Closed Are We There Yet? (Aren, Isolde, Orin)

[Isolde Seibold]

She should have known that Orin would object, but she hadn't expected him to do so in such a vehement manner. His words, though shocking, also made her feel slightly better. He was her first true friend in Syliras --a friend that wasn't a seagull, anyways-- and he was proving it here and now by speaking on her behalf.

However, what little relief she felt soon melted away. Sayana seemed willing to handle things diplomatically, though she also didn't seem to know what Nuit even were, and Isolde panicked somewhat thinking that she would have to explain in front of everyone what she was... how she was exactly. Admitting the name of her race aloud had been hard enough. Now this?

But things got worse still. Out of the corner of her eye, the Nuit thought she saw a motion, and when she looked over Aren was reaching behind his back. Isolde's fear leapt within her, and Gretta seemed to sense the tenseness of the group, pawing the ground, then shifting her weight nervously as if she might suddenly bolt. Isolde kept her hands gripped tight to her reigns, and it struck her that this conversation was much like her horse: she wished to control it somehow but didn't have the knowledge or the means. All she could do was hold on, and hope her instincts lead her the right way.

It was difficult to stay cool, however, when Aren suddenly... well, she didn't know what it was, but he changed. One moment he seemed tense but composed. The next, he was insulting both Orin and Sayana. And then, just as suddenly, it was like he changed back, now directing his words at Isolde herself, though his voice was reasonable once more, the prior venom gone. Orin had said Aren was a magic-user, and both his and Sayana's reactions seemed to verify that information. So... so his odd behavior, coupled with his magic-use... could it be that he was not fully sane? She didn't know. Without meaning to she yanked harder on Gretta's reigns and the horse backed up, rearing slightly, her front legs giving a little hop. Isolde lurched in the saddle, grabbing the front part --saddle horn?-- and said, "Gretta, calm. Hush."

She herself had to calm down. Letting her fear overwhelm her seemed to be scaring Gretta, and she didn't know what she'd do --probably fall off or get trampled-- if the horse starting bucking. So she leaned forward again in the saddle, making sure her feet were strong in the stirrups, and patted the horse's neck, making a comforting clucking noise in her throat like she might have towards chickens. She had no idea if this was the right thing to do, but it seemed to be at least stopping the horse from getting any more upset, and that was the best she could do for now.

"I want to be clear that I did not try to hide a-anything," she said, in a low, smooth voice, one she didn't think Gretta would react badly to. "I just... I just am. I-I used to try to hide it, I used makeup, even; I don't anymore. But neither do I announce what I am. I let people see and decide for themselves, unless circumstance demand o-otherwise. A-As for not taking Sayana's hand... I'm sorry if that seemed rude or o-out of place. I've... I've learned not to get too close to people. Many don't accept my kind. Many hate Nuit. It's better for everyone if I just... just stay back." She took a deep breath, trying to stop her hands from shaking as they wanted to.

Before as she spoke, she had been looking up, at the group. Now she looked down. Recently Orin had helped her see that maybe she did have a life that was worth living. That she might be able to move on from her dark history, and past what she was. Still, she didn't want to speak of it. How she lived was disgusting to most, including to herself. She tried to keep her voice steady, but shame kept her from speaking too loudly. "Sayana, I... Nuit aren't living. L-like Aren said, we don't produce heat. W-We don't eat or sleep, don't even have to breathe. Our bodies a-are... they're dead. They're people. People we..." She broke off, struggling helplessly. She wanted to look over at Orin for support, but was too afraid that he might be repulsed by what she was saying. She didn't know what he knew about Nuit, just that he had known to be afraid when they'd first met.

She continued as best she could. "Nuit are made f-from a... a dark ritual. From then on our lives a-are lost, and there's n-no going back. W-We're parasites, preying on the d-dead, taking their bodies a-as our own. It's how we go on. I-If there was some other way..." She broke off again, shaking her head. "B-But there isn't. I'm sorry. I-I swear to you I don't mean any harm to anyone here, least of all you or your baby." Another deep breath. "I h-hate... I hate that because of what I am I have caused such strife in our group. I-If there was s-some way I could convince you, all of you, that I can be trusted," she looked over at Aren, afraid at what she might see, afraid he might change again and grow angry, "I would do it. O-Or if you wanted to set rules that I would have to abide by while on t-the trip, I w-would comply."

