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Nicolette sighs and shakes her head. "You are probably right, Bohrs." A second later, she nods at him and unlocks the door to let him go out. After he heads out, she will then leave the door ajar slightly and will move to the windowsill. With a faint smile to Calaithes, she will sit down on the edge of it, looking out at the large city about them. A moment later, she closes her eyes and tries to calm herself down.
Nicolette can feel her words having no effect on Russiet and as she gets up to leave, at least there is that--her presence gone. Nicolette will watch to make sure the sneak actually goes into her room and closes the door before closing and locking their own. No doubt others in the inn heard the final shouting spat and saw the angered face of Russiet as she stormed out. Nicolette will smirk to at Bohrs with a smile at his trying to patch things up. "He's so kindhearted." Quietly, she states: "Have I not been thankful? Haven't we all? To be perfectly honest, I didn't expect him to evade, dodge, attack, and then freak out. I expected him to apologize and just man up, so it's really hard to say, Bohrs. His actions were pretty psychotic right there...and honestly, just the way he talks to me, which, in truth, last night I told him his words are and have been always directed toward me--since knowing of this condition--like I'm some sort of experiment to him. It makes me feel sick and weak, like I'm beholden to him for his knowledge. That I'm too stupid to live without it. You've noticed it too, I'm sure. And now, even holding his good deeds over my head like I owe him to keep his secret." She gestures to where Russiet was a moment ago basically stating the same thing. "So when he laid this secret on me and made that comment last night...I'm sure, honestly, it was for his own assurance, but I took it as a real threat at the same time...because this guy has not had a funny bone in his body. He has only ever been dead serious. Suddenly I felt like a prisoner. Trapped by my own teammate after just getting out of a hostage situation." "This is not his secret, but last night he then propositioned me to drink from him in a...slightly seductive manner. He seemed to want to say it is possible his blood is special and that I should be drinking more, even bending his neck so I'm more tempted, all to entice me to drink. I told him I was not interested. He made some offhand comment about how I didn't have guts, so I told him why, because he is asking for me to do something very personal with someone I'm not comfortable with and I told him why. Then I left. I think that's where these insults come from this morning." She sighs. "He didn't realize how I could not be into his mindset, and naturally treated me like I was stupid, like this morning. This is a common occurrence with him. Do I think he's a villain? No. Corrupted in heart. Yes. And I think he has a strong temper like you said. He keeps it hidden inside like his secret. What I saw there just now was not the ravings of a madman who will snap and tell the world my secret. No, just the defensive scratchings of someone with no escape. And I wanted him to have no escape because I wanted you both to see what I saw, because it was not my imagination. He really is threatening me. Us and he cannot see it. I knew he couldn't. Regardless, I don't hold that against him. I just wanted an apology. I just wanted him to laugh and joke and say it was nothing serious, but we got the opposite of that." She looks back to Bohrs. "If Russiet were to honestly humble himself and show he's wanting to work together...gosh...it'd...it'd have to be a life-altering change. I'm talking from that snooty a%%%~++ to something like a servant trying to prove his worth...I just don't see that legitimately happening with so much hatred, lying to our face, and what I'm guessing is jealousy in his heart." She shrugs. "Maybe in time, but not now. I just don't think I can work on this mission with someone like that looming over me and I was trying to get him off my back. And you gentlemen know me...I forget a lot of things. It really made me worried I might slip up and then what? I say leave it alone. Let's focus on our mission."
Nicolette listens in shocked disbelief as Russiet incorrectly assumes she's essentially a whore. At least with the company present, they know her. They know she has had one person she was faithful with, wanted to marry, and when he was lost, felt so alone she never let any approach her. In fact, in their village, there is no one less described as a whore. There were doubtless dozens of men who wanted to lay with Nicolette, including evidently Calaithes, yet none could come close. After a hair-raising near-death experience, she may have lightly flirted with Kayle, but such knowledge wouldn't be known by Russiet; nor did it go anywhere. Even last night's interaction with Calaithes is unknown to be true, yet she goes off on this wild conjecture assuming Nicolette sleeps with anyone who wants a good thrust. All Nicolette can do is stare in disbelief at the stupidity she's hearing, not only from her improper new title as whore of the party, but as a drama queen. She stands there watching the flailing child tantrum with a detachment of a parent watching a toddler scream and shout. Thankfully, Bohrs somehow calms Russiet and even mirrors Nicolette's own feelings. She had no intention of sharing or betraying any secret, and hadn't, despite Russiet feeling she had done so already in less than "a meal having passed." However, when the mention of Kayle comes up, Nicolettes grip on her hammer greatly strengthens and her cheeks tense. She speaks with fire: "Your secret...as stupid as it is to keep, is personal to you, and I keep it still...but a normal person with any semblance of intelligence doesn't take a minor secret and threaten someone's life with it. It's measured...like...I'll dye your hair...or I'll paint your armor. Your secret, no matter how personal, is not worth the threat to my life and those I care about who would come to defend me when you seek to bring it to ruin if I somehow, someway, screwed up and betrayed your confidence. It wouldn't be done on purpose, but if it did happen, I don't trust you to measure that action with compassion or maturity. Especially after this display, and I'm not going sit here a minute longer and let you drag my actions through the mud with your stupid tirade. You let the words leave your lips that it was my fault Kayle died and you'll feel my hammer. Now...get the f#&* out of here." She opens the door and steps aside, letting her leave.
