"Until my last breath and beyond."Sādhanā replies, the words resonating in her soul as soon as she speaks them. "I am yours Clara, now and forever."
Tears fill the magus' eyes as well, brimming with a joy she'd long though out of her reach.
After she rubbed the ointment on, Drago gently placed his hands on Elena's shoulders and slowly pulled her in for a kiss. "You're welcome, my love." And he embraced her lovingly, her warmth giving him comfort.
As she takes the offered dress, Arista feels how exquisite the material is and how it seems to glide against her skin. Never having had anything like this in her time, it was a completely new experience to her. She looks it over turning it over in her hands. She takes off her old clothes and puts them in a heap on the floor. Those will have to go in a burn pile. Standing there in her shift she tries to figure out how to put on the modern dress. After a few minutes she finally gets the dress pulled on and smooths it around her many curves. She adjusts the silver band in her hair that Marie had given to her, and pulls some of the longer curls out to frame her face.
She takes a deep nervous breath.
"It's okay, you can come in and look now."
With a nervous expression on her face Arista looks at the other woman.
"So....what do you think?"
Clara looks at Sādhanā seriously. "Would you...would you be my wife, Sādhanā? I know I could never love another as I love you."
***
Elena wraps her arms around Drago, kissing his neck. "I am always here for you."
Esmerelda lights up. "It suits you, Arista. I usually don't have time for such things anymore. I brought them...because they were gifts from my grandparents."
She smiles and sits on the bed. "So, let's do something with that hair."
The emotion in her eyes is evident as she goes to sit next to Esmerelda.
"I...don't even know what to say. It's such a special gift, it means alot to me."
She fiddles with the curls hanging loose around her face.
"All I have for my hair is this silver band that my niece gave to me. Do you really think you can do something with this unruly mop?"
She goes into her pack and pulls out the brush that Marie had given to her and hands it to Esmerelda.
"I wonder what Alethiro will think of it. Hey...I got an idea. There are still things that I need, seeing as how I didn't have much on me...would you like to go shopping with me tomorrow? I can drag Alethiro along with us and make him watch me try different things on. It could be really really fun."
Arista looks at her with something like anticipation and hopefulness in her bright and sparkling emerald green eyes.
"As much as I'd like to say yes, I really am a night person," she says, taking Arista's hair in one hand and the brush in the other. "Your hair will need a wash soon, it's rather stiff. I suggest keeping a spare canteen on you while you're on the field to keep your hair clean, once every two days. Men don't understand such things. Hmm."
She brushes and braids Arista's hair into a simple but elegant bun. "There."
She sits thoughtfully for a few moments.
"Do you think I should go back to the tavern and check on him? He's been through alot lately as well....sometimes he drinks too much and then falls asleep in strange places. He's been feeling pretty low, so maybe if he sees me in this it'll cheer him up? I'm just worried about him and want to be sure he makes to an actual bed."
Arista slaps her hand to her forehead, feeling a little silly.
"Of course, sorry I forgot. I just got carried away a bit. I can still make Alethiro go with me though. That should be an interesting excursion."
She lets out a small girly giggle.
The breath seems to leave her body, such is the power of Clara's words. Her mind reels, overwhelmed with a level of emotion she was had long numbed herself to.
Looking into the flame tressed paladin's eyes, she can for the first time see a glimpse of a future that held something more than simply fighting. Something that balances the action, danger and peril that she'd for so long filled her empty places with.
Love, a home, a reason to see the world in which she lived become a better place.
Clara
In the infinite space between heartbeats, she realized that if every moment of her life had led her here, then even the worst of them were worth every second to be with the amazing woman who had awakened her heart.
The tears flowed freely as the last of the chains she's placed on her heart shattered.
"I will. If you will be mine
Arista shrugs her shoulders.
"When I came from, I wasn't much different from one of the guys."
"Until the day the gods take us, love," Clara whispers, tears falling from her eyes. She presses her lips against Sādhanā's, an expression of devotion and undying love.
***
"On the field of battle, gender doesn't matter," Esmerelda says, straighten the hair band on Arista. "It's why I feel comfortable there. I am not an object to be drooled over, I am a sword, a blade for justice."
She smiles and shakes her head. "So that elf has your eye, eh? Go to him and keep him company. I should get some training in before daybreak, anyhow."
Arista just looks at her, moved by her words and her conviction. She smiles at her kindly before getting up off the bed.
"I couldn't agree with you more. You are a wonder Esmerelda, I hope we have the opportunity to fight in battle together someday. It would be an honor to fight alongside you."
She stands straight and gives Esmerelda a warriors salute. She walks to the door and pauses before leaving. Looking over her shoulder she bids farewell to her new friend.
"Have a good night, and thank you again."