She wished Lady Freed was here, by her side. The Lady would know what to do, what to say. She would be able to vouch for Isolde as her patron knight. But Lady Freed was an important woman with important things to do, and so it was left to Isolde to fend for herself. Perhaps that was the way it should be. But it was hard. It was hard to convince anyone of her good intentions when she was walking around in a corpse.

[Orin Fenix]

The expedition seemed doomed before it began. They had devolved into what Orin saw as a petty squabble. Aren seemed to be fluctuating wildly between anger and fear, in a way that was most unlike the normally composed Akalak. In fact the shifts were so extreme that Orin couldn't help but notice there was something off about Aren. But he really didn't know the man well enough to make such judgements. It was just in general strange to see such rapid changes in an individual. Regardless of all that, Orin was taking Aren's actions and words personally. He'd had hoped that the Akalak trusted Orin's judgement not to do anything dangerous and if not, Aren should've believed in Sayana's trust in Orin. It rankled that Orin's guest was receiving such treatment. Sayana had been a little better, although Orin hadn't missed her eye rolls. And her response just made her sound condescending and belittled Orin. At least she hadn't taken Aren's side exactly. Each word the two spoke just served to make Orin more and more angry and he bristled visibly. Marigold, sensing her rider's irritation danced in place and whinnied, and Orin had to take about a chime to get balanced again and let his pony settled. Apparently horses had a sixth sense to detect their rider's mood.

He was about to give yet another angry response despite Sayana's assertion that there was no reason for it when Isolde finally told her side of the story. Orin hated the way that she spoke. He didn't know everything that she explained about being a Nuit. He knew that she was technically dead but still aware. While he hadn't exactly realized that meant she had to continually take over bodies to maintain her existence, it didn't necessarily surprise him. While it was unsettling to realize that she was wearing someone else's skin, Orin didn't blame her for clinging to life with everything she had. And there were a lot of despicable actions that humans did to survive. Many people would think so although Orin personally didn't. Therefore Isolde's actions, even if they might not be natural, were understandable and forgiveable. Orin had learned to see past the surface long ago. A pretty package could disguise a monster. And the most homely of features could be hiding a heart of gold and a mind of steel. Orin knew Isolde and had seen the self-loathing she dealt with. No one who thought that badly of themselves would ever be evil in Orin's view. And Isolde had never done anything to hurt another as far as Orin had seen. It wasn't as if the people who had inhabited the bodies Isolde took over were using them anymore. Orin decided those who donated their corpses would probably be glad they were helping a bright soul, if only Isolde knew it, stay kindled a little longer.

As for the dark ritual, Orin had guessed something of the sort. After all, as much as Orin was coming to ignore or accept the darker aspects of being a Nuit he would never deny that it wasn't a natural way to live. Obviously magic of some kind would be needed to hold a person to a body that had passed on. And it didn't seem to be the sort of spell that was cheerful or light. Still, that revelation was tempered by the knowledge that Isolde hadn't chosen this for herself but instead had it forced upon her. It was the most horrible kind of crime Orin could imagine, a sort of rape and murder from the twisted mind of a twisted man, however good he might have started off. Isolde was the victim of both that long ago tragedy and this current bout of suspicion, and if she was going to give up meekly then Orin was going to stand up for her.

"I hope you're happy." Orin glared at Aren and Sayana and met both of their eyes hoping to shame them. However, he quickly sighed and dropped his gaze. Orin realized that this approach wouldn't get through to Sayana and Aren. He needed to be calm and logical. Taking a few deep breaths Orin finally looked back that the two of them, keeping Isolde in the corner of his eye. "I'm sorry that was uncalled for. Let's see if we, especially me, can discuss this like adults shall we?" His voice was as even as he could make it under the circumstances.

