Research and Reassurances

Emblem of Ea - Sunday, September 19, 2021, 9:43 PM

Brae, trying to break her known patterns, is in the Library, where some would never place her. While here, she's multitasking on researching about demons, as well as battles of potential historical import/tactical insight, and brushing up on some of her siege engineering, taking copious, if somewhat chaotic notes. Seyardu arrives amidst research of her own and is surprised by the Korite's presence. As they talk about Cryosanthia's progress, Brae shares treatment insights that may not currently be considered; amputation of the corrupted limbs, with a magical regeneration after, once the mana poisoning has been purged. She confesses that there had been a time past when Brae had hesitated to act on this, admittedly, extreme option, and her sister suffered for it under the omniscient eye of the Endless Winter. It isn't a suggestion she makes lightly, but her experiences as a mercenary soldier, not often afforded the luxyry of magical healing, tell her that it needs to at least be looked, as much as she wants there to be another way. Seyardu considers what has been put before her, though the situation, with the addition of many more of recent occurance, are weighing mightily upon her. There are hugs, and they agree to reconvene at another private spot Brae isn't likely to frequent, where they can have a more fulfilling conversation, ideally without compromising things tactically.

-=--=--=--=--=--=--<* A14: Quill's Repose, City Library *>=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

         A large hallway, circular in design, is what lies beyond the large doors that let visitors in to the public library. Two guards stand in these doors at all times, employees of the city Watch, hired by the library for protection and to prevent theft of books. The head librarian is more of the same--a retired Watch member, herself: Lady Octagna is a great oruch whose lined face bears with it, as well, the scars of old battle. These days, she battles over books and the impudence of Society, Engineering, and Temple students alike, who spend long hours toiling within the Library's walls and basement.
   
         A sign above proclaims the loan of books to be illegal, and that books may not travel further than the doors. Loud noises are hushed by the Lady Octagna, whose grand stature is said to be second to none. Her movements are rarely heard, though they are often seen, marking her quite agile in her elderly age. Rumors, too, place her as a curmudgeon'd ally of Madame Gelfure, the two of them going back years, with a tradition of lunches or the occasional breakfast.
   
         The hall has marble floors, and two staircases lead upwards, one to the left and another to the right. Bright blue carpets cover the steps to lend to the quiet atmosphere of the great library. Straight ahead of the entryway, a tall archway leads into the main library, with study tables between rows and rows of books. The upper levels contain the city records to the left, and the right is a closed off area for library staff.

         The symbols of Navos, the Scribe, may be seen in the markings of columns, in the relief of marble. Marble is the prevalent building material, giving the rooms a regal, official and solemn feeling. A few benches line the walls of the circular hall, and a desk sits to the right of the entrance, a secretary always attending it to help guests, even late into the night. The occasional Seer or Temperance may also be seen, offering advisement and wisdom within the great halls.

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Braelnoir       A tall, pale Acanian woman, branded in silver.        0s   44m
Seyardu         A friendly silver sith-makar with a perpetual squint. 3m   6h

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Out <O>

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It's mot a place most associate with the mercury tressed mercenary, Braelnoir.

A place of learning.

Of philosphy.

Of history.

Including such topics as demon hunting, and military history.

Oh...

On maybe her third or sixth cup of coffee, with an array of leather and brass bound tomes spread around her at a table, and scattered with copious scribblings and notes sprinkled over them like a dusted cake, the Korite has an intent, studious look on her eye. Few of the staff venture anyway near her and that ominous scythe she's got propped against the table beside her, while a quill waggles between her fingers off to one side.

The library was the most well stocked of any public one, and so where many came when they had a need for information on a variety of topics. So it was where Seyardu found herself in some of her free time, with a few books in her arms. Her path took her near to where Braelnoir was, and she was distracted enough to end up near to where she was righting.

The silver sith-makar sniffs, looks over to the desk, and freezes. "Peace on your nest, Braelnoir." She greets quietly, already beginning on her way past.