As Russiet frowns, it almost makes Nicolette smile, as the others can see through her bullcrap too. She stands there, like a stone, as the papers fly and hit her flat in the face. Her grip on her hammer looses instead of tightens after seeing the emotionless tantrum of Russiet. "Did it make you feel better? Your drama here? 'She is keeping a secret of mine. If she violates my trust...further...'" she calmly half mocks. "How did you get so manipulative? Can you not see? How is that not a threat? Is it not a surprise that I felt threatened last night when you said it to me? Even threatening all of us now in leaving instead of facing this... I didn't agree to keep your secret in the first place. You held me hostage by it. It was thrust upon me the second I walked into your room. Should you have laid out the stakes, I would have walked away. My problem here isn't how you've helped us, it's how you are hurting us."
"I don't want the stakes high. All childish attacks aside against what I did or did not do last night or the feigned confusion in the room, I want the topic to be handled with maturity. It was a serious conversation about a serious topic and the threat certainly felt serious. It came from a person I don't know to joke." She looks to Russiet again. "You've been very particular about your behaviors so why should I doubt that you wouldn't do exactly what you say you would do? I don't think that's good when we are trying to be on the same team." She holds up a hand. "All you have to do is say that you were tense...the topic had your nerves shaken and you make a threat that you didn't really mean. Apologize and we can go about planning the day." She shrugs as if she will shrug it off like it isn't a big deal.
When the others come up, she is standing near the door to let them in. Inside, there is a little breakfast nook with chairs that they can sit at for the time being waiting for Russiet. "You look refreshed," she smiles to Bohrs. "I'm still feeling the sting of last night. The fish helped this morning." Her hammer is out and she leans on the handle while the head of it rests on the wooden floor. When Russiet finally arrives, she will close and lock the door behind them. "This morning, we need to decide where we are going to go, but before that, I have a grievance. One in this party threatened my life last night." She looks to Russiet. "A secret was placed in my care by this person, and under threat that my secret would be told to the entire city, I am not to reveal theirs. Now it may not have been a direct threat, but it put fear in me and loomed over my head that I should be leashed to this secret. I have no problem keeping a secret. What I do have a problem with is after so much fear, dread, and oppression, feeling it from within this party. I hope it wasn't meant seriously, but I'd like to clear the air before we get into the details of what we are going to do today."
"Heh..." she nervously giggles, turning a bit redder in her cheeks. She watches him amusingly as he sets the room in order, meanwhile playing her lower lip over the edge of her teeth as he shifts from here to there. "I think making sure I didn't leave anything behind is a legitimate concern with me...And knowing our luck, Russiet will find it." She sighs annoyingly.
"Yeah, that's who it was. Aromina. I just hope we can gain an audience. We are kind of nobodies." She will pull out the flyer she kept and will show it to him proudly before quickly stuffing it back in her pocket so she doesn't lose it. Nicolette sips on her coffee, enjoys her breakfast, and considers telling Calaithes about Russiet. "I think we should discuss our plans here instead of downstairs. It's nice to have a private room with a locked door. Especially since we are going undercover and don't want others to know anything about us. Should I invite them up in a bit?" She also looks curiously at him, "And...we should hold off on telling the others...about this. Just until I have something sorted..."
Calaithes:
Nicolette actually chuckles a bit at the thought of him brushing her hair. His own long hair must have needed similar care, but hers is far curlier. It was a cute thought and drew the still-hungover Nicolette from the bed, reviving her to a degree. After dressing somewhat more decently, she will head over to her things and pull out a mother-of-pearl and bone-carved comb. It was her mother's and has depictions of the ocean on its small handle.
He would find her hair needed scented conditioners of rose, cloves, and nutmeg to ease the curls into a combable structure that she could later style and braid. She would explain that doing this while it is wet or oiled would be easier, but they likely have no time for such things before breakfast arrives. He'd have seen her also rub tonics into the hair to repel the possibility of mites or other things (when sleeping on the ground in tombs, probably a good idea) during this stage (something he probably did as well from time to time). While he bothered with her hair, she would busy herself with a lotion of hazelnut and vanilla spread over her long slender legs and arms. When her hair is done, she will look up at him cutely in her mirror as she observes her hair. It was nicely done and with care. When breakfast arrives, she will enjoy it with him, as well as casual discussion about Kassen and their boat trip. She'll even open up to him about feeling better and how appreciative she is of him. He would get his first unobstructed, unrestrained view of how she readies herself. How she dresses. How she packs her gear. Even how she equips her armor. Whatever aversion of the eyes for privacy she'd been given as they traveled together was now open to him. Finally, a brushing of her teeth with a chewing stick and some tooth powder and some final touches with makeup will set her ready to go downstairs. At the end of their morning, a final passionate kiss on his lips will ensure she is ready to go.
Calaithes: He didn't know it, but Calaithes provided her the exact comfort that she craved that night--more than blood. It felt good to be wanted. Sounds coming from that room that night were fun and sweet, full of laughter and exploration. It was healthy to have him all to herself; in private as well. He may not have known the importance of it all to feel passion and love in her heart again instead of only dread and despair but he'd see it on her face. After the events with Russiet that night, she was secured by him being there.
When things settled and Calaithes finally drew into sleep, she would have laid there in the darkness under the sheets. It had been a long time since she opened her heart to anyone. She knew also what she had to do that night. In private, her heart grieved and tears silently fell at the thought of vacating Ezra from her heart, but the deed was done. He was finally put to rest. It felt liberating, but not cheerfully liberating. That next morning, Calaithes would see her hair was a bit wilder than normal, as braiding it was the least of her concerns last night. Still, she has a raw beauty laying there looking up at him that he had never seen before. Something primal or fey-like in origin, like a secret only he and maybe one other may have seen before. "I'm fine with the standard meal," she answers him as she toys with her hair to tug it into place and look presentable. "I was kind of hoping to sleep in, but I suppose we should get going on our mission. Also, I'm sure Bohrs and Russiet...will be downstairs." she states with a little pause thinking back to the previous night. With a groan, she lays her head down into the pillow.
Russiet:
Whatever Nicolette was hoping for in seeing this other side of Russiet, it is clear Russiet's personality is the same. She is curious, no doubt. That much is seen on her face by the rejection, but it only fuels Nicolette's disdain for the offer.
"Are you for real? It's not fear or lack of nerve that turns me off, it is your approach to all of this. I don't appreciate being poked and prodded by your testing. You are so...clinical. Try approaching me like a woman next time and not like a rat to be experimented on; especially if you have your own desires mixed in there..." "Which I do suspect..." "In either case, I'm not interested..." She will move to leave. The pace at which she does so might communicate she is not stopping. From the slam of the door, she'd know she didn't want to be followed. She was going to go to her room to drink for a bit. Calaithes:
Nicolette tenses as his arms move around her in an embrace. She was not unwelcoming, but it had been the first time in a long time since a man touched her at all in an affectionate way. Was she really ready for this? It takes a lot of courage for her to overcome the feeling to run away, but she does and smiles warmly at Cal.
At his words, he can see she is taken aback. She had no idea he adored her that much. Loved her? How long had this been brewing? Since Ezra? Just recently? Thankfully, the bit of alcohol that evening was helping loosen some secrets and this apparently was one of them. She had to admit there had been a growing affection there for him too. He leans in and she will meet him with her soft lips. They linger for a moment, then play over his gently in a caressing manner as befitting a first kiss--more exploratory than passionate. She tilts her head to the side in the kiss and draw back to welcome him into her room. She will lock the door behind them. The next day, a knock is heard on the door and she jumps awake with a groan. Then, all of the alcohol hits her and she whimpers with the pounding feeling in her brain. No bad dreams, no crazy demons, just new memories forged. Slowly, very slowly, she sits up to observe the room. While others may be rushing down for food, she is far more occupied that morning with thoughts to readily jump out of bed and meet the day head-on.
For some reason, she just always felt like an experiment when around Russiet. It was a far cry from the care Bohrs gave her or the sweet kindness Calaithes shared. This was like she was a lab rat being told to drink meanwhile being hit on by the newly revealed woman before her. "Maybe some other night..." It is clear that Nicolette at this time is not wanting to drink from her and she moves to stand, as if leaving.
It is hard for her to set aside her love for Ezra. It honestly hurts her heart to put him to rest. It is hard to want to love again or to want to have companionship, but Calaithes has made it easy for her. She's been an emotional wreck. He's been strong. "When I died...you fought for me...that I wouldn't be taken by that devil. You laid your life on the line over and over again, despite the hopelessness of it all. You care for me. You've been nothing but gentle, sweet, and there for me through everything...but what do you want? I'm not so fragile..." she eludes, stating that she's not so fragile she will break if he takes hold of what he wants. She is welcome to him if he is brave enough to take her, but also understands if he recoils back to the common room.
”I get what you are suggesting and it is sweet.” She folds one leg over the other and runs a hand through her hair. ”You may be right. And recently, with the help of the others, I have been able to ease the sorrow I have been feeling in my afflictions, so that emotional regret is nearly gone. My only concern is how I feel naturally. For example, the emotional connection I have with blood. Normally seeing a neck, I’d admire its shape or appearance, but now, I see purpose. Like my brain telling my hand to bring the next spoonful of soup to my mouth, now I feel tempted to do anything to get at others blood. It is highly emotionally based and I only don’t give into it because of my restraint of my emotions. For example, I would love to drink of your blood right now, but I’m trying to control myself and am reminding myself I have already fed tonight…I don’t need it…” She reaches out a hand to feel the reality of Russiet’s true hair. Would it be soft? Silky? Bouncy? How could she have kept it hidden so well? ”You should be more trusting of the others. Just as you have been to me here,” she comments. Later with Calaithes, she notices his pause. It makes her wonder if she’s already so drunk she’s just imagining it or if he’s thinking. When he answers, she listens to his reasoning. Even drunk she can tell he likes her. She will beckon him to come to her doorway. Quietly, she will respond: ”The truth is, I am pretty vulnerable. Powerless really. And for all my strength I’m feeling quite nervous in this complex task ahead of us. I suppose I’m drinking to subside some of that fear. Through everything, you’ve been an enormous comfort to me, and truth be told, and not just because I’m drunk, I could use your comfort…”
Nicolette will play some games earlier in the night but will eventually head up to speak with Russiet and drink alone in her room as planned, leaving Bohrs to have his fun with the others. With Russiet, it is hard to hear the comment about her kidnapping from Russ-iet, even if mirthfully stated. All of this before her is overwhelming to her. She does not answer the rhetorical question but guards herself with her arms folded about her waist. When Russ-iet leans forward and suggestively asks her question, she can’t deny she isn’t tempted. ”Ive not tried it…” she hesitantly wanders closer and looks for a place she can sit, either next to Russiet or nearby. Her eyes go to the notes in Russiets lap to see what she’s got in mind, of if her intentions seem more physical.
Her intentions seem alluring to Nicolette, but she can’t be sure what to think in this instance. She is vastly thankful she did drink from one of her team that night. With Calaithes: ”Than in the forest? Wha? You paid for your own room didn’t yah? And why would they? Surely we left any who would have ill will against us in the other city. You think they can find us here? I mean…why? Why would they be so set after us? Like.. it just doesn’t make sense.” she hazily states with a bottle in hand. ”Are you worried for me? Even behind this locked door?”
”Wow, that is some history. Bohrs! I am drinking some of your god’s blessed wine. He touched it himself. Come, take a sip all of you. Share it with me. A gift not only from Cayden, but from whoever sent those pirates to us so we could afford a taste!” She will give a silent bit of thanks to the gods in her heart.
While Russiet may not notice it or know, Nicolette can see perfectly fine into the dark room. The candlelit hallway reveals everything to her even before she walks in. The moment the door is open to her, she watches Russiet move to the bed and sit lady-like. Needless to say, when the light illuminates, she quickly closes the door to keep the secret and to come in. Where if not for the notes, she’d say more. ”Me be honest with you? You’ve got some stones eh? Are you..even you?” Nicolette did have a bit to drink, and likely ended up drinking quite a bit of ale besides sharing her glass of Chardonnay for the taste among the others. One could guess that this night she was trying to enjoy herself, so when she sees Russiet, the ale is making her actually sweet toned as she’s a happy drunk. While in control of her faculties, it’s clear she’s affected. ”What is your real name and are you here to kill me or something?” she states in a slightly squinty manner. Almost as if trying to accuse her but really too happy at the moment
It is odd to hear someone order something so expensive in such a place, but even stranger hearing it come from her mouth. ”I’ll take a suite and a bottle of that Chardonnay.” She will pull out 10 Platinum and some gold for the room, the meal, and part of her pay for the drinks for the table. She will enjoy herself tonight. With Cal’s blood flowing through her, she feels more alive, but also wishes to celebrate the fact they live and the pirates were foiled. She will share her fancy drink with the others, the captain, Ewem, and the Rangers. She is silent when drinking it. Sadly, as she expected, even it wouldn’t be as appealing as the crimson flow. If they drink it sparingly after the ale, she will take the last of it to her room with her. When she finally heads upstairs to her suite, she will await Russiet, letting him in when he knocks. She will be in her night clothes but still wearing underwear, as she expects a man to come into her bedroom
Cal and Russiet:
"No no, we'll just pull back a second from the rangers talking and we should have our privacy on the way to the inn." ----
The fish smell was toxic to her senses, but nothing she had not smelled worse of when forging with a sweaty dwarf or wrestling with trainee guards. She herself had some fond memories of river fishing and was brought back to that smell, and after a while, her nose seems to fade from noticing it as strongly. Her eyes travel up to the enormous decoration and she wonders at it before looking back down to order. Her eyes will travel to the various bottles of drink visible that she can order. It is from there, she will decide if there is anything uniquely good sounding other than ale to try while she's in a big city.
I am letting people know that as of today, I'm going to be on vacation and where I'm going, my internet may be spotty. I don't mind posting from my phone though when available. I should have internet but if you don't hear from me for some time, that is why. I should still be able to commit to my normal posting speed.
Russiet: When Russiet quietly suggests she speak to him in the morning, she curls a lip. The last morning they had talked she wasn’t quite enjoying serious discussions that early. She will pull him aside and quietly mention: ”How about tonight before we start drinking. Whatever you have in mind I may not enjoy after a hangover…assuming Bohrs starts gambling and drinking with us like in every tavern…or…I don’t get kidnapped again.” Her mirth at the thought of drinking with Bohrs fades on the new subject and she just waits for what he’ll say.
When Private Glendower closes the door on their face, Nicolette audibly snickers and whines. "Aww...I think he's in love." She slyly looks to Calaithes and seems to have a bright glowing smile on her face at the thought of him fawning nervously because of her. It is different clearly when some drunk at a bar ogles her. This is an innocent youthful desire. For that reason, she seems less bothered by it, and the fact Private Glendower is trying to hide it and still be noble makes it all the more cute and entertaining. This only increases as he fumbles about the room once they are let in. She watches with curious eyes as he goes and tells his companions, and she wonders if he mentioned to them there is a "hot chick in armor" out front, which is why they came out the way they did in a seeming rush, or if they are just really interested in pirates and saving the day. She thinks the former. When they are actually paid for the taking of the pirates, she grins, "Thank you for the escort. We were worried about losing them in your populace. They are mightily determined not to end up here, I'm sure." As they head down the road closer to the wedding, she will watch as the leader seems to know them, she answers him after he is done: "Not particularly." She continues, "It's not outside of the realm of possibility though. I'd say we are mostly just looking for opportunities here. There isn't much for occupations in our small neck of the woods. So you know the couple getting married there? Friends?" She doesn't go into more details on why they are there, which was to infiltrate the Church Ramzir as these hired thieves they found by the lake, but that is more due to her misplaced memory. She knows she can recall something, but so much trauma recently has shifted her from these thoughts and now it's forgotten, and is just going with the flow. Part of her is more silent because until she remembers, she doesn't want to screw something up. ----- Back at the ship, she is astounded by the foreign tongue. Other than dwarven, she has not heard so much of it spoken so readily. It's not like Ewen bothered to try much. Her eyes curious bounce from one speaker to the other in confused entertainment. "We are proud to do it!" she responds to the cheer of their heroism. Jakko the leader says he is going to drink with them at the Gar's Last Meal and she shrugs acceptingly. "We might as well walk with you then as an added escort back to the barracks, just to help out. I can carry this one." She points to the dead body, which might be a laughable subject upon looking at the shapely figure of Nicolette, but the looks of possibly the pirates, Cal, Bohrs, the Captain, and Ewem on board might change their minds. When she grabs her gear, hefts her hammer up, and then flops the body onto her shoulder with little struggle, they will know. Before that, she continues, "Then you can lead us to the Gar's Last Meal and we can all get a drink together!" "Plus, I think the Private wouldn't object hah."
With the healing, Nicolette is feeling better, or at least better to travel. She does look like she's been through battle though. When they make their way to the militia headquarters, she grins to the youth who opens the door. He reminds her of some of her friends from Kassen--youthful and not quite ready and experienced to be in the position he is in. She will greet him in short, allowing Calaithes to report. "Private." When Cal finishes his report, she'll nod to affirm his words. "Sorry to trouble you," she states sweetly.
In the Cabin: Through ragged breaths of half pleasure and fulfillment at the blood reaching her mouth, she stops at Calaithes words and offer. She half whimpers and her predatory look softens. All she can think of now is how sweet his words are laced with concern for her. Why is he so nice? Even he lowers himself next to her empathetically. Calaithes will feel her teeth slide back out of his flesh. The small holes will be held by her fingers to promote healing like normally as she studies his face and neck.
"N...," she halts herself. She can't say no. Her thirst is strong, but his sweet kindness is conflicting her to just lay into his neck. From his perspective, he can see the crimson on her lips seems to paint her normal nude colors far more lady-like as she studies him and his eyes with curiosity now; like a thick blood-red lipstick. She will inch closer with her eyes studying him carefully for any hesitation. If he insists, she will linger at his neck a good moment. There, her breath can be felt as she mentally readies herself. She smells of her usual hazelnut and vanilla lotion, a lingering remnant of her perfume from the morning hours, the scent of fragrant hair treatment from her last bath, and the slightly off-putting scent of lake water from when they had to jump onto the sandbar and push the Black Mist out. "He is not that man. This is Calaithes. He is not one of those prisoners. You will not rip at his throat. You will not drink him dry. You will be gentle. He is being sweet, you be sweet in return. He should not even feel you...that is how careful you must be with him." Once she has this mantra in her head, repeating over and over, then, with the softest care in the world, she will kiss his neck. It is deserved after all. A moment later, he'll feel the tell-tale sting of her bite but far deeper driving than his arm. Subconsiously, her hands will wrap around him. One will support his back and the other will snake up into the hair at the base of his skull. It will seem sensual in appearance and perhaps even in sensation to Cal or others who may come to somehow witness it, but in reality, she holds him fast with her hand guiding his neck to keep the flow strong, but not so strong he dies. It is like plunging her face into a glacial spring water pool and drinking her fill. At times throughout, she will repeat her mantra and she won't even need to be warned to stop because of it. Her fangs will retract so slowly he won't even feel it. Slowly she will unwind from him and come to sit back on her legs. Nicolette will attend to him with care, cleaning any blood sign that might have snuck past on him or lingered on her lips. He can cast his spell and heal. Strangely though, that desire to kiss him doesn't fade for her. Whether it is thoughts of Ezra, Kayle, or her own reluctance being a party member with him, she doesn't follow through, and once more fades into herself. All that is left is a small smile for him and a comment about the event: "I took plenty. I'm full. I tried to only take my normal amount--just faster," she mentions softly. "That was really sweet of you. I hope I didn't hurt you too badly." She reaches up to brush his jawline with care and to wipe away a stray blood particle.
"Oh...Are you saying we need to escort them to the barracks ourselves? I was thinking you meant that there were guards in the barracks ready to come get the pirates from us and we follow them there to explain what happened. I mean, typically civilians don't do escorting of prisoners, and while we may be capable fighters, I don't know, I just expected it normal that the guards would come to us with manacles and proper equipment to bind them..." Regardless, of whether the Captain goes and brings guards, or they are forced to bind the others in their rope and march them through the streets themselves to the barracks, hopefully, all will be done without an issue. She'll leave it up to the captain to decide what he wants them to do.
