Closed Are We Cursed? (Wrenmae)

[Ana Sol Starris]

Ana didn't need to be told twice to get away from the brute, but she didn't break out into a sprint like she had anticipated to do, instead she walked without throwing a glance behind herself. Her gaze, and destination was set on Wrenmae, paying no heed to the man behind her or his words. Perhaps it was from past events earlier in the season that had wisened her to not say anything, to not goad someone on when you were in a bad position. The then before seemed a life time away, a dream, as if its reality had been cast from the stone encasings into the abyssal Aperture itself. A reality she had undoubtedly helped destroy, with too many words, and a loosened tongue involved. It wasn't her fault though. None of it was, if only Zandelia hadn't reacted so terribly to her words, hadn't been the leader she should have been. Ana might have just kept the both of her former friends' magic secret from Wrenmae. That would be more so directed at Zandelia, but Ximal had a part in her divulgence of information as well, that scoundrel, that liar, an idiot beyond belief. He should have never brought her journal up, nor the letters, then maybe she would never have used the word 'Slave' against him... Out of what, controlled anger? He hadn't seen the worst of her rage and fury, but he wouldn't need sight to feel it. Ximal would pay for it, later, near or far into the future. It didn't matter to Ana. He thinks hes right, is whats the worst part.. That bastard slave actually believes in what he thinks, hes insane, delusional, completely off his rocker. At least have the courtesy to try and sound grateful you fool. His words continued, grating against her ears with his voice, the words themselves held more force than she wanted to admit. Corrupted? Deceitful? I hope Wrenmae does throw you off the bridge you stupid git, what have I done thats been corruptive or akin to slander? What have I done to you that was so terrible up until I used the word slave? You need to get your head out of the clouds you... you... petching foul smelling vag-... There was a smoldering flame in her eyes, teeth gritted, the hand which was not bandaged squeezed tightly around the cane, until it would begin to shake lightly at her side, ever so visibly with her shoulders. Ana wouldn't look back, she refused to, even when Wrenmae's hand had touched her shoulder and brought her anger consumed mind from the clutches of animosity and back to the current situation. Eyes would rise to meet the familliar, yet changed face of Wrenmae's, her appearence quickly relaxing as she felt safer being next to him. Of course she looked away, and forwards, listening to him call out to Ximal across the bridge.. Only when he ceased would she utter in a whisper "I would avoid close range combat at all costs.. If it does come to that.." Petch Ximal, she wouldn't even grace him with a reply. No matter how infuriating he was being in regards to loyalty, what did he know about that? Nothing. This wasn't the time to act on childish urges, and so she said nothing more.

[Ximal]

Xi folded his arms and let wren speak...Unsure of what exactly he was trying to prove. The slow cynical clap prior saying everything he needed to hear. Headstrong and self-righteous? Not a very shocking revelation Xi's learnt that one quite aptly himself. Continued to flaunt himself in a brazen manner ? In what way? And how exactly was he deluding himself? He had magic, he had an ability that was something super natural...However it wasn't what defined him it wasn't the thing that made him stand out. Xi could also see the anger in ana...Her own fault brought on by her continued allegiance and ignorance about the state of things...She was mad at him for something he hadn't done. She was mad at him for reading her journal when he both didn't and told her that it went missing. Was she more annoyed that he brought up her book, or about the fact he'd mentioned what she'd told him out of it. Still it baffled him that she was more concerned about him having read it, someone who was less likely to abuse it than the fact it had gone missing and any petcher under the sun could be reading it's content and plotting against her right now. He tried to tell her the truth and all it got him was scorn and resentment. And again wren blathered on about secrets and pitfalls of magic. Xi couldn't help but find it mildly ironic... "Who here is the one blathering on about magic to the entirety of nyka? And then claims that a "wizard" needs to keep secrets. I think you kind of put an arrow through your own foot there." Xi took a slow breath and a step forwards onto the creaking bridge the weight of his body making the old wood creak lightly. "And not to sound callous but how exactly do i know that you aren't just going to make it worse? That you aren't just going to make my mind more screwed than it already is ? And as far as my abilities are concerned. When did i ever ask to be a wizard? I'm not a wizard and i openly accept that. But just to be clear on this, my strength doesn't have to come from my magic. I've still yet to find a mage who can fight me on equal footing WITHOUT the use of magic. I've yet to find a warrior who can do the same." Xi took another slow step forwards, Ana could hate him...As fas he cared she had now completely obliterated any faith he had in her in regards to her reasoning, or her ability to see what the "truth" was...More to the point...Why was her hand bandaged? "If your going to get rid of this curse then do it. And my mind is calm..If it wasn't you'd know about it." He spoke the truth in regards to that much. His mind was at ease, at least now it was. He still wanted to speak out about something but he'd wait until that sodding curse was removed to do so. Running over what he should say in his mind if only briefly. "Oh and before i forget. Has your little pet munch-kin failed to tell you that she lost her precious book, with all the secrets she knows about you inside of it? Maybe that's alright with you. Well judging by the fact her hands bandaged i guess she must have already told you. Oh she hasn't what a shame." One this curse is gone I'm done saving her ass...She's earned my ire and earned my fair treatment. She's proven with this that she's nothing but a doormat for the world to walk over. The only reason i obey anyone is because i have no choice...She's always had a choice. And she's always chosen the easy route.

[Wrenmae]

Wrenmae chanced a glance left and right, then behind him.

Save for himself, Ana, and Ximal, they were alone.

"Yes," He said without tone, "All of Nyka. How observant you are." By now, he wasn't surprised with anything Ximal said. The man was a straight forward brute and little more. There was no philosophy in him, no driving cause. There was strength for the sake of strength, power for power. He claimed he wasn't a wizard and yet practiced morphing and flux.

In pure and simple terms, the man was a fool. Wren patted Ana once on the shoulder, more of sympathy than comfort.

Worse yet, what he had hoped to see in him he hadn't. Ana was correct. The man was of more use as a directed tool than any equal. Zan was ready, prepping the reimancy to immolate Ximal if he tried anything. The brute started down the bridge and Wrenmae let him approach.

"It's not that easy," he said, "Take a seat and let me take you into meditation. It is there I can correct the damage. If I was going to make your curse any worse, I'd simply use the curse to force you to obey...but I'm sure you'd thought of that. You're still free to walk away at any time. I won't apologize for cursing you, but I will take it from you if you cooperate. I don't care how well you can beat up other wizards, or how strong you think you are, or anything about you really. Personally, I'd like to get you out of my life and continue forward." He gathered hypnotic Djed and lanced Ximal's aura, bringing a calm to the brute, in preparation of the trance.

"You are a thoroughly disappointing man," he said dryly, "So much talent and so little potential."