Search Posts
"You know we have to go to her performance first right?" Von counters, turning back to the last few pieces of washing up. They finish work and Von gives Vy a last hug before she leaves to change before the theatre. "Vy... you know you can come to me any time right? For anything? I mean it. I want to be here for you."
"Oh Vy." Von says and engulfs her friend in a hug. Her hands are wet but she ignores that, just like she ignores the wetness forming on her shoulder and just holds her friend tight. "The gods didn't take her away Vy, life did. She lived so well and she raised an amazing daughter. She was proud, of herself, of her life and especially of you. I know she was. She's in Nirvana now Vy - I believe that with all my heart and she wants you to be happy too." She hasn't done much grief councilling - Sarenrae teaches hope but her training has focused more on the 'necessary cleansing of the unrepentant' than the 'supporting those in grief' side so when she runs out of words she stops talking and just holds her friend close instead.
With Viv:
"And you started to snore." Von replies with a teasing smile before giving her sister a hug. "I'm glad to be back too Viv. I missed you." "Uh, Von ... I wasn't ... I didn't ..." she glances behind her into the house before turning back to her friend. "It's not really a good ..." She trails off and sighs. "Dammit, Von. How do you always know?" "You always run your hand through your hair when you're stressed." Siobhan says with a smile. "Just like that. Don't worry, it's just me. My room at the temple was only tidy because I didn't have anything to mess it up with!" She sets too with a will, wielding a broom with vigor as Vyana clears the way and then settling in with a brush and a pail of water to deal with the dishes while Vy sorts out where things go. It is into a companionable silence that Von speaks. "I'm sorry Vy, for not being there. I know you must miss her very much..."
Looking down at her sister, she smirks "Know anyone who has lost a bet recently?" "I didn't get eaten by a gribbly," Von says with a smile. "I'll take that. And no whining if I'm too strong for your delicate neck..."
It turns out that Von is very good at massage. She applies just the right amount of pressure to work out the kinks, starting with her sister's neck and working down her shoulders and back until Viv is nearly supine on her bed in complete and utter relaxation. She even knows to warm her hands up first. Clearly Von is no novice to the fine art of massage! ------------------------------------
"Hey Vy," She says, stepping forward as though for a hug and then pulling up short. "The way you rushed off reminded me of when you were supposed to have tidied your room so I thought I'd come and help... If you want..."
Siobhan removes the ranseur, locates the scrolls, hands them off to Vy and is getting ready to leave again before she registers that Helmy is staring - and possibly in love for the first time in his life. "Is he drooling?" She whispers to Vy. "More than normal I mean? The statue isn't that pretty is it?"
"You want it now, or once we get out and I take my gauntlets off?" Siobhan asks in reply, holding up her mailed fist, dripping with ichor and other best unidentified fluids from inside the plant-altar-thing. With that matter dealt with she leads the group in backtracking to examine the other rooms they've bypassed.
"You always show me the most fun places Helmy." Von replies drily. "Anyone want to bet a gold that something jumps out of that thing and tries to eat me?" She waits to see if anyone will take her up on the bet and then takes a deep breath, sets her shoulders and moves cautiously into the room with shield raised.
"I'm going to need a while." Siobhan says, sheathing her blade and wincing as her skin cracks at the motion. "Maybe you can open another door by then Helmy." She grins at the dwarf to make it clear that she's teasing and then settles in to start fixing herself up. "Viv, do you still carry the aloe oil?"
Since Helmy hasn't lost his sticky fingers and makes the cold iron scimitar disappear before Von can try it she sticks with her trusty silver one and this proves to a rather good thing when the undead appear. She starts sweating almost the moment she gets close, keeping her shield high as her training has always taught her.
"Well we think you're a hero Helmy!" Siobhan says cheerfully. She's fixed up her own injuries thanks to the Dawnflower's blessing and has settled in to rub Vy's back firmly until she feels better. Her sister gets a wink and a proud smile - that was the very first blow she'd ever taught Viv and perfectly executed at that! "Well these are nice and all." She says, slipping the stones away into a pouch, "But there's no way this is it. Someone summoned this demon. Can we press on or shall we take Nualia's body back and report to Father? We don't want anyone getting hurt again."