Nicolette is perfectly telling the truth in her threats, and as the one privateer curses her, she seemingly weightlessly picks up her hammer with the intent to swing it at his head. When the others quickly start to elbow at him, she stays her hammer and just walks away.
In the Cabin:
Nicolette closes the door behind Calaithes and he can already see the desire there. Much like her first time, she was reaching her limit. She paws at her chest in discomfort as one in pain does. Her eyes and body are angled to him subconsciously in seductive ways as she mentally struggles against herself.
"There is ... so much blood out there. I just want to drain them dry. I'm so thirsty...I can hardly control myself. When you were striking them I was losing my mind." She pants, drawing far too close to Calaithes as if she either is going kiss him, to latch on at his neck for the faster blood, or force him against his will against the wall. There is that rapidness of a predator for a moment, but at his submission, she feels like she will be betraying his kindness. In restraint, she sinks down to her knees like one in defeat, and like normal, takes his hand, then arm to her lips and drinks. He can tell it's hard for her to slow down at first. It's like being forced to go all day without a drink of water and yet being thirsty, then walking into springs full of flowing waters, but you are not able to have any. Then, when offered some water, it's through the tiniest straw imaginable. Nicolette almost whimpers at the taste of blood finally hitting her throat. It didn't take too long for Calaithes and Nicolette to conclude their business, and shortly after, she will make her way back out. If one of the pirates wants to give her lip, she will just rather knock him unconscious than endure it. --------- As the lights and glow of Tamran illuminate the region with its glow, her eyesight finally is able to perceive the gloom around them. There are ships here and there. Signs of war and pain lie ahead of them. The faces of the people as they dock are not welcoming, and she is far more reserved. When the Captain speaks to them, she nods her head. "Thank you for the passage. It seems I work well with all members of your family so far hah," she jokes. "We can stay with the ship and the pirates if you wish to go to the barracks. You seem to maybe know where it is better than us." Once their business is sorted and the prisoners carried away, she will take all of her belongings and begin to pack them to bring with her to Gar's Last Meal.
Nicolette will tie up the junker vessel to the back of the boat. If it starts to sink on the way in for whatever reason, they can always cut it off. She watches Calaithes torture the pirates. In her mind, it's nothing they don't deserve, and she was wanting them to shut up anyway. "I could use some more healing," she looks to Bohrs, but doesn't say his name in the presence of the pirates. "That is, if your god wishes to aid me more. I am still quite injured." If he is capable, she will be healed, and if not, they do have the potions and can rest. After this, she will approach Calaithes, since she had drank from Bohrs last. "Before you knock them down a peg more, I need your help briefly, do you mind?" she hints to Calaithes. Part of it is to get him to stop torturing the pirates and join her in the cabin. The other is that every strike he takes on them makes her animalistic side want their blood more and more; each hit, doubling the intensity she's feeling. Now that she looks in his eyes, he can see the hunger there hidden beneath a veneer of control. The beads of sweat down her forehead betray her. She is losing her mind and she is doing her best to fight it. All she's had to eat and drink today was some water and Ewem's useless meal. The smell of iron from the blood on the ship would be fragrant even to him. To seal the deal, she looks to the prisoners: "Look down. Shut up. Stand there obediently and don't even twitch. Then maybe I won't bring my hammer to finish the job. Maybe your Imperial Governor will pay for your head? Maybe the government here will spare you for information...but with my hammer, there is no end that you don't die." She points to the one with his head crushed. They can tell she is livid at them. Passionate, and not in the right mind to restrain herself at least in this regard (as they don't know why exactly she's struggling). If they are compliant now, Nicolette will move into the cabin.
Yes, I'd agree with that.
Nicolette won't attack the remaining Corsair. Not until the captain ordered it. She would search them and then tie them to something secure and unmoveable. Those dead, she would leave folded respectfully in front of their companion(s). The Pale Hammer still bleeds from her lip that was cut, and from her upper chest which was slashed. Her armor took most of the brunt of the hit, but somehow the blade found enough skin to give her a nice slash there. The other wounds on her have healed. Nicolette will then help search the boat. She looks carefully, as it would make sense these pirates keep smuggling holds.
Once everyone is done searching the boat and bodies, she will wait for the captain's word on the boat's destruction. "I am with Calaithes. Selling a boat might be worth a thing or two to a local fisherman. Perhaps it can be used for good once more? I'll follow your orders, captain."
With light returning, she will quickly find the pirate who is surrendering and hold him as a prisoner for the captain. Her heart beats steadily and strongly at this moment as the bloodied man stands before her. Whether it is his blood or the blood of his companions, she is not sure. The scent is intoxicating. This causes Nicolette's breathing to intensify a little bit. She closes her eyes for a moment and tries to recover herself from the sensation of biting the villain. "Bohrs, is Ewem still with us?" she asks in a concerned tone, trying desperately to redirect her mind. Whispering to Calaithes, she hints, "Do you want to secure their boat to this one so it doesn't drift away? I've got him." Then looking at the captain, she wonders what his verdict will be on the prisoner. "What are your orders concerning this one captain?" On the lake, he held jurisdiction, and piracy was a killable offense. Even if they made it back to shore, he'd probably likely spend the rest of his days in a metal cage for the birds to pick clean she figures. Or would he be granted freedom despite his crimes of mass murder? At these thoughts, suddenly similar thoughts of the shop owner comes flooding into her mind. She felt the same with him. Her eyes look at the man's neck and then away.
