a villain of some sort. I see you've taken lessons in verbal repartee from Jannicke."
She grabs a mass of her hair and pulls it to the side of her head as she looks at him askance.
"Why would you say that? Do you want to be the villain? I just told you, I was about to break down. That demon had me quite shaken up. But look now," she says, holding up a steady hand. "Thanks for that."
She points a finger at him. "You're not as bad as you think you are. Arctryryx would agree with me. Jannicke agrees with me. You ought to call back your raven and forget that devil."
"No, I do not see myself as a villain. In fact, I feel I have made plenty of overtures to prove the opposite to be the case. But, if my line of questioning soothed your shaken spirit, you are welcome," Argor replies.
Women.
He grits his teeth as Cladissa mentions Jannicke's allegiance, but manages to show no further outward signs of frustration. "yes, I am certain she would agree with you, though I doubt in-so-much on this particular topic of conversation. And no, I will not be rescinding my decision to have Rutai as my familiar. He has already proven himself far more capable and reliable than Arctyryx ever managed. If it had not been for his skill with wands, Mr. Newblossom could very well be nothing but a memory right now. Speaking of which, I feel that Rutai should be the custodian of the other healing wand as well. It would give us another reliable source of healing while freeing ourselves up to focus on eliminating the threats at hand."
He looks out over the chaos of the battle that just took place. "Also, I think I will write a request to the Decemverate to have ourselves a new member called up from the ranks of the Society. Administration of the serum would not even be a necessity, as long as the subject is skilled in combat. We are desperately lacking in brute force, and it is causing Nyugusk to bear the brunt of every assault alone, now that Thrassk has departed our company."
Cladissa's ears flatten as she regards him with her slitted pupils. "Very well, keep the sycophantic imp, if you must. I'll refrain from saying more on the subject, since you'll simply take it as another jab at your virtue. But I wish to have no dealings with the fiend. I hope you will accept my feelings on the matter and respect them."
She folds her arms again, straightening her posture. She looks over toward Roald and gives him a smile and wave as she meets his eyes. When Argor mentions adding another combatant to the group, she nods her head without looking in his direction. "I agree, and I'm sure Nyugusk would appreciate being the sole target -- having been one myself, I'd like to avoid it in the future."
Giving him a smile that appreciates the irony of his suggestion, she asks, "Yet you've shows such disdain for the 'brutes' as you've liked to call them. Are you changing your opinion, dear Argor?"
Argor chuckles. "Everything has its necessary place in the order of things, Cladissa. Much like a farmer tilling a field, the task is much easier completed with a team of oxen working the plow."
"If Nyugusk were to have reliable assistance on the front line, then it would require less expenditure of our more valuable arcane talents to dispatch threats to our well being, therein allowing us to keep those reserves at our disposal for the more dangerous threats," he nods in direction of the succubus to emphasize his point.
She shakes her head in disappointment. Standing smoothly, she turns slightly around to face Argor while her wings stretch out and flap a couple times.
"If someone new joins us, he -- or she -- will not be simply an ox. Your analogizing warriors to a team of livestock is part of the problem that left you feeling the need to leave the manor. People have a value to them, far beyond simply what they can do for you."
She begins to head back to the remnants of the party, but she pauses and looks over her shoulder. "By the way, Argor. I am sorry I clawed you. You seem to have realized I was not in my proper mind at the time. So hopefully you'll understand this perfectly when I say to you, hurt Imrizade the way you hurt Jannicke, and my claws will not be aimed at your face but somewhere much lower." She gives Argor a bright smile and sashays back to the party.
Argor watches Cladissa walk away without further comment.
Well, it would seem she is not entirely as composed as she is trying to lead us to believe. She is still easily set off. Now, the question that prevails: for what reason is she putting on this little performance, her benefit, or as some sort of ruse for the rest of us?
As Cladissa returns to the group, Rutai flies over and offers her a polite bow while remaining aloft on his wings. "A very impressive performance, Ms. Velorryan. I must say, I have not had the pleasure of working with an arcanist of your particular skillset before, but it is quite an interesting methodology you employ."
Major Colson Maldris shows the alu demon and the corpses to the remaining dinner guests, and Lady Gloriana Morilla quickly capitalizes on the debacle as proof that the Worldwound’s reach is too great to be ignored. All the remaining important guests leave the dinner feeling that the Fifth Crusade is well worth their support.