Siobhan gets her shield up and deflects the worst of the fireball although Vyana getting in front of Viv puts her right into the line of what Siobhan can deflect. Trying to make the demon doesn't get a chance to throw another fireball Siobhan charges forwards and strikes as hard as she can at the diminutive demon.
Siobhan simply nods at her sister, hands off her shield and sets to work. Gauntlets are a pain for a lot of things, but they do make basic manual labour a lot easier. Working with Vy again is kinda nice she admits. There's a little of the old sense of purpose, the easy camaraderie that they'd always had. She pulled out a big rock and Vy was there to take it. When a beam shifted she braced and Vy pulled. It didn't need words, they just did. It was nice. If there hadn't been a 'fire demon' on the other side it might have been companionable. If Viv hadn't been watching it might have been intimate. If there weren't three wasted years between them it might have been... It was nice.
"Girls, you do a detailed examination of the wand later." Siobhan says, masterfully keeping a straight face. The 'fire monster' makes her frown though. "Well that doesn't sound good. Stay behind me when we get in there." She gestures for the ghoul to leave and then settles down for a few minutes quiet prayer before standing once more. "Right, we'd best deal with this now, just in case."
"Helmy?" Von asks, gesturing for the goblin to step forward. She's already bitten back a comment about 'the right kind of wand' - her sister probably wouldn't get the joke and Vy... might not either. Jokes are no fun when you're the only one laughing. Rebeckah would have laughed but Von has sworn not to think about that any more - it isn't worth the pain. So instead she gets a sensible folded sack out and starts packing Nualia's remains away inside it as respectfully as she can.
The symbols look vaguely familiar but she isn't overly interested in the details of goblin religious practise.
"We are looking for a body which has disappeared." Siobhan says calmly. The fact that this goblin speaks common is helpful. Helmy is a good friend but he has... odd ideas about the right thing to say sometimes. "A tunnel beneath her grave led us here. Can you help us?" Her goddess teaches that undead are an abomination, but a chance for redemption must be offered first. So she offers it, and waits in case Sarenrae's cleansing fire is needed instead.
Von meanwhile does no tracking beyond making sure that she doesn't teed on any obvious foot prints. Her role in the group is to lead the way and watch for foes. Those smarter than her can deal with the tracking and other details. So she leads the way with shield ready and softly glowing scimitar throwing odd shadows down the passageway ahead.
Von walks on, trying hard to keep her hurt from showing. Once upon a time she and Vy were inseperable. One girls trouble was the others and they dealt with them together. But now Vy doesn't want that, doesn't want her, anymore. That's life. We all grow up, and things change. She tells herself, Even if I wish they didn't. And then there's Viv, waiting with the familiar bouncing awkwardness that always made Siobhan smile. "Well I'd best be going." Von says, recognising a third wheel when she sees one. "I should check my old armour still fits." of course it does, she hasn't grown an inch since she was fourteen but Vy doesn't want her here and Viv definitely doesn't so Von gets out of the way. It's the right thing to do.
"Oh Vy." Siobhan says softly and the half-elf finds herself wrapped in a second set of arms, warm ones which pin her to the spot and prevent any further thoughts of escape. Von holds on for a minute or so before letting her grip loosen. "I wrote to you too. Although you never got it. I found it when I got home but it said, I said, you need to let others help you Vy. We aren't all Dany and his little band of bigots. We can help. I can help. You just have to tell me how." Von starts walking again, grabbing one of Vys hands but otherwise letting her taller friend set the pace. Vy always thinks better on the move.
"Hey Vy," Siobhan says, finishing up a quiet conversation with Father Zanthus as Viviana heads outside. "It's... good to see you again." Without conscious thought the pair turn right from the cathedral and head for the cliffs, where they walked and played so often in past years. "I'm sorry about your mother." Siobhan says softly as they're each the base of the Old Light and the wind threatens to whip her words away. "I - no. I'm sorry for not being there. For you. I'm sorry I left you on your own to face... everything. I would have come Vy, you know I would? Right? Id never want to leave you to face something like that alone." Tears roll down her cheeks as she stares out intot he Gulf, eyes narrowed against the wind. "I know you had Viv and Father Zanthus and everyone but I wish I'd been there. I should have been there. I'm sorry Vy, truly sorry."
"You've done much better than him." Siobhan says immediately, seeing a pulsing vein of insecurity in her adoptive father. "Father Ezakien may have failed Nualia but you've raised at least one well adjusted daughter." She nods to Viv on the other side of the table with a teasing smile. "And one butterfly." Teasing aside Nualia's story is a sad one - the aasimar had been a cautionary tale in Siobhan's childhood often enough that she didn't need her father's retelling but it struck a chord none-the-less. "I agree." She says firmly. "Nualia's deeds were heinous, but she was driven to them as surely as any horse before a cart. Sarenrae teaches that we must offer forgiveness where we can and I'd like to do that - for her and for Sandpoint." She looks at her companions, and then to her father. "We can be better than them. Be the example that they should have been."
"Hey Viv." Von says, swinging her sister around in a circle just like they always did. It's an almost indescribable relief to her that her sister is just the same as she was. Then she pretends to absolutely not hear her sister let out a moan as she hugs Vyana, turning to the Father instead. "You have something to say Father?" She says, trying not to let her eyes slide sideways to Vyana. "What's happened?"
"Sorry Father, I was at Vy's house trying to find he..." Siobhan has been back in Sandpoint for all of two, or perhaps three days. Having been released from her duties in Korvosa, thanks to the new wave of Blood Veil finally being brought under control, Siobhan journeyed through day and night - eventually arriving at Sandpoint late enough that a town with walls would have barred her entrance. She made her way to the Cathedral, gave her adoptive father an exhausted hug and slept for almost twenty hours straight. Between food, sleep and catching up with her father Von hasn't been around town much. Zanthus broke the news of Vari's death gently and Siobhan had immediately headed for Vari's, now Vyana's, house only to find that her best friend wasn't there. Since the town is a small one she's been going back two or three times every day. Then here she is. And Viv too. Siobhan's jog comes to a abrupt halt as she looks back and forth. The tension is palpable and her awkwardness is written plainly on her face for everyone to see. So the champion does the only sensible thing available to her. "Hi Helmy... Hey, no one ever said Champions were smart.
Just after the Glassworks:
Right after the glassworks incident, Viviana is noticeably shaken. Normally she bounces right back and doesn't get down about things, but something is different this time.
Seeking guidance and wanting to confide in her sister, she makes her way to Von. Once together, she opens up immediately and begins to sob. When she's done, with a vulnerability that came from staring into the abyss, Viviana opens her heart to Siobhan. "I... I came so close, Von. Too close." she began, her voice barely above a whisper, trembling with the weight of her revelation. "I realized then—I'm not ready to leave this world. There's so much more I want to see, to do. Life is precious, and every moment is a gift I want to cherish." Tears, unbidden, welled in her eyes as she reached for Siobhan, seeking the comfort that only a sister's embrace could provide. "I love you, Von. More than words can say. You've been my protector, my guiding light. I don't know what I'd do without you." She leans her full weight on her sister, feeling vulnerable and wanting to be protected. It's an odd moment for Siobhan. She's comforted her sister many a time, but always as the older, bigger sister. Now Viv is easily a head taller than her and so things just don't line up like they used to. Her little sister is also heavier than she used to be, but fortunately Von is stronger too and wraps Viv in a hug just like the old days. "There, there Viv." She says gently. "It's ok. You're safe, we're all safe. It was scary but we survived and we were able to bring peace to Lonjiku. That's a worthy thing. You were right, to try and talk him down. Everyone deserves a chance but it takes a brave soul to give it to them. I'm proud of you." There's a short pause and then Von grins, although her sister can't see it. "Love you too Viv. Almost as much as you love Vy..." Viviana's head rests on Von's chest, her body slightly curled up as she lays against the muscular woman. She idly starts to curl her finger around some stray hair strands in front of her face as she ponders what Von just said. She hesitates. "Von. How come Vyana doesn't tell me she loves me like you do? How come she doesn't hold me like this, like you do? Do you think she is interested in someone not like me... Like.." She spits out with a groan "Like Danny Barret. Gag." She twirls