It would not be so easy getting away from her. In her guarded stance, Nicolette could still have the general feel of battle and where the man was at. When he leaped, making a significant sound in the darkness, she was ready.
There is a crack in the air as Nicolette brings her hammer down. As Ewem's song died off, she tapped into her own strength. Nicolette was far more deadly when she could think. There is no violent rage cry that is heard from the skinny beauty. She just uses her mind and inner strength to facilitate what she needs her body to do. It is logical. It is trained. It is raw power.
It hurts her significantly to be slashed by the cutlass. So much so, that she swings her hammer down in an awkward way.
She does not get lucky and hit the man, but now she is far more nimble. Will it matter against a dexterous pirate?
Nicolette's teeth hunger for blood as the fight continues. If her mouth were open, the long fangs would likely begin to descend, but she mostly keeps her mouth shut. They would know her resolve soon enough. Only grunts of force are heard as she heaves her heavy hammer into the chest of another pirate. She is starting to get the hang of cleaving people. If only she can connect with both.
Nicolette feels the sting of the Corsair's strike. Not only is he ugly and covered in goop, but he still managed to hit her. So off balance was she from the strike, it made it easy for the man. Perhaps it was that and the effects of the captain's sounds causing her distraction. Regardless, she had to finish him.
"Oooh, hit hard enough and you can swing right through someone. I like that," she thinks to herself as she sees a pirate cleaving. Aiming at Green, she comes down with her hammer, hoping to continue the arc into the thigh of Red.
Nicolette feels the rage within her well up at the sound of the Captain's chanting. She is ready for battle. She will wait for them to come to her though. Their weapons are short and meant for hacking and slashing in close combat. She knows they are coming aboard. Her hammer is ready.
"You cannot board this boat!" she commands in a scary voice. It is seemingly authenticated all the more by the creepy chanting. "You will not run by me." she relays, dropping a subtle challenge for them to try, all the while she readies herself to decimate them if they do.
"Ewem took a good hit," she voices to the cleric, wondering if he will go heal the man or if Calaithes will do it while being so secretive. She has no idea where the half-elf is, but there is a rumbling cackle that ensures the hex upon her remains. The boat will be here in a second. Nicolette decides she is done with her sling after such a poor throw, but is thrilled to see the lights still on the pirates and the blood now dripping down the face of the one she nailed.
"You might give them a love tap with the ship, Captain. It might knock them off balance when they do try to board. I'll go get ready." From there, she moves down to ready herself for the arrival of the pirates. As she holds her hammer in her hand, visions in her mind of the skeletons that killed her and skewered her through the heart flash before her eyes. Now she is the one waiting for the approach of enemies.
"Thank you, Captain!" "Keep those lights on them, Calaithes," she encourages. In the meantime, she will prepare another shot and will begin to swing her sling. A whooshing sound echoes over the lake before the string is let loose and the rock flies.
Nicolette groans as the light just isn't enough to illuminate those aboard. She watches carefully, ducking down at the sounds of bolts being let go. When Nicolette finally sees them, she takes a good look for that captain shouting orders and will let her sling go! "To the Drunken Hero!" She then looks over to the captain as she readies herself. "Faster movement would help me!"
"Captain, you have shown a lot of insight on the river. How sure are you they are pirates?" She wonders if this is one of his powers or just experience? "Do you want to call out to them?" "Calaithes. When they get close, light them up with your light spell," Nicolette whispers and will hum an "okay" when they get close for him to do so (round 8). She is ready to pop up and attack should they actually be pirates. If the ship changes direction before then or doesn't manage to get close to them, she will not react and will have Calaithes hold.
"Yes, thank you Russiet for your knowledge and insight too. You've helped us immensely," she adds upon overhearing Bohrs' cheering outburst. It is probably one of the few things she's said all day except the few words to the captain. When Russiet alerts them to the incoming danger, Nicolette steels herself and ensures the Captain has heard Russiet. She then takes up a position of concealment out of sight from the direction the ship is approaching. She then brings out her sling into her one hand and puts her hammer away. "We'll follow your lead captain. If you signal us to attack, we'll be at the ready," she mutters up to him at his wheel.
"We'll be okay," she replies. "And even better under the cover of darkness. I say we keep going. Plus, if we don't die, then we can get fresh hot local food a nice comfy bed to sleep in." She looks to Cal's lights dancing about the boat. Then to the captain. "Should we stop the lights?" she asks, worried about what is going to happen if they head for rocks and the like.
Calaithes:
Nothing is said to Calaithes when he seems concerned about her hesitation. Perhaps only his elf eyes could see her eyes water as she sunk her teeth into his flesh. If before she was gentle, this time she was extra. When her thirst was gone, she stopped drinking, as if rationing herself. It didn't help her as she later vomited, but it was as if in that moment, she was tormented by the action of drinking and didn't wish to talk about it. This day, Nicolette did as she was supposed to, but the Captain would notice she was far less communicative than before on the ride down. She actively avoided Ewem and mostly just stood in the rain under her hood watching outward. When they did hit the sandbar, it was a surprise to her as she had just been looking there. So suddenly it came upon them that she flopped onto the deck and onto her butt. The next bit, she would work hard to dig out the ship and help push it off the sandbar. It is only then that she seems somewhat happy and cheerful, but shortly after, she goes back to a somber mood standing by herself for the rest of the day. No questions. No curiosity. She is clearly not herself. After eating that supper, she thinks to herself, "Imagine sailing on this boat nonstop. I imagine the captain could use better food." The thought of Kayle cooking, however, sours her and she spends the rest of the night in solitude. The next day, they will find that at times, she will be hugging herself, and other times, her hand will be toying with her tummy or spinning her hammer in thought. When the Captain speaks up, she looks at his face and the silence that has drawn over him and she asks, "What's on your mind, Captain?"
Nicolette heeds the warning, but doesn't change clothes right away. Perhaps the captain can tell something is off. The Pale Hammer stares off into the distance far to much to be the sentinel she was a day or more ago. As evening nears, his soul may be more at rest when she reemerges from the cabin wearing her armor and carrying her hammer. One thing of note is that as the night draws on, she has not requested to feed. She is growing increasingly thirsty and it will likely take her reaching a level of significant discomfort to reach a point where she finally feeds. If asked, it will simply be because the memory of last night is making her sick. Of the two of them, she will drink first from Calaithes and recover herself, but will not feel right the whole night. It will cause her such great discomfort that she will eventually vomit it up off the side of the boat, leaving a bloody mess in the black waters and blood down her face. The blood, hanging over the side of the boat, is easy to clean up, thankfully, but now she is without food. Unfortunately for Bohrs, it means she will have to drink from him too. In the middle of the night, she will gently wake the cleric stating she threw up and needs to feed again. As gently as she can, she plucks his skin and partakes until she is full once more. The rest of the night, she holds her sickness down and keeps faithful watch. Being so exhausted from the night before and the lack of good, deep sleep, she will actually slumber in silence during her morning hours rest time. Only a couple of whimpers are heard from her and then nothing.
Upon arriving in the temple, she eyes the great owl and will produce her own dried meat from her pack for it if she is allowed to feed it and it is interested in even more food. They are a bit larger pieces than what it is fed from the priestess, so Nicolette will break it apart for the avian while the others address the symbol. Nicolette will thank the priestess for her care and her kind words before heading out. The fact she asks them to destroy evidence of the paper makes her feel unsettled, but will leave the decision up to Bohrs. It's not like they can't recall it later. ---- She asks the Captain, "Why the coast? Is the lake rough?" ---- As soon as the group settles in and puts their belongings away, she will consider changing into her armor set. Hesitation takes over and she does not, instead choosing to remain in her dress until evening begins to settle and the lights of the city begin to fade. Then, she recognizes danger may set upon them and will change into her armor. For most of the time, she is looking behind the ship on watch, hoping to catch a glimpse of this demon following them.
Nicolette listens intently, hoping to hear Russiet's theory, but it is shut off. "What was he going to say??" she wonders. She watches as Russiet gets up to leave abruptly as the others volunteer their aid to her. His reddened cheeks say a lot, but she isn't sure what caused it. Either he was embarrassed, afraid, hiding something more, or a myriad of other things. If she were to guess, he is absolutely against having her drink from him. Nicolette doesn't communicate how appealing it is to her to think of drinking blood from an innocent as it is mentioned. And the more she thinks on it, the more she knows that were she to drink, the more innocent, the better. Naturally, she is disturbed by this. It is hard to tell if her newly disturbed state is because of Russiet's abrupt rise or just the subject, but she is uncomfortable in appearance at the least. Were it not for Cal's attempts at humor, she probably would stay that way. As a result, she draws closer to him as they walk and she interjects herself into his presence to come up beside him with a hug initially, then she will even loop Bohrs in for it as well with a grabbing arm. It's an awkward, goofy, friendship hug/walk down the street a ways, but eventually, she will go back to her own pace and solitary walk.
It felt strange to hear Russiet talk to Calaithes that way. To her senses, it wasn't very kind for a companion. "I don't know who is right. I believe Calaithes, that he saw that demon creature and there is something sinister at play. You may also be right in saying these dreams are part of my corruption. I can only say that I don't believe this is Ezra behind the scenes, and if it is, he is not himself. If he is not himself, just as I have come to struggle in this, so too must he have and we should have pity. However, if this is a foe unknown, I will have swift vengeance upon them for this. And if it was the curse in that dungeon, then the sooner we move on, the better." She nods to Bohrs' words and will finish her breakfast. The food doesn't necessarily hold any appeal to her except for flavor, and minor flavor at that. It is nothing to blood, however, it does help her to feel normal. For the brieftest of moments, they may have a fond memory of her eating with them on their journey to the crypt or in town before it. When they are finished, she will gather her things and walk quietly and slowly toward the dock. She dreads each step, wondering what is to come, how much they will have to share with the captain, and her having to bite into someone again that evening. She wonders if she can. |