The Society is pleased with the Freaks' results, as it has secured them all the support they need for their venture in the north. Each agent receives a significant reward for their efforts. As usual they are released from duty and told they will be summoned once they are needed again. Argor receives word that his request for a new agent to join their team is being processed, and a suitable candidate is being sought out.
After things settle down after the dinner at Fiddlemourn Manor, Argor retires to Verde Heights for the remainder of the evening, to collect his thoughts. To this point, he had been satisfied with moving his pawns across the chess board that was the social power game of Absalom. He felt his pieces were finally coming into position. He had quickly made a name for himself in the high end economic scene thanks to his business acquisitions, as well as having secured himself a portion of the dock fronts. He had ingratiated himself with one of the more influential families in the Inner Sea region, and even managed to begin to gain the affections of one of their daughters.
He had also managed to work his way into a position of power within one of the most respected institutions in the city. One whose two most powerful members held the highest seats of power in the city, the First and Second Spell Lords, though Gyr was more renowned as the cities ruler…a moot point in the grand scheme of things. Not to mention the vast array of other influential members of the upper social echelons within the city he had managed to impress.
As Argor sat in his chair, staring into the flames of the fire in his hearth, Rutai busied himself looking over the ledgers of the businesses Argor owned, as well as sort through the various missives he had received throughout the past couple of days. Sensing the excitement building within his new master, Rutai arches an eyebrow and looks at Argor, a mischievous smile on his face. ”Something on your mind, boss?”
Argor’s eyes never wavered from the flames, his fingers tented in front of his face as he thought. ”I think it is finally time to begin moving the other pieces into place, Rutai.”
The imp tilted his head confusedly, ”I beg your pardon?”
”Ever since I arrived in Absalom, I have been playing an intricate game. Joining the Pathfinder’s was but the first pawn to be moved on the board. Since then, I’ve been getting the rest of the board arranged to my benefit. The pawns are all set, and it is now time to begin moving the major pieces into place…” Argor answers flatly.
Rutai smiles a toothy smile as he flies over to sit on the edge of the end table beside Argor, ”I think I’m getting the picture here. So…what is the next move, boss?”
Argor smiles as well, ”Next, we speak with Utgar.”
Argor spends the next couple of days pulling the strings he has woven throughout Absalom, and manages to arrange a private meeting with Utgar of Gyr, the Third Spell Lord. He waits patiently in the massive halls of Azlanti Keep for his appointed meeting, casually floating about looking at the various decorations and oddities. Eventually, a young woman in a finely spun dress approaches him and says, ”Maven Argor, the Third Spell Lord will see you now.”
Argor nods in response and follows along behind her, Rutai at his side. As he enters the office, he bows to the attendant politely, adding ”Thank you, madam,” before turning to face the Third Spell Lord and offering them a polite bow in return.
”Thank you, sire, for taking the time to meet with me, it is truly an honor,” Argor says graciously as the attendant departs and closes the door behind her. ”But, I have a concern of great importance to speak with you about. In my time performing missions for the Society, I have noted a very disturbing trend…” he begins as he removes a collection of his Chronicles he has written to date detailing their various missions, offering them up to the Spell Lord. ”As you will see, we have uncovered, confronted, and eventually dealt with a rather disproportionately large number of undead during our tenure as Pathfinders, all of which, I might add, have been secretly residing within our very city. It is my fear, and hypothesis, that there may, in fact, be a necromancer at work here, perhaps even a cabal of them, with a grand scheme that has, as of yet, not come into focus. We have also dealt with demonic incursions repeatedly, and it is possible that these two unique threats are in fact linked. My team and I have been able to thwart them to date, but I believe that I could be able to do more for the city if I were to be able to continue our investigations from an official capacity.”
Utgar does not respond, but takes the time to read through the documents presented before him, his face an emotionless mask that he has cultivated over his years of service in his position. After taking several minutes to read over the Chronicles in their entirety, he removes his glasses and looks up at the young mage before him. ”And what, pray tell, do you think you have to offer the Varlokkur that we do not already possess? We have several members who hold positions within both the Arcanamirium and the Society already, so their resources are openly available to us. We also have several conjurers of note among our ranks. Yes, Maven Argor. I know exactly who you are, and of what you are capable. Tell me why you would be of use to the Order?”
Argor narrows his eyes at the older mage. ”If you know who I am, and of what I am capable, then you also are already aware that I have a very…unique…understanding of the inner workings of the planes, their interconnections, and how they are and can be manipulated by practitioners of the arcane with enough insight to do so. I have encountered only a handful of conjurers capable of working with summons as efficiently as I. I mention this not to be boastful, but simply a fact. I feel that it is this understanding and mastery of the planes that I could offer the Varlokkur. If the undead threat is in fact linked to the demonic incursions, then this understanding could prove vital in their investigations.”
Utgar narrows his own eyes at Argor, remaining silent as he looks the arcanist over intently. He remains quiet for several minutes before picking up a quill, ”Truly. The fact that the Second Spell Lord speaks highly for you doesn’t hurt matters in that regard, does it, Maven? Very well, I will see to it you receive your commendation to the Order,” he says as he begins writing out various messages regarding Argor’s acceptance to the Varlokkur. ”Over the next few days, you shall receive the written commendations, expectations, and notices regarding your official capacity within the city. Also, you will be expected to report back here tomorrow to receive a Geas, binding you to the duties of office, is that understood?” he adds, casting a wary eye towards the imp on Argor’s shoulder.
Argor arched an eyebrow at the final comment. A geas, eh? Not entirely unexpected, but still a possible concern. I trust, however, that it is nothing I won’t be able to handle.
”An understandable precaution, sir,” Argor answers politely.
Rutai stands and bows as well, ”If you are apprehensive due to my presence, Master Utgar, I can assure you that I am a loyal servant to Master Argor. I served his Master faithfully, and now serve him to the best of my abilities.”
Utgar raises his head at the imp’s claim, stating, ”I knew Strathix. Personally. It is partly due to how highly he spoke of the Maven here that I am even going through with this. I was saddened to learn of his passing. He often spoke of binding one of your ilk to his service, a proposition I often advised against. However, it was impossible to change his mind once he set it to a course of action.”
Rutai smiles, ”A very perceptive assessment of the late Master Constantine. Even so, he was a good man, and a good wizard.”
Utgar nods in agreement, before turning his eyes back to Argor. ”Very well, Varlokkur Argor. The Order will be in touch with you over the next few days, getting you up to speed regarding your duties,” he says as he waves the young wizard off, turning his attentions to other documents cluttering his desk.
Argor bows before turning to exit the office.
The previous week had been a flurry of activity for Argor. He attended a variety of meetings regarding his recent appointment to the Varlokkur, detailing his responsibilities as well as the limits of power his position was entitled. He was also the focus of more than one social function, to which he was joined by his most recent paramour, Imrizade.
As things began to settle, he sent a letter to Lady Hamaria, requesting a private audience with the Blakros matriarch, a meeting she graciously accepted, given the various favors he and his team of Pathfinders had done for the family in recent months.
He arrived at Fiddlemourn Manor early the next morning, and greeted the older woman warmly. The two exchanged pleasantries, and spoke of his recent appointment to the Varlokkur. Eventually, however, the matriarch grew bored of the social etiquette games, asking, ”So, Argor. What is it that brings you to my home this morning? I know you didn’t come all the way to the Petals for biscuits and tea.”
Argor smiles at her, ”Indeed. Lady Blakros, I come here with a request and a proposition. Firstly, the request…I humbly ask that you consider myself an adequate suitor for Imrizade’s hand in marriage. Before you answer, I would like a chance to make my case. Certainly you would acknowledge that the payment of a proper dowry is well within my means. And, despite the fact that I do not come from a noble house befitting the honor of the hand of one of the famed Blakros maidens, I am one of the fastest rising figures of prominence within this grand city. In less than a year, I have done what it takes many a lifetime to achieve. It is, to this point, that I would like to offer you and your family the proposition I have in mind,” he pauses and stands, turning to gaze out the window towards the rest of the city. ”My ambitions do not stop here, madam. I plan to continue to rise in influence, power, and political clout. I have no intentions of stopping until I have reached the top. However, I realize that this is not a task easily undertaken, and is best done with allies and friends. Your family and I have worked well together thus far, and I see no reason for such an allegiance to come to an end. If you would do me the honor of joining your family, together, there would be no limits to our ambitions. Together, we can climb the social and political ladders faster than we can alone, and once we reach their peak…” he turns to Hamaria, his face stern and serious, ”we make sure that none could oppose us.”