Orin cleared his throat and sat as straight as his saddle would allow. "First I'd like to point out that you all should know me well enough to know that I would never befriend or give my trust and support to someone who wasn't fundamentally good at heart. I would never intentionally lead any of you into danger nor would I spend time with someone who wasn't worth spending time with. But that's neither here nor there and I recognize that my awareness of the world may be more questionable to some of you than others. So let's assume I'm a complete idiot, or thoughtless, or reckless, or a poor judge of character or all of the above somehow. And let's also say that between the three of us, we couldn't overcome her, which Isolde failed to mention a few key points so let me enlighten the rest of you."

Turning to Isolde Orin tried to communicate wordlessly to her that he wasn't betraying her secrets just defending her honor. This form of expression was relatively unknown to Orin and he wasn't sure how successful he was. Turning back to Aren and Sayana Orin continued. "Now what Isolde isn't telling you is that her being a Nuit was not by choice. The dark ritual probably exists, sure. But Isolde was forced into it against her will. While I won't tell the specifics of it, as those are Isolde's to share, know that she didn't decide to become a Nuit but had no choice in the matter. Her only action then is to continue as a Nuit. And I hardly believe that you can or should fault her for that. But let's say you do. Or let's say that she's deceived me somehow and is lying about her history. I don't think anyone looking at her could accuse her of that but that's your opinion. There's one last piece of evidence in her favor." Orin paused, although he wasn't sure if it was for dramatic effect of courage. Maybe it was for both. Regardless this was the last part of his defense. It was also probably the most compelling and subjective. If nothing else had swayed Sayana and Aren, this very well might. "Isolde's a squire. So while I might be personally mistaken about her, don't tell me you'd accuse the Syliran Order of the same. Now I can't force you to accept her, but I think you'd be pretty dumb not to.

Having said his piece to Sayana and Aren, Orin moved on to Isolde. The two of them needed time to mull over Orin's words. And Orin had something to say to Isolde. "I thought we'd been over this. You're a good person. I know you are and I think in your heart of hearts you know you are too. Sure you've made mistakes, but everybody has. And I've seen the guilt you carry in you and I wish I could lessen if. But no one with that much remorse could ever be bad in my eyes. As for being a Nuit, we all do what we have to do to survive. You're not a parasite, you're a person. Orin was glad his voice didn't waver. And he was amazed to discover that he wholeheartedly believed everything he'd just told Isolde. The challenge would be in getting Isolde to accept it herself. That would take time for her to heal and perseverance on Orin's part. Orin was getting the impression that it would be an uphill battle all the way. But Orin had always been stubborn and nowadays he rarely backed down from a fight. And if there was one benefit to being a Nuit for Isolde, it was that she had all the time in the world to come to terms with her past.

Having finally gotten everything he thought he needed to off his chest, Orin brightened up immeasurably. He hated gloomy conversations like they'd just had. While he wasn't so naive as to assume he'd won he thought he'd done as good a job as he could to clear the air. If he failed. Aren and Sayana and Isolde could go back to Syliras. Orin was pressing ahead either way. He'd originally decided to make this journey alone and would do it if he had to. "Now can we go? Daylight's wasting and we can ask each other all the questions we'd like and get everything that's bothering us out into the open. We'll have nothing but each other's company for a few days after all. I think that's ample time for getting to know one another. And I hope that we're all smart enough to walk and talk. Or well, ride and talk in everyone's case but Aren." Orin turned and was about to set off when he realized that no one had answered one very important question Orin asked. "So in all seriousness, how do I get Marigold, I mean my pony, to move? She seems content to just stand here." Orin was horribly embarrassed. His show of confidence and poise had just been completely undermined by a horse. If there was a more humiliating event, Orin couldn't think of it. Hopefully his companions wouldn't see it in quite the same light that Orin was.

[Sayana]

Seros’s words stung her. They seemed random and completely uncalled for, and she didn’t appreciate his threats. She knew it wasn’t Aren, due to the cadