Closed Falling Tears and Dark Paths (Ignotus)

[Leila]

Note: This thread is immediately following Leila's departure in this post of The Return Home II thread. Timestamp: Spring 87, 513 AV How could Leila be so stupid? Letting herself fall for a man she barely knew. She clutched her fliers closer to her chest, as she continued eastward, trying to escape the tears that wouldn't stop flowing. She didn't notice that it was getting darker, but she didn't really notice anything at this time. She was a fool, and her mother was right, and she hated that more than anything. Were working men really worse than a rich man? Did they really succumb to sins more easily and women were just another of those? Then she tripped on something, a loose stone, or her own feet, she wasn't sure. She fell forward with an exasperated cry, her fliers popping up in the air around her like a swarm of giant bees. She hit the ground hard, and just laid there sobbing. Could anything else possibly go wrong? She managed to pull herself to a sitting position, pulled her knees to her chest, and sat there amongst her mess, wallowing in self pity. Was she not good enough for him? Or was she the other woman, and he was just leading her on? How does one not mention a woman they got pregnant to another woman? It was wrong, just wrong. He'd made her feel so safe with him, like nothing could hurt her. But this hurt worse than anything he could protect her from. In a fit of dramatic rage, "I hate you Ricky!" was yelled through the street.

[Ignotus Everto]

Leila felt a faint wind upon her tear-stained cheeks some ticks after that. If she opened her eyes, she'd see a thin, low-hanging azure mist slowly sweeping her flyers together and blowing them in her direction.

"But why, my dear?" a low, sonorous voice coming from Leila's right inquired. "What has happened to bring you to such grief?"
The voice belonged to a certain Ignotus Everto, who had heard the poor girl's screaming, and had come like a crow to a corpse.

The Nuit's presence was comforting. Soothing, even. He cares, whispered her subconscious. He understands. He is trustworthy. He is your friend.

Ignotus knelt down, a concerned frown on his face and a hand on the merchant girl's shoulder. "What is wrong, child?"

[Leila]

After her shout subsided, and she regained her breath, and some of her composure. Slumped over, she shrugged her shoulders, took in a breath, wiped her eyes, then opened them, looking down at her lap. She heard a slight rustle of paper, and panicked, thinking they were about to blow away. But they weren't, they were coming towards her, with the aid of a... bluish fog. She rubbed her eyes, thinking the crying and stress had caused her to see things. Then she heard the soothing voice querying her. She quickly rubbed the last of her tears from her face, rubbing it until her skin turned red around her nose. And soon, there was a hand upon her shoulder, one that didn't cause her to startle, but actually relaxed her. He talked much like her father would when she was upset, she turned and looked and saw the pale, friendly face. Just like papa, she could talk to him, and he would actually listen, understand. Before she started, she tried to steel herself so that she wouldn't cry mid explanation. "It's just... everything. It's all too much, just too much," she picked up one of her fliers and handed it to him, "Do you know how stressful and scary it is to open a shop by yourself? After papa's attempt at the same thing failed? He can't help because of the memories, and mother won't talk to me ever since I moved out at the beginning of the year." She sniffled a bit and continued to just pour out the information, "And now that wicked woman is right about something. She's a terrible, despicable woman, and now thanks to Ricky, she's finally right about something. Men are all liars and cheats, unless they come from noble upbringing. I was stupid to go off on my own, to think I wouldn't be alone in the world without my parents, or the suitors she wanted for me. I... I just can't be alone anymore, but it might be for the best after all. At least no one could hurt me then, not mother, not papa, not Ricky."

[Ignotus Everto]

Cheaters and liars? Merchants, failed fathers, and salves?
"Oh, Ricky, you naughty, naughty boy... What have you been getting up to?"
This woman, Leila, by the look of her flier, was perfect. Removed the need for Hannah, really. A chain to yank the dog with, and if he should try to bite... A dagger to kill him with. A businesswoman as well... He could use this woman. Invest a bit of capital, now that he had his position secured. Access to medicine... The potential there. He could engineer panics, riots, bouts of public ecstasy, and all with a simple visit.

The Nuit pulled Leila to her feet, a gust of wind billowing up to assist her ascent. "And alone you won't be." a flush of euphoria. Not enough to truly transition into the feeling. A drop. Enough to leave a vague taste. "But you needn't sell yourself to some suitor... You need money, and a pillar to lean on when you are weary."
Yes, said the phantom in her mind. Yes.
What was once a drop became a trickle. Ignotus' emotional manipulation was beginning to shift from suggestion to compulsion.
"I've money to lend..."
He is your friend... Admire him. A stream.
"And I suppose I'm quite the pillar now..."
He is your confidant... Adore him. A flood.
"Let me help you..."
He is your savior...

[Leila]

The man stuck out a hand, which Leila gladly took. She found it quite cold, but it was chilly out tonight, so really not all that strange. As she stood up, her dress fluttered slightly from a breeze that seemed interested in helping her. And with his words, Leila truly felt less alone now. "I know I don't need a suitor, I've always hated the idea of one. Marriage should be about love, not money. My parents married for money, and they despise each other. If my shop is successful, I'll be able to pay back the loans from the Lord of Council in a couple of seasons, but its so daunting, what if it fail's like papa's? Then I would owe all that money, with no good means. Would they throw me in jail? Then I thought I had a pillar with Ricky. He seemed so upstanding, so strong, safe. He was my first kiss, the first man I felt I could give my heart to. But now, now it can't be. He's going to be the father of some woman he'd never even mentioned to me. And it would be wrong for me to continue anything with him, I can't break up a family." She took a deep breath after yet another long spew of words. A small moment to think of what she said. A moment to listen as he continued to speak. This man had money, which would be helpful. There were so many plans beyond plans, but each needed capital she didn't have yet. But this man was probably more trustworthy than the Lord of Council. He wouldn't put her in jail if her business failed. In fact, he'd probably help, to insure he didn't lose his investment. And that was the sign of a real friend, a true friend. One that wouldn't cheat on her, or lie to her, trustworthy. "We're friends right? Could you loan me some money to ensure the success of my business? I'd much rather be indebted to a friend than some people in a dusty room I've barely met. It would bring me much peace of mind. And I can trust you, you're not like those other men, a rock, solid, stable. You're a great listener, and I know I could tell you anything without fear. You're like a gift from the gods, sent here to help me. You're the best of men in this town, by far the best."