Three days later, messages arrive at Jabberwocky Lane, addressed to Hrimnagel, Nyugusk, and Cladissa. They are printed on black paper, the ink in gold filigree. The border of the missive is also penned in the same gold style, clearly crafted by expert hand:
Hrim breathes a heavy sigh of relief when the demoness disappears. He follows Cladissa around to ensure that she is alright and doesn't intrude in her fragile relationship with Argor. Then, the devil praises her. He glides along as her second shadow and separates when she reconnects with her date.
Then, he finds Master Newblossom to wobble home together in pain.
As Cladissa returns to the group, Rutai flies over and offers her a polite bow while remaining aloft on his wings. "A very impressive performance, Ms. Velorryan. I must say, I have not had the pleasure of working with an arcanist of your particular skillset before, but it is quite an interesting methodology you employ."
Cladissa's feathers ruffle when the imp approaches. She pauses, and turns her head to look at him. "Thank you, Rutai. But the lessons this evening have taught me is that I have no intention to consort with fiends, of any ilk. But do not worry; I expect that all your time will be spent fulfilling Argor's demands to concern yourself with my methodology."
She watches as the imp flies off, slitted pupils eyeing him coolly until he is out of earshot. Then she sniffs, and smiles. "Thanks for watching my back, Hrim. This whole affair, you made quite a difference. When we get back, I'll see what I can do about finding your friend."
Returning to the party, Cladissa spots Roald and smiles weakly. Suddenly too aware of her mussed appearance, she runs her fingers through her hair a few times to try to restore it to how it looked at the beginning of the evening.
Quickly realizing that was a futile effort, she forces her hands to remain at her sides as she steps up to him. "So, that's sort of how my life works," she starts. She forces a worried chuckle and looks up at him, wondering how much of the fight he watched.
As Cladissa returns to the group, Rutai flies over and offers her a polite bow while remaining aloft on his wings. "A very impressive performance, Ms. Velorryan. I must say, I have not had the pleasure of working with an arcanist of your particular skillset before, but it is quite an interesting methodology you employ."Cladissa's feathers ruffle when the imp approaches. She pauses, and turns her head to look at him. "Thank you, Rutai. But the lessons this evening have taught me is that I have no intention to consort with fiends, of any ilk. But do not worry; I expect that all your time will be spent fulfilling Argor's demands to concern yourself with my methodology."
She watches as the imp flies off, slitted pupils eyeing him coolly until he is out of earshot. Then she sniffs, and smiles. "Thanks for watching my back, Hrim. This whole affair, you made quite a difference. When we get back, I'll see what I can do about finding your friend."
Returning to the party, Cladissa spots Roald and smiles weakly. Suddenly too aware of her mussed appearance, she runs her fingers through her hair a few times to try to restore it to how it looked at the beginning of the evening.
Quickly realizing that was a futile effort, she forces her hands to remain at her sides as she steps up to him. "So, that's sort of how my life works," she starts. She forces a worried chuckle and looks up at him, wondering how much of the fight he watched.
"Yeah...that was pretty wild. I would have been dead out there. You're amazing..." he says, still in mild shock that the evening turned out this way. "Sorry for not trying to help, I was just...scared I guess. I'm not a hero like you."
She blinks several times, fatigue and her sapped life force making her thoughts muddy. "No, I'm not a hero either. I just have some spells and hexes that sometimes work. And unless you know how to fight then you shouldn't try to help. That's being smart, staying out of the way."
She feels the fatigue catch up to her and she steps closer, allowing Roald to catch her weight. Looking up to him, she asks softly, "Could I trouble you for a ride home? I don't feel up to flying myself."
“Well...I was hoping I’d get to ride you tonight,” Roald jokes. “But in light of what happened we can take Caesar home instead. I’m just glad you’re okay, Cladissa.” He gives her a squeeze of his strong, warm arms.
She looks at him puzzled. "I don't think I'm strong enough to give you a ride. Maybe if you were falling, I could catch you and get you safely to the ground." She leans her head against his chest.
After a evening of restless sleep, Hrim offers to accompany Cladissa and Nyug to visit a healing temple to have his constitution fully restored. He donates 380 gp to their church for the miracle.
On his way back, he stops at Argor's magic shoppe that he overheard Cladissa describing. There, the deep gnome places an order for a Bane Baldric.
Then, he hits his favorite gnome-run alchemical shop to load on more weapon blanches.
Finally, he stops by a bowyer and orders a barrel of small arrows for his longbow to be delivered to Jabberwocky.
After his adventuring errands are run, he sits in the living room trying to think of what to do about Madame Batbongle.
She looks at him puzzled. "I don't think I'm strong enough to give you a ride. Maybe if you were falling, I could catch you and get you safely to the ground." She leans her head against his chest.
Roald sighs. "Alright, let's go." He escorts her to stables, where the excellently trained hands already have Caesar saddled and ready. Roald takes Cladissa home to JAbberwocky lane first, leaving her at the door. "Good evening my dear. Get some rest, You know where I'll be if you need me. I should be in Absalom for the next week at least."
He gives her a kiss, though it is not as passionate as the first time. He follows it with a hug and a smile, then turns and hops onto Caesar. He looks back, offers a final wave, and prepares to fly off into the night...
After a evening of restless sleep, Hrim offers to accompany Cladissa and Nyug to visit a healing temple to have his constitution fully restored. He donates 380 gp to their church for the miracle.
On his way back, he stops at Argor's magic shoppe that he overheard Cladissa describing. There, the deep gnome places an order for a Bane Baldric.
Then, he hits his favorite gnome-run alchemical shop to load on more weapon blanches.
Finally, he stops by a bowyer and orders a barrel of small arrows for his longbow to be delivered to Jabberwocky.
After his adventuring errands are run, he sits in the living room trying to think of what to do about Madame Batbongle.
Cladissa waves back, then enters the manor. She trudges upstairs to her room and gives Jannicke a weak smile upon arrival.
"Party got attacked. Kind of like what happened to the wedding, but worse. We won, though," she mutters before collapsing into her bed.
====================
Cladissa grits her teeth to stifle a scream as the succubus siphons her life force and claims it for her own. She desperately wanted to cry out, but she caught it before it left her throat for fear of bolstering the demon further.
Her arms tremble as she clings to her perch, desperate, as the succubus taunts them. Terrified that she'll finish her off, but just as scared that she'll hunt down Hrimnagel as she watches on, Cladissa again sends her witch's hex at her.
The demon shrugs it off with a smirk and reaches out with almost a caress against her cheek. The last of her life force fades--
And Cladissa wakes up with a gasp, her cheek still burning where her dream had imagined the touch. She shakes herself from the nightmare, though her heart still pounds and her limbs tremble. She looks around the room and reasserts in her mind what really happened.
A soft meow issues from the shadows and Cole leaps up onto her lap. "Sorry. Didn't mean to startle you," she whispers as she pets him and scratches behind his ears. Her familiar rubs against her hands and purrs, calming her.
"That was a handy little warning you gave me," she says to him. "But you could have said the shadows were planning to attack right now rather than some sort of cryptic advice."
Cole mews again. "What do you mean, 'that wasn't it?'" She rubs her temple and groans.
The next morning Cladissa wakes late and finds everyone at the manor had already left for various errands. Still groggy from fitful sleep, she decides to head to Catfolk Alley for some long-overdue grooming. After picking over what was left of breakfast, she prepares a different allotment of magics including several healing spells which she then promptly uses on herself to repair the last of the succubus' damage.
The grooming was heavenly and relaxing, as it always was, but it still didn't set to rest the unease she felt. She felt anxious, and for the first time ever she brings up her mage armor after the leaving the parlor. She initially intended to call upon Roald, but the twisting in her belly got worse as she thought more about it.
A more fruitful task, she decides, would be to help Hrimnagel. She heads to the Sanctum and makes a purchase of several scrolls, including one for scrying. With some surprise she learns that Hrim had been there earlier placing an order himself.
Finding the deep gnome back home, she tells him, "I'm going to learn this spell which will let me scry for Figtribit. It'll be ready tomorrow, I expect, so if you can find any personal belongings of her, it'll help the spell work."
She begins the ritual to add the spell to Cole's repertoire, and four hours later has her familiar drink the brew made from the scroll's ashes.
Once done, she observes the sun low on the horizon. She takes flight, flapping her wings hard to gain altitude and then riding the winds over Absalom. After a while simply soaring and enjoying the flight, her anxiety was almost forgotten. Almost.
Banking in low after the sun had set leaving the darkening sky filled with blue and purple hues, Cladissa drifts over Roald's estate and alights on his balcony.
"Sorry for coming over unannounced, but I just wanted to check to see if you were still all right from last night," she begins when she sees him.
When the battle is over, Nyugusk is relieved that all are still standing...and just as relieved that his social obligations seem to be done.
On the way back to their manor, he looks about for Hrimnagel. When he sees him, the Transmogrifying Lotus says, "I'm a bit at a loss as to where we go next, in search of your lady friend. But I have not forgotten. I have formulae to research but this comes first. If I'm lost in my lab and you have a lead to follow, just pound on my door."
With that, Nyugusk heads to his dorm/lab. He collapses in sleep that first night without even fully undressing...but in the early morning he's up chasing ideas with beakers, burners, and jars of various reagents and other oddities.
The next morning Cladissa wakes late and finds everyone at the manor had already left for various errands. Still groggy from fitful sleep, she decides to head to Catfolk Alley for some long-overdue grooming. After picking over what was left of breakfast, she prepares a different allotment of magics including several healing spells which she then promptly uses on herself to repair the last of the succubus' damage.
The grooming was heavenly and relaxing, as it always was, but it still didn't set to rest the unease she felt. She felt anxious, and for the first time ever she brings up her mage armor after the leaving the parlor. She initially intended to call upon Roald, but the twisting in her belly got worse as she thought more about it.
A more fruitful task, she decides, would be to help Hrimnagel. She heads to the Sanctum and makes a purchase of several scrolls, including one for scrying. With some surprise she learns that Hrim had been there earlier placing an order himself.
Finding the deep gnome back home, she tells him, "I'm going to learn this spell which will let me scry for Figtribit. It'll be ready tomorrow, I expect, so if you can find any personal belongings of her, it'll help the spell work."
She begins the ritual to add the spell to Cole's repertoire, and four hours later has her familiar drink the brew made from the scroll's ashes.
Once done, she observes the sun low on the horizon. She takes flight, flapping her wings hard to gain altitude and then riding the winds over Absalom. After a while simply soaring and enjoying the flight, her anxiety was almost forgotten. Almost.
Banking in low after the sun had set leaving the darkening sky filled with blue and purple hues, Cladissa drifts over Roald's estate and alights on his balcony.
"Sorry for coming over unannounced, but I just wanted to check to see if you were still all right from last night," she begins when she sees...
He answers the door to the balcony, looking a bit surprised to see Cladissa but he lets her in. "I'm fine. All I did was eat and drink in the presence of my betters. You needn't worry about me."
He hesitates and then sighs. "Sit down, Cladissa. I think we do need to talk." He points to the edge of his huge bed, then folds his arms over his chest as he waits for her to comply.
"Okay, I guess," she says as she finds the corner and sits on the edge. "I wouldn't call them your betters, though. Just... a bit more connected."
"Okay, I guess," she says as she finds the corner and sits on the edge. "I wouldn't call them your betters, though. Just... a bit more connected."
"I'm not worried about them. I deal with those kind of people all the time. I'm just wondering where this is going with us?"
Roald begins pacing the floor as he explains. "We've seen each other several times over the last while. But, every time things start to get intimate you act so innocent...like a child." He stops and looks at her. "Forgive me for being so rude, but are you a virgin?"
Cladissa stares at him for a long time as her thoughts race. She mutely becomes aware that her mouth is hanging open but cannot muster the wherewithal to close it. What has that got to do with anything? she can hear herself ask, but she can't voice it.
Her heart thuds hard and fast in her chest as realization begins to set in. It's not a feeling of shame, but a sense that she and Roald are more different than what she had initially thought. She feels the tears start behind her eyes, but she looks up at him anyway rather than turn away to keep him from seeing. "Yes. Yes, I am."
"Well...I'm sure you've realized this, but I am not. I have certain needs...like all men. That being said I would never want to break your heart. I am beginning to fear you are waiting for a white knight to sweep you off your feet and marry you. I am no white knight. I would love to continue to get to know you, and to know you intimately, but I am not ready to commit to one woman for the rest of my life." He pauses to gauge her further reaction.
Cladissa drops her gaze and studies her hands in her lap. A lump forms in her throat as she considers what he is asking, or demanding, or offering -- she wasn't sure how she was supposed to interpret it.
Feeling like tears are about to fall, she takes a few deep breaths to settle her nerves but otherwise sits completely still. Her thoughts race from one absurd scenario to the next, wondering if there was some hidden meaning in Roald's statement. Was he testing her? Maybe just kidding? Or was he breaking up with her?