With that, she departs and hurry's back to the tavern. Half hoping that he will still be there, but at the same time hoping that he isn't since that would mean he was actually in bed. She felt torn as to which she wanted as she made her way back there.
Arista is almost breathless by the time she reaches the tavern. She goes inside not knowing if he will be there or not.
She goes in and looks around for Alethiro.
"You did much better than I expected Alethiro, keeping yourself under control. It's a lot harder than one might think."
Before she goes much farther into the tavern, she takes a moment to straighten her dress a little and take a few breaths. She didn't want him to think she was too desperate to get back to him. She readjusts the silver band and makes sure there are just a few long wavy curls out to frame her delicate face.
After a few more minutes of primping she walks back to the table where they had been sitting.
"Thank you Cyna, I appreciate that." Alethiro replied. As he was about to take another bite of his meal, he stopped in mid-bite when he saw Arista in the door. Stunning. The Elf thought.
Arista takes her seat again next to Alethiro. She nervously figits with the dress, as she is not accustomed to wearing such things. She still wears her worn boots, but they are hardly noticed beneath the flowing dress.
Taking a steadying breath she looks to the others.
"So...did I miss anything?"
She smiles shyly at Alethiro, the color in her cheeks deepening.
"I'm not sure." The Elf responded before proceeding to tell her what Drago said. Afterwards, he asked, "Where did you get that dress? You're absolutely beautiful."
With a nervous smile she looks at Alethiro.
"I went for a walk and ended up running into Drago's sister. We got to talking and....one thing led to another. She saw the sad state that my own garments were in and offered to help me out. She's actually very sweet, she just has alot on her mind at the moment, as we all do. I don't think they mean any harm, they are just as confused as we are by the state of things."
She takes his hands in hers, kissing them lightly and looks back up at him.
"Don't worry about what Drago said. Just let it go for now....we are stronger in numbers and if things really go south, we are going to need all the help we can get. This is not the time for in fighting, we have to all be strong and work together for the common good. Just know that I love you, and I stand by you."
"And I love you." He said as he put his right hand on Arista's cheek. Looking at what was left of his meal, the Elf added, "It's been a long day, I think I'll go get some sleep." Getting up from his seat, Alethiro asked, "Shall I show you to your quarters?" He extended his arm and waited for her response.
Giddy with elation, Sādhanā makes her way through the fortress with Clara to the room they share, taking in the changes to the fort as she goes.
Clara leads the way to their chamber and falls onto the bed, pulling Sādhanā down with her. "I love you."
Arista looks up at him, her face radiates happiness as she stands and takes his arm. Staring into his eyes, the rest of the world just seemed to melt away.
"I would be honored to have your company. I'm pretty tired as well and could do with a rest."
She pauses for a moment before leaning into him for a quick kiss.
"I'd go with you anywhere you wished."
Dropping her gear Sādhanā happily gives in to the gentle yet insistent pull of the woman she loves, the door to the chamber shutting itself at a flick of her wrist and an uttered arcane word.
"I love you too. More than I could ever put into words." she says as she collapses onto the bed, melting into a passionate kiss.
Alethiro escorted Arista to her quarters. Upon reaching their destination, he kissed her gently and said, "Good night, my love."
Once he reached his room, the Elf knelt by his bed with his holy symbol layed out before him. "Pharasma, I beseech you, give me guidance for the correct path to deal with Drago Skorzeny." Quietly he waited, hoping his Goddess would answer.
After saying goodnight to Alethiro, Arista takes off her new dress and lays it carefully over a chair. She chunks off her boots and tosses them in a corner. She undoes her hair and lets it cascade around her face and down her back. She goes to the wash basin and washes her face before slipping under the covers. She tosses and turns for a while before slipping into a deep sleep, a smile of contentment on her lips as she dreams.
"The correct path is one that brings no unnecessary death. The world only moves forward, Alethiro. To look back on the past and what has happened is a fool's game. What do you want to be said? That Drago should be forgiven? That is not my way. I deal with what simply is: life and death. If you want to mete out forgiveness, that is by your own choice, but that is also unnecessary. I offer no comforts, but I will answer what you ask of me."
She sits patiently, looking at Alethiro.
Leaving the affection folk around him to themselves, Harakhty left for the leader of the fortress. He would know of the man's schism with Barclay. The others are young, changing yet. This man is more stubborn. IF Harakhty couldn't change a difficult path with Godrick, he would have to work around him.
Coming up to the man's chambers, the agent listened outside them for any signs of a conversation. With none , he knocked.
"You have been ill of late. Ill of spirits, not of body. I saw it in your eyes with the talk of the Covington Lords. I see it new with the arrival of this Barclay. What brings you strife with this man? He should not be here if your suffering is a result."
Godrick, sitting alone, nods as the vanara enters. "Barclay still serves the Church of Iomedae, for good and ill. He was a pupil of mine for many years before he went his own way. Until I know his intentions, there is nothing to be done. I do not suffer because of his presence. It is the words unsaid that unsettle me."
Cyna watches amused as Alethiro and Arista head off together. With no pressing matters at hand the Ranger decides to check up on her elder sister Sienna.
Sienna walks around the town, just looking around, until Cyna approaches. "Hey...getting some night air, too?"
"I always preferred the outdoors, but mostly I thought we could catch up now that no ones life is in immediate danger."
Sienna grins. "Good idea. So how is everyone's favorite devil-girl? Ylrhea, that orange-haired gnome, was asking about you. Apparently, you two talked briefly while her and Drago were trying to escape from his mother."
She smiles. "It has been good to see you again. At least, you could understand me when no one else could. Even though I'm part demon, people still treat me like a full one. Not like I got to choose my mother."
"I'm still fighting." Cyna replies.
"That's possible these crystals their not exactly reliable are they?
"None of us get to choose their blood, but we can choose our friends."
"Not really, they do what they want to do for the most part," Sienna says, grinning at Cyna. "And truer words have never been spoken. At least, between you and Elder Sister, I don't feel so alone now. I mean the rest of the Green Circle's fine, but..."
She shrugs for a moment, her dark hair hanging in front of her face. "I feel like I have to be the commander for anyone to take me seriously. I can't cut loose or have fun. Eh, maybe it builds character. Of course, I have to deal with Marcus in the morning, as well."
Nicatha watched the series of confrontations all involving Drago silently. This family be nothing but trouble, but they will not be the death of me. Still her own fate seemed linked to his in a way with which she was not in any way comfortable. She didn't blame the man. The would be blaming the victim, but she did have to confront and overcome her feelings of resentment.
More interesting was the story of the God Slayer. The moves the spirits were making were coming into focus. She sensed the shadow of several different threats emerging. Her intuition was that the spirits were trying to force a convergence of several different problems and hoping for a mutual annihilation of those problems. This was not a thought to be shared. Voicing it could be dangerous.
Luckily, in all the excitement nobody seemed to notice the woman in white, watching and listening to all that was happening.
With a grin of her own Cyna suggests "Then you still have all night to do whatever you want. Take the opportunity to "cut loose" while you can."
"How about you, Cyna? You turning in for the night or care for a drink with an old friend?" Sienna asks with a mischievous grin.
Cyna shakes her head amused with Sienna's request. "I suppose I can sit for awhile, Old friend."
"Come on, then," Sienna says.
She drags Cyna back to the tavern and orders drinks for the both of them. It takes a while, but Sienna finally gets fairly drunk. Conversations range from the weather to monster hunting tactics. After about 10 or so ales, she starts nodding off in the chair.
Cyna resists the urge to tease her companion about her idea of cutting loose was nothing more than samll talk and too much liquor. "Looks like you've reached your limit Sienna." Cyna says. Moving to assist her friend.
"You've known him for years; you should be able to interpret his silence." Harakhty presses the man a touch - he knows more than he's letting on.
But after their conversation ended, the inquisitor didn't want to just leave the guesswork for his foundation. I must speak to Barclay himself.
Curling up for sleep, the Suntooth looked for an eventful day ahead.
Sienna slings an arm over Cyna. "Probably. *hic* I'm shorry thish washn't more fun. Ah, well. *hic* Sho, it'sh been a while shinche we lasht shpoke...did you ever find...y'know...shomeone?"
Indulging Sienna's drunken state Cyna answers her question as best she can. "No. There aren't that many people who live as long as we do, and I'm not to keen on the idea of continuing my bloodline. How about you Sienna? Anyone ever catch your eye?" Cyna does her best to aid her fellow Tiefling while fighting the effects of her own, though significantly lower, alchohol consumption.
"No...there hashn't been anyone? Maybe I'm too conshumed by the idea of redempshion to try," the tiefling answers, gazing into Cyna's eyes. "You'll be okay, Shyna...I shee the good you've done...the good you can do. I'm shure there'sh shomeone out there for you *hic*"
Sienna stumbled a bit as her and Cyna walk back to the Common House. "Well, thish ish me. Have a good night..."
Cyna helps her to her room and she collapses on the bed, giggling slightly. "Unlessh you want to shtay..."
Cyna teases her drunk friend while she helps Sienna get comfortable "I shouldn't take advantage when you're drunk. Besides, you'd pass out before long anyway."
"Heh, no. It'd jusht be nice to have shomeone elshe keeping thish bed warm. I'll keep my handsh to myshelf," Sienna says.