her hair some more and shakes her head after false-gagging sounds. "Von, when you hold me, it's like there's this... melody playing inside me, a song made of light and shadow, weaving through my heart." Vivi begins, her voice tinged with wonder and confusion, her mind obviously still full of emotions. "It's as if every moment is both brighter and more daunting because you're in it. You stir the calm waters of my soul, creating ripples that reach into the deepest, most hidden parts of me." She tilts her head up and looks at Von, asking curiously "Does that make sense?" "When did my little sister become a poet?" Von replies, looking down at her sister with a smile. "As for Vy... well she's not our sister is she? She's her own person with her own feelings. She probably doesn't love you like I do, but why would she? We're sisters, family. She's my best friend and your crush - do you really want her to treat you like I do? I'm not going to be kissing you any time soon and some of your letters made it quite clear you want that with her." She flicks Viv on the nose gently. "You have to stop worrying little sis. You're beautiful, inside and out. Anyone who can't see that is blind and Vy is the smartest person I know. You two will sort things out - as long as you don't tell her about me giving the hidden parts of you ripples!" Viviana laughs and scrunches up her nose when its flicked "Ow." she says in mock protest before sitting up in her sister's lap. "Oh. Yes. I've been writing. Vy has gotten me some books about poetry and I've been trying my hand at it." Always the hobbyist, Viviana tries her hand at everything. "Ok. Ok. She'll love me or she won't, it won't stop me on my path. Enough about Vy. Now.." She raises her eyebrows twice quickly and smirks, "You tell me about your crush! Hmmm? Is it some sweaty, muscle-bound sergeant on the battlements in Magnimar?" "And I'd want sweaty because...?" Siobhan replies, feigning shock. "Only one boyfriend. His name was Jack. We... broke up a few months back. He got a job with one of the caravans and left Magnimar. He'll be back in a year but that's... well..." Viv can see easily enough that her sister is struggling somewhat, or perhaps deliberately glossing over things. "We both decided that we were going to move on. So no crush, sorry to spoil your hopes." "Because you are always sweaty! I figured you'd be licking salt of your love!" Viv laughs, joking but only just. "Jack" she repeats dreamily several times, drawing a picture of this man in her mind. She wonders if she'll ever meet him. "Maybe you'll take me to Magnimar one day? What's the big city like?" Fate moves in mysterious ways and even the wisest and most powerful of sages cannot predict exactly why or how things proceed. It would take a divine intellect or more to untangle that tangled web and so no-one realises the consequences when Viviana leaves Sandpoint in her grief and so misses, by no more than a few hours, a letter from her sister. If she'd read it a lot of hurts might have been mended. A lot of pain might have been salved but Fate decreed otherwise and the letter sits, unread, with a pile of others in Viviana's simple room near the temple. Lost in the Mail: Hi Viv, I'm so sorry I haven't answered your letters. I'm in Korvosa, along with most of the temple. There's been another outbreak of Blood Veil. The Queen Consort was nearly assassinated and Queen Nicoletta has called for all the churches support.
I'm sure you've been writing and I feel horrible about the silence. It's been... mad here. There's so many ill people and there's never any time. Look after yourself, stay strong and keep your loved ones close - we never know how much time we have. Your sister.
P.S. Can you pass this letter onto Vy, and tell Father that I love him? Hopefully once this is all over I'll be able to come back to Sandpoint for good. Miss you!
Spoiler: Dear Vy,
I'm sorry I haven't written. There's an emergency in Korvosa and the church has dispatched most of us to go and help. If you've sent any letters I haven't had them so this is to let you know I'm alive, well and thinking of you. You and your mom are in my prayers every night. I hope she's doing ok and I hope you're doing ok too. Don't run yourself ragged Vy. I know you'll want to make everything better for everyone - you always do, but it's ok to ask other people for help too. I'm sorry I can't be there for you right now but I'll be home as soon as I can be and it should be for good too. How are you and Viv doing? You know she has a massive crush on you right? If she hasn't serenaded you, or done a romantic picnic or something by this point then I'm shocked. You'll be good together, if you want to be. Anyway, I love you lots and give my love to your mom as well.