She looks up at him with red-rimmed eyes. "I don't expect a white knight, you know. I grew up thinking my marriage would be arranged. But that's not going to happen now. I don't know what I'm doing. Maybe I'm acting like a child, getting all giddy when you call me pretty, and when you hold my hand. I've never had that before."
She rises smoothly, far more gracefully than she'd thought she could, and moves to the door to the balcony. She stops in the threshold and turns her head over her shoulder, looking at him past her wings. "I'm sorry, Roald, I'm not ready to give you what you need."
She looks back over the streets of Absalom, giving him a chance to speak before she takes flight.
While doing his tour in the gnome community looking for Madame Figtrigbit Batbongle, Hrim finally hears news. Chesne of House Yuirel at the Fierce Stripe says she's been arrested for badger-cide and is prison. Hrim barely thanks Chesne for the news and is out the door flying toward the prison as fast as his shadowy wings can take him.
Badger-cide? Why is killing badgers illegal? What divinity revere badgers? Wisconsinites? Thoughts swirl around Hrim's desperate mind.
Cladissa drops her gaze and studies her hands in her lap. A lump forms in her throat as she considers what he is asking, or demanding, or offering -- she wasn't sure how she was supposed to interpret it.
Feeling like tears are about to fall, she takes a few deep breaths to settle her nerves but otherwise sits completely still. Her thoughts race from one absurd scenario to the next, wondering if there was some hidden meaning in Roald's statement. Was he testing her? Maybe just kidding? Or was he breaking up with her?
She looks up at him with red-rimmed eyes. "I don't expect a white knight, you know. I grew up thinking my marriage would be arranged. But that's not going to happen now. I don't know what I'm doing. Maybe I'm acting like a child, getting all giddy when you call me pretty, and when you hold my hand. I've never had that before."
She rises smoothly, far more gracefully than she'd thought she could, and moves to the door to the balcony. She stops in the threshold and turns her head over her shoulder, looking at him past her wings. "I'm sorry, Roald, I'm not ready to give you what you need."
She looks back over the streets of Absalom, giving him a chance to speak before she takes flight.
“I understand, and I would never want what you aren’t ready for. If you change your mind, or just want to see me, you know where I am. I cannot however promise not to see anyone in the meantime. If you decide you’d rather not see me again, I wish you all the best dear Cladissa. You are a unique and talented woman. With or without me your star will continue to rise.” Roald offers her a bow of his head, and a melancholy smile. “Goodnight.”
Oh, gods, he's letting me go. He's not going to stop me, she thinks, stepping to the railing of the balcony. She grabs it tight and leans over, her eyes shut against the tears that have started streaming down her face. Her wings open wide and take a few tentative flaps.
I should turn around. Just give him what he wants. That thought comes with clamoring warnings that war with her desire to not be rejected. A mocking voice in Auronee's tone rings in her head trying to convince her that she wouldn't instantly regret that decision.
Cladissa's stomach twists into knots as she jumps up to balance on the rail. She keeps her face turned away from him so Roald can't see her heartbreak. Say something. Take it back. Please. Say you'll wait, she silently implores him.
Without giving him a chance to say anything, Cladissa leaps into the air and beats her wings furiously, climbing high into the sky.
She climbed, up and up, fighting against gravity, higher than she'd ever gone before. She clenched her teeth tight to keep her sobs inside and the night blurred from her tears. The whole world faded to black and gray as she entered the clouds hanging over the great city of Absalom. She didn't care, she fought through the chill and damp pounding her wings against the air until she burst forth above the clouds and into the dazzling display of stars.
The brilliance caught her off-guard and she stalled in her climb, staring at the magnificent swath of stars draped across the heavens. The myriad lights of Absalom had always drowned out the lights from the sky but suddenly she was confronted with their unmuted glory. It distracted her from her misery for a moment as the earth began to pull her back down.
==========================
Her heartache had returned as she plummeted back down through the clouds but she pulled out of her free-fall and after a few more trips above the cloud cover, finally let gravity reassert its hold on her and she glided back to her home on Jabberwocky Lane.
Still dripping wet from her flight into the clouds, she returns to her room to find Jannicke there reading. She looks up and immediately recognizes the despondent look on Cladissa.
"Oh, no. Sweetie, what happened?"
Cladissa's sobs return with a vengeance, and it takes some effort to get anything out. "Roald, he- he- I couldn't-- I wouldn't--" She collapses on her bed as the sobbing overwhelms her. Jannicke gets up from her seat to comfort her.