There's a short, bitter bark of laughter at that, and she brings her spike shod hand up to massage her temples, "Sure, luv, sure." she replies quietly.

With a roll of her neck, accompanied by several tiny pops, Brae sighs and turns a wan smile the silverscale's way, "How ya doin, Sey..." she asks in something more like her normal tone, then... a hesitation, and, "How's she doin'....?"

There is a jagged split in the lobe of the Korite's left ear, scabbed over in dried blood from her promise to Cryosanthia.

Seyardu looks back at the laugh, and what she says, and she hangs her head, staying where she was. "I am alright." She admits quietly and none to convincingly. "Cryosanthia is healing, Nethercite is being used to dissipate the excess magic, but it is a slow process. But something more is going to be needed, as her tail and wing must be healed before they get worse, which will likely require anti magic spells beforehand."

Braelnoir hmmmm's and straightens in her seat, setting the quill in the inkwell before she stands to roll her shoulders in turns, "Any o'the structural changes easin' back ta normal?" is the first thing she says before setting her hands at the small of her spine and arching back to work out the kinks.

There is a moment or two, perhaps waiting for the answer to her question, but, she suddenly holds up her hand Seyardu's way and fixes her with a gaze coazed neutral, "Thanks fer... th'other night... an' doin' whatcha can for'er."

"Not that I have seen." Seyardu sighs, keeping her head bowed. "She still appears much heavier and muscular than before. But her wing and tail, their condition has not improved."

She lingers on the comment, and sees the outstretched hand. Her head tilts slightly, and she holds her books in one hand to take the one offered. "I did not do anything." She says with a shake of her head.

"Butcha were there. Ya tried." Brae replies softly, giving the clasping hand a squeeze, then turns to her reasearch, a bizarre mishmash of maps, combat engineering and demon lore.

She takes up her coffee cup and drains it, before she looks back to Seyardu, "Expected nethercite ta do fer'er outright, less they just ain't usin' enough."

She closes a couple of the engineering books and stacks them to clear a spot, it seems, then starts to gather her errant notes, asiding, "When I got turned by Kae's mojo-tech, there's a prison under the Arcanist's Guild, while I's in there, it turned me back ta normal, without triggerin'g a dispell reaction."

She massages the bridge of her nose with the tips of her exposed fingers, then, "Yer trained ta tend wounded folk, right? Whatta ya do fer folk if'n yer outta magic?"

"And me being there did not seem to do much." Seyardu sighs and shakes her head. "I did so little for Cryosanthia, for you."

She falls silent to take a look at the paperrs and books. "The nethercite is working, but slowly. The only problem is that the wing and tail are not healing, and are almost dead. They risk infection or worse if not treated. They need magic to be fixed. Perhaps taking her there would get rid of whatever is plaguing her wing and tail, but they need to be healed. If there was no magic, I would have to remove part of her tail, and likely the entire wing."

There's a shake of a silver tressed head and Braelnoir replies, "War's taught me anything, it's some shit gets way past a quick fix." she replies, then reaches out to clap the SIth's arm, "An' even victory can suck."

She takes in the longer explanation and nods, before she replies, "It may come t'that. I've considered it, before."

Whilst still organizing her research sources, the continues without looking, "There ain't always a pleth'ra o'priests around ta do fer us common mercs after a battle, not all of us. Smaller bands may get lucked ta have a priest with a few spells, but lots'v em gotta fall back on a few sawbones', an' whoever they can tap ta hold folk down. Known a lotta folks come up light after a scrap, even when we won. But it's that'r die. Bein' there's no shortage o'high mojo casters about, should be someone as can regrow a limb. Hell, we know at least one guy'can raise from from th'dead."

"I do not know if that would work on her wing, I know so little about how they work, for regeneration purposes." Seyardu sighs. "It is why I am so hesitant to commit to any treatment. I am not seeking a quick fix, but whatever course is chosen needs to be done sooner, rather than later."

After, she sighs again. "I know, I spent a few years traveling, with what little magic I had to other villages, helping out since so many had little in the way of healers. The shaman caste is not as large as others. And the jungles lead to many injuries."

Braelnoir sighs, "Elly might know, but...." she murmurs, before shaking her head.

No, she's not that experienced in druidry, it's probably beyond her expertise.

There's a nod, "Cryo said shit plays rough out thattaway." she concedes, turning to the silverscale, "Zeke's a bigtime priest, but treatin' Cryosanthia is personal. Personal t'the bone. He may not b'willing ta consider it fer the pain, but if nothin' else, ya could'least ask some o'yer clergy if't can be done. Will regen work on tails an' wings?"

She smiles ruefully, "I don't want m'sister runnin' light'rest of her life, don't take that's my meanin'." the Korite insists, but, "Goin' in without considerin' everythin' ain't much different'n going in blind. Ya follow?"

"Tails will grow back, but I have never known any Makari with wings." Seyardu notes, still holding onto the hand. Only after another minute when it trembled slightly did she look over and let go, the arm falling back to her side. "Of course it is, I have been staying at the temple so they will actually go to sleep. I just would not wish any harm on Cryosanthia, but I cannot think of a way without pain due to her magic oversaturation. Thank you for the suggestion of the arcane dungeon, though."

"She was growin' them wings before this... dragon thing happened." Brae notes, then sags a bit, "But... I ain't got a lotta knowhow on this big mojo..."

Her arms fold loosely a moment, eyes faraway, then, they close, "I... almost took'r arm, once..." she confesses softly, a pursing of her lips, the shift of jaw and softskin tongue, perhaps trying to get rid of the taste of the words she'd just spoken.

"Yes, she was, I just do not know if they are considered a natural state, or not. That is my concern." Seyardu admits sadly. "I know so little, I am struggling to think what to do, how to help."

At the admition, she looks up, and blinks. "You almost cut off her arm?" She asks slowly. "I am glad you did not. But I do not think you would do so for no reason."

An acidic, "Always maim fam'ly fer kicks, yanno?" is the Korites immediate, somewhat reflexive response. She she shakes her head and palms her face again, "Shhhhhhit.... I'm sorry, I'm..." a sigh, then the woman's amber eyes turn toward the silverscale's face.

"While back... this fuckin' Mouser, some... fae queen. Eternal Winter'r someshit... took Cryo fer a pet."

Her eyes half lower, "Done'r dirty.... she's yer age when we met. Fuckin' Mouser cut on'er... a nip here, a tuck there... put'er back tagether how she wanted'er."

A glance to the pebbled silver of her shoulder, "Branded'r hand... like someone done me, once, but worse... it let that Queen watch Cryo any ol'time she wanted. Would sic her other pets on'r now an' then..."

Another shake of her head, and she unconsciously shows the Maraki her back, an absent step opening distance as she continues, "'magine a godlike sadistic Gods'damned mouser's watcher yer every move fer giggles... an' ya spend every day afraid ta be near folk. Afraid ta risk callin' down wholescale death on folk around ya... a claim on ya...."

Her voice deepens to a subtle rumble as an almost draconic reek of fury fills the air around the human(?), and tiny silver flecks wash in unsteady ripples along her exposed skin, "Like yer property... an' a targettin' focus. Imagine watchin' that... Imagine that's yer sister... an there ain' no one even thinkin' o'doin anything for'er...."

Sure enough, Seyardu's normally squinting eyes were wide in shock when Braelnoir looked back to her, with a scent she may have known related to sadness. She took a step back, and sighed.

She listens, her head hanging again, to the story. "The Queen of Endless Winter. I have met her before, apparently after they gained their senses. Not enough senses to know an apology was wanted." They say, before they fall silent again. "She told me a bit of what happened, about how she was worried about that. Thinking what that is like, it must have been horrible."

And then, she sighs, her gaze going as low as she could manage. "I, I had a brother, at one point, I believe I have told you. If it was them, I, I would do whatever I could to help them. I understand your anger and concern."

"I hesitated... an' she suffered more..." Brae says softly, her head turning sightly to one side, but the human doesn't quite twist enough to look back to the silverscale.

There's a sigh, and another shake of ehr head before she finally does turn, her emotions back until what passes for lock and key, "I... think you do, yeah..." she returns with a solemn smile, "An' I'm.... sorry ya do."

"You did what you could, Braelnoir." She says in response, barely raising her head. "That is a decision that anyone would struggle with."

When she turns back, the silverscale was still downcast, but she could pick up the movement, and nods. "I think it is true that I have one, yes. Or had one. There is no changing the fact, so, the apology is unnecessary, for myself."

"A.... human thing, luv." Brae replies with a little shrug, "It's sorta... like a short way ta say, 'I feel bad that happened, an' I wish it'd been better for you, an' I know how ya feel'."

Eloquent.

She lifts a hand to worry at the back of her neck a spell, then, "I'm... sorry I's a li'l rough with ya'n the Temple. Weren't in a good place, but that wasn't you, an'... I'm sorry ya got any piece o'that."

"I see. That makes sense." Seyardu replies to the explanation, looking up more, and nodding. With the apology, the silver makari sighs, and shakes her head.

"It is, alright, Braelnoir. It was my fault for not realizing this. I should have given you more space, and understood that. I just, I was worried, Braelnoir."

Braelnoir takes a slow breath, then, "There ain't no way yer gonna know someone ya just met's every reaction, 'specially... a day like that." she says softly.

A hand rises to brush back trough her hair on the left, prompting a wince as she bmps that ear, then, "I apreciate th'though... even if I weren't in the right mind to in the moment, luv. An' Brae works too."

"I, do not think anyone was prepared for a day such as that. But you were so kind to me times when I needed it, and I wanted to be there for you, and for Cryosanthia." She replies, blinking a few times and taking a minute to collect herself. The wince makes Seyardu pause and she looks at the ear in question again. "Your ear is torn, Braelnoir, or, Brae?" She half asks, half notes. "Do you want me to treat that? I am sure I likely could, if you wished."

Braelnoir colors across the cheeks in that mammalian sort of way and clips off another wan smile, "Thanks, luv... but that's.... it ain't no nevermind." she shrugs.

There's a glance back to her piles of books and she scoots them over, "Here, ya been standin' there holdin' those, c'mon, sit a spell."

"You are, embarassed of your ear? It looks like it hurt you, and was bleeding I think." Seyardu asks, before she sits down and sits down with her books on the table, of Sith-Makar physiology, Tranmutation magic, and various other journals on healing. "No matter, if you are alright with me sitting down here, Brae, thank you."

"It's..." Brae starts, a bemused s-curved pressed into the seam of her lips, then, as she settles into her seat, "I didn't wanna draw'tention is all. It'll keep. I clean it, it's..."

Whatever is is takes a few seconds for her to choose her phrasing, then, "I gotta let it mend on it's own."

"Ah, you do not want to mention it. Another thing I cannot assist with, but I understand." Seyardu notes, and sighs. "It should not take long to heal at least unless there is some magic involved. But I am sorry, I will leave it be."

Scratching at the back of ehr neck again, Brae reaches out to try and gently pat her hand, "That's kind o'ya, luv... it is. An I appreciate it, it's just, ahhh..."

Ahem, how to explain....

"Taboo." <Draconic>

She settles back in her seat then explains, "Circumstances change... wouldn't be an issue."

The silver makari looks to her hand that was pat, and she does not pull it away, but she did not know what to make of it. When she changed languages, she tilts her head again.

"I, do not understand what you mean. What circumstances change, what is not an issue Brae? Apologies, but I do not know what to make of what you are saying."

Braelnoir wasn't always the best at 'coy'....

The silvermane nods to herself and looks Seyardu in the eyes, "I got a promise ta keep, first, luv. I cain't say n'more, I'm sorry."

She glances at her scythe to make sure it's still there (it's been an issue in the past) then of Seyardu, "So... whatcha lookin' for?"

"Yes, I understand." She nods back, avoiding meeting her eyes mostly. "I am, trying to learn what I can. I was, I was trying to learn what I could of Cryosanthia's situation before, to help with preparing for a nest." She explains, before she sighs.

"I do not even know now about that. But the same research, it is shifted to attempting to figure out what I can to help with her healing. But sicknesses like she, Seldan and others have had a barely documented at all, and finding someone who would even begin to match Cryosanthia is even more difficult."

Braelnoir She spends a few moments trying to square up her papers and her hands still at the talk of nestcraft.

There's a spike through the human's mind before she locks it back in it's place, thensighs and nods, pinching at the bridge of her nose again, "Yeah.... even what experience I got is a differen't source, entirely."

She looks to the silverscale again and, "How're you... doin' in all this, luv?"

The stillness was noted, But Seyardu did not push it. "Anything you can share, the information is valuable, Braelnoir, even if for comparisons sake." She offers quietly, looking at some of her books as the question was asked.

"I am not sure what you mean, Brae. doing in all of what?" She asks, mostly to stall and try to collect herself. From the pat on the hand earlier, she was still trembling enough to be felt.

Braelnoir arches an eyebrow, "This whole mess." she replies, setting the stack down, "With Cryo, an' me an... hell, everyone I suppose."

Now that she's got them squared, she starts going through the, eyes scanning the pages, pulling some out to set aside here, set others there.

Seyardu nods, and sighs. "Braelnoir, I am fighting against a fiend from hell who could kill me without a second thought, who sent dozens of my kin among others to the slave trading nations of charn for some likely horrifying reason, fed my own kin to others in an event at the colosseum." She begins to say, shaking her head. "One of my only friends lost her daughter I care so much about, and is hurt badly herself. And that is not even mentioning the ashwings that are still around, doing I do not know what, or the Thul worshipping kobolds and the witch queen they serve at a nearby lake, and the good village I know near them that were driven out, and some stupid captain at the gates wanted me and others to raze to the ground."

Finished, the silverscale coughs, and sighs. "I am sorry, that is all much. I am, I am not doing well, Brae."

Braelnoir nods, a certain knowing look in her eyes, an honest one; one that's seen things most wouldn't broach in the darker imaginings.

Talk of the daughter lost in her care tints that gaze for it's scourging, and as the immediate burn begins to abate, she answers "I unnerstand."

Her words are soft, and her eyes bore into the distances beyond, "Just remember y'ain't alone. It helps."

"This one, does not feel, not alone. Cryosanthia, she is the one needing support. Zeke is unable to sleep properly due to everything going on. And my other friend, Aryia, she has her own struggles." Seyardu replies, closing her eyes and sighing sadly. "This one feels alone, Brae. And everything feels like it brings me down further and further."

The warrior takes the rebuff in stride, barely twitching a shoulder in shrug before she starts to answer, "I's wonderin' where she gone off to." Then, "Ya got someone ta talk to."

Her hands busy themselves resquaring the three piles as she goes on, "Sometimes that's enough ta get yer head straight. Sometimes it ain't."

Clearly her motivational speeches don't trancend certain backgrounds.

"We're all feelin' this, all lookin' fer a way through."

"If I can talk to her. Maybe I can, but I do not wish to worry her. I have seen her overwhelmed on several occasions, and I would not leave Aryia with more." Seyardu says slowly, looking to Braelnoir, and hanging her head. "I am sorry, I know this is difficult on you as well. I do not know if you meant speaking to you in that case or not. But, I said it before, if you need someone to help and I can, or to talk to, I can put things aside, to listen and talk."

Braelnoir smiles that little smile and nods, before she rises to her feet and steps closer, "If ya need ta get stuff out, we'n do that, but that ain't a talk fer right here."

then, with a few moment's consideration, knowing in the past that the silverscale had been in dire need of a hug, stoops over and, mindful of her gauntlet's sharp edges, emfolds Seyardu in her arms and rests her cheek against her neck.