"They want us to what?" Nineteen year old Siobhan asks her best friend. "The old glassworks? But they're been haunted... forever, right? Who in the Dawnflower's name?" As the situation is explained she sighs and drinks deeply from Bethana's ale. "Well when they put it that way it makes sense. If Father isn't up for it Viv probably is the best person and there's no way we're letting her go alone." Von hasn't grown more than an inch in the past three years. Her form has filled out, now resplendent with strong muscle and the occasional womanly curve but her height hasn't changed in the slightest and almost all her old friends apart from Helmy now tower over her. Still, and despite all the time she's been away they still look to her for leadership, even when she's supposed to only be staying overnight on the way back to the Temple of Sarenrae in Magnimar. "Well ok. But I'm only doing this because you're my best friend and no-one should have to take Viv into somewhere like that without backup. Can she use the glaive without dropping it yet?" The question is facetious and they both know it. Viv hasn't dropped the glaive in practise for at least a year and the last time the sisters spared she landed a full hit on her big sister - Von hadn't been using her shield but still... "Missed you Vy." Siobhan says, nudging her friend in the side as the pair leave the Rusty Dragon. "How's your mom doing? Has she got over the cold yet? I managed to find some of the tea she liked. We can drop it off on the way to the glassworks."
"getaroom! Uh-huh, uh-hum." Von clears her throat noisily and then glares at Vy with a mock stern look. "Are you quite done distracting my student or are we done for the day?" She walks over and pulls her sister and her best friend into a hug. "I'm happy for you both." She adds. "Try not to have too much fun when I have to go back to Magnimar!"
Siobhan watches her little sister with a smile that speaks of years of tolerance and cleaning up Viv's enthusiasms. "It's gorgeous." She says genuinely. "Now put it down and take this." She slips back inside for a moment and returns with a broom. "We're going to practise until you can do everything with the broom. Then you can use an actual blade." Three hours later Viv finds that fighting is a lot more boring and repetitive than she ever thought as Von calmly steps forward and brings her own broom down in a measured arc. "And go!" Her big sister says, returning to her starting position with a twirl of her make-shift weapon. "Don't whine Viv. Weapon training is boring. Do you know when I first got to use a real sword? A year ago. Everything before then was wooden practise blades weighted with lead. Years of wooden blades! I've had bruises everywhere. Now, remember your grip, its got to be gentle, but firm. Like you're holding onto a boy's member - you want him to feel it but don't squeeze so tight you hurt him. Better. Now, again." The champion seems unaware that her simile might be at all untoward and repeats the series of drills she's been demonstrating. "Come on, together. See if you can keep up with me."
"That was extremely irresponsible of you." Father Zanthus says sternly. "I expected better from all of you, especially you Siobhan. You were sent to Magnimar to be trained as a member of the church, not to become an adventurer! And then to lead your sister into danger too! Thank the Gods that the Prismatic Ray watched over you." Siobhan, now clad in an ill-fitting but still impressive suit of armor, whether the storm of his father's disapproval - nodding solemnly and looking suitably chastised. "You're right Father, I was impulsive and acted without thinking. It was foolish of me. In future I promise to be a better sister and leader." She nods and then looks up at her father with a half smile. "We did defeat a ghoul though Father. We might have saved the town in fact... and Viv was wonderful. It summoned some skeletons and she laid them to rest at once. We couldn't have done it without her. Perhaps its time to give her some more responsibility. She's quite capable now." Von emerges a few minutes later, without the armor, to find her friends waiting outside. "He was a bit upset." She says with a grin. "But I reminded him that we did save the town and he calmed down. Sheriff Hemlock posted an official bounty so we'll get a good bit of coin soon too. Drinks are on me!" When Danny Barett and a couple of his friend turned goons approach Siobhan looks in his direction and neighs loudly. The sound is enough to stop the young tough in his tracks and Siobhan continues right past him without a second glance. Maturity - it comes to girls quicker than boys. Or maybe Danny is just looking at her arse. Could be either.