A few quick castings of prestidigitation dries her off as well as her bed, and eventually Cladissa is able to relate the whole experience.
After some cathartic crying with her, Jannicke draws her up to look Cladissa in the eyes. "Now listen here: You did the right thing. It's not fair he did that to you and I'm so proud of you for leaving him."
Hugging a pillow tight to her chest, Cladissa still looks dejected, but nods. "I think I know that, but why does it still hurt so much?"
Jannicke shrugs but looks sympathetic. "I don't know. I'm so much better off without Argor, but even I still feel it. What would you say if I wanted to go back to him?"
Cladissa shakes her head vigorously. "Oh, gods, no!"
The half-elf smiles. "See? You're done with Roald. He's probably out somewhere trying to get his 'needs' taken care of right now."
Cladissa groans and falls backward on the bed. A fire of anger ignites in her stomach. "Damn him! Why is that so important!?" She growls in frustration. "Men and their 'needs.' I've been a fool. 'He's a dog. He chases cats.' I should have listened."
Jannicke just shakes her head. "Well, now you can change back, I suppose."
Cladissa sits up, surprised at the statement. "What do you mean, 'change back?'"
Jannicke looks a bit pensive. "I didn't say anything at first, but I wondered if you had control over that serum, why you didn't go back to looking like yourself. I assumed that it was because of Roald. Now you can go back to looking like your old self. Or at least lose the fur. Right?"
A long silence stretches between the two women. Cladissa looks down at herself and wonders, go back? Should I? After some reflection, she shakes her head firmly. "No. I didn't stay like this for him."
"I'm sorry, I didn't know. But, why?"
The catlike woman holds up her hands and exposes her claws, while her tail twitches behind her. Cole, lounging on the bookshelf in his favorite spot, lifts his head and stares at her with his intense yellow eyes.
"I can't go back. I don't remember what I really looked like."
Jannicke looked doubtful. "How can you not know what you looked like? It was only about a year ago."
"I wore thick glasses that covered half my face, and when I took them off everything was blurry. But that's not really it. I didn't like myself. My stepsister robbed me of any self-worth I had. I don't know if I was ugly, but I felt ugly. Ugly and weak and a failure."
Cladissa straightens and her wings flap once and settle down. "The first time I ever felt strong was when I looked like this."
The week after the feast at Fiddlemourn Manor passes by quickly, with the team attending to their various personal ventures. On the seventh morning after the feast they receive a summons to attend Venture Captain Ambrus Valsin. The agents have only been summoned by the Grand Lodge's Chamberlain once before, when they were assigned to the Blakros matrimony.
The meticulous VC meets them in his large private office. He sits behind his mahogany desk, surrounded by filing cabinets and curios from around Golarion. Standing to the side of the desk is another man. His features mark him as coming from Tian Xia. He has rich black hair which he keeps styled in a sort of pompadour and looks to wear mostly silk clothing, looking terribly rich with a couple of black studs in each ear. He wears dark framed glasses and carries a long metal rod of Numerian Steel in his waistband.
Venture Captain Valsin stands once all the Freaks are gathered. "Good morning, Agents. I trust you've had a restful week. Allow me to introduce Mettera Black," he says motioning to the Tian man. "He is an experienced Pathfinder and will be joining your team as a replacement for Thrassk. Thrassk is going to be detained long term in Goka caring for his aging mother, and I have decided to honor Argor's request for a new team member. Due to the special nature of your team, and the difficult missions we send you on, the Decimvirate has approved a dose of the mutagenic serum for use on Mettera. I thought you all would like to be present to view his transformation."
The venture captain pauses to allow the Freaks to introduce themselves and respond.
Over the next couple of days, the two roommates help each other as they recover -- Cladissa from her breakup and Jannicke from her reopened wounds. Together they mostly stay in and commiserate, bolstering each other and pulling themselves out of the post-breakup doldrums.
While they both would have welcomed the distraction to help Hrimnagel find his lost friend, apparently he found a lead and didn't need their help. Cladissa did manage to occupy her time a bit by adding her two other scrolls to Cole's repertoire.
By the third day, the two women had lifted each others' spirits and were about to venture forth into the city again. Though raw, they both felt better and were even ready to smile again.
Then Argor's letter arrived and utterly destroyed their progress.