"You are right, not here. It has been so much that it just, it comes out with how overwhelmed I am. I am sorry, Brae." The silver sith makar replies with another bow of her head. When she looked up, the korite was closer, and she tilts her head. Only to find herself in a hug. She hesitates a moment, before she returns it gently. The silverscale was trembling all over, it was evident. Then, she sighs, relaxing some.

"Please, do not shove me away." She asks quietly.

Braelnoir closes her eyes, feeling the trembling in the sith and gives a gentle squeeze. Her hand rubs firmly along the silver scales, knowing from comsoling Cryosanthia that the tough Makari hide makes them less sensitive in the ways hers is.

She gives a gentle, "Gonna get through this, luv." trying to make her feel better.

She won't shove her away, but... there are parts of this path that no one else can walk.

They're not there, yet.

They have time.

Seyardu was no different, the firm hand was acknowledge with a low, rumbling sigh from the silver sith-makar. She held the korite back, with a hand running over her back, as gentle as possible, perhaps too much so.

"I want to believe you, Brae." She says quietly, as if the feeling would disappear into the air with the spoken words. "I want things to be better. You, you deserve that. And for me, it would be nice."

Holding the hug, the trembling dies down.

"Do you want to, talk, somewhere else then? I would like that, another time if need be." She asks.

Braelnoir learned a lot of things from Cryosanthia, Kaelyn and the boys; her family, scattered as they've become since Merkabah, and the days Brae had to be fast on her hooves.

She lets out a slow breath, some of her scents abating to as close to 'normal' levels as her muddled physioology allows.

The hug was meant for Seyardu's benefit... not hers.

But... she takes comfort from it in turn, regardless.

"If'n ya wanna get some'off yer chest, yeah. Gotta be a place I don't go, though." Her arms loosen and she draws back to look to Seyardu's face, "It'll make sense when this's all done. Got places yer comfortable?"

The hug was a benefit for Seyardu. It was sorely needed, and welcome, a reassurance after last time. She was in no rush to leave it, and she could hold a conversation just fine for the moment.

At the strange options of locations, Seyardu tilts her head slightly, silver scales brushing against the silvery hair. "There are, a few places. The river, the gardens, a few other places. I would, I would like to talk still."

Braelnoir considers them, then, "Mebbe the river. Had bad times out that way, not expected out there." she affirms. A slow sigh, then she gives a little cock of her head and her eyebrow perks, "Sound good?"

"The north is better for me, less bad memories." Seyardu suggests, but then she sighs. "But maybe that means the south would be better? This one, have you eaten recently? I could get some food for you, judging by the coffee, you have been here some time." She continues after a glance to the desk.

The silverscale sighs. "That does sound good though, Braelnoir. And, thank you. I was worried, I would not get to hug you again."

"Trail rations since th'fight." Brae replies with a shrug, then circles back to the rest, "Either should do, it's more ta avoid my hangout spots than yers."

There's another look to the books an', "We can get up outta here in a sec. Just gotta put all'is back."

There's some pause after that, and she sidelongs a question to Seyardu, "Ya sure I'm... worth th'carin', luv?"

The question made Seyardu pause to think about. But not for very long, as she gave the korite another squeeze, patting the back of her head before she pulls away with a smile.

"Of course I do, Brae." Is the followup after the answer of actions. "I will pick up some food to eat after we have taken these books back to avoid the ire of the librarian. And then, I will meet you there, Brae."

With that she takes her books back up, and a few of Braelnoir's which she knew the locations of.

Braelnoir seems slightly bewildered by that response, but only for a moment or two, then she nods, "A'ight, luv, sounds good, thank you."

She tucks her papers into some of her larger bandolier packs, then ventures into the aisles to set the books back where they belong.

In short order, the Korite is returning to her table to take up and shoulder her morbid killing tool to make for their rendeavous.

Seyardu was slow to return the books, but she had less, so it evened out with Braelnoir, and she returned to the table before the korite left. "The north riverbank, then." Seyardu says with another smile, and another hug, before she departs from the library to prepare.