"Hey Viv!" Siobhan exclaims as her younger sister leaps on her. Stronger and in better shape than she's ever been Von sweeps her sister up without effort and the pair twirl around, laughing delightedly. "I guess I can't call you little sis anymore." The older, and now shorter, girl says, planting her sister on the floor and looking (just a little) up to her. "Please don't grow too much more!" Vyana is by no means immune and gets swept off her feet in turn by her best friend, who whirls her around and then gives her a crushing hug. "Missed you best friend." Von whispers, although Vy has always been taller than her so leaning up for that is perfectly normal. As the festival continues and Von splashes out for meat skewers and then sweet desserts for everyone, and amid the continued chatter and updates on everyone (mostly Siobhan's) love life the girls reunite with Helmut and Von's eyes glimmer with a familiar sparkle of excitement. "I overhead Father speaking to Sheriff Hemlock when I got back." She confides, as the swallowtails are released overhead to the ooh's and aah's of the crowd. "There have been reports of a necromancer out beyond Sandpoint. I bet you could track them down Vy! Then we could arrest them and be heroes for the town! I bet there's a big reward and Father would be really proud." The prospect of them not finding the necromancer, or not being able to arrest them never seems to cross her mind. Siobhan has changed, grown in both strength and confidence, but her unwavering optimism hasn't dimmed a bit. Of course things will go well - she's home, with her sister and her best friend. How could they not?
Letter to a Friend:
Hey Vy,
I miss you. Magnimar is big and noisy and busy but it's not the same without you here. There's loads of old ruins and lots of wizards and people around and they're always talking about 'Runelord This' or 'lost wonder of magic That'. I bet you'd understand it all, then you could explain it properly and I'd get it too. Is Viv ok? She hasn't done anything really stupid has she? I know Father said that she'd stay out of trouble now she's older but she's sneaky and he's too nice. Can you look after her? Make sure she doesn't get in any trouble while I'm away? If Danny Barrett comes after her make sure he knows I'll be back for the festival. Gonna bring the best festival presents this year! I've been making some money cleaning up the temple so I've bought you all your own gifts! I'm excited! Anyway, miss you. Don't let the boys be mean to you and if they are, See you soon!
P.S. Give this to Viv please? Note to a Sister: Hi Viv.
Hope you're doing well. Remember to study hard, make Father happy and practise how to sing. Stomach. Instep. Nose. Groin. Then the boys will leave you alone. If you can come to Magnimar some time we can go to the market together. There's lots of stalls you'll like and some really good food too. Say hello to Father and Mr Vosk for me. I'll be home for the festival. Be good and don't get in any trouble until I get back. Von.
"You're a genuis Vy!" Siobhan declares, grabbing her best friend in a hug. The whole scene would have been touching - if she wasn't wearing a taxidermied horse head over her own. When Danny's friends arrived for their 'meeting' they promptly turned tail and ran, screaming that "The knife ear's getting eaten! The knife ear's getting eaten!" It was hard to say if they were delighted or terrified, but Goodwife Tallow, whose husband owed his life to Shalelu Androsana some twenty years before heard them and after a vigorous application of her switch they were screaming for a whole different reason. That day might just have been the friends best day EVER!
"... Or are you too chicken?" Little boys are not known for their maturity and when Danny Barret found himself knocked into the mud by a girl he scrambled to reclaim his dignity in the only way he could - boasting. "We've been in there." He said, gesturing to his three friends (whose friendship hadn't extended to helping him in the brief scuffle). "But I bet you wouldn't. It's too scary for girls. You'd probably see a spider and scream, or get dust on your dresses and run home to mummy. Oh wait..." The cheap shot landed and Danny got a moments satisfaction before an angry blonde cannoned into him and planted him firmly in the mud once more. "I am not chicken." Siobhan declared, uncaring of the mud staining her skirt and she knelt astride Danny and glowered. "We'll go into the Valdemar house and we'll stay the night. Then you're going to apologise to Viv and Vy. Or I'll tell everyone how a girl beat you up and then you pissed yourself." "But I..." As Siobhan clambered up she kicked the puddle and splattered Danny's britches with muddy water. "Then why are you trousers wet?" She asked with a grin before turning her back and skipping back to her sister and her dark haired best friend. "Come on! We need to get provisions for tonight! Maybe Helm would like to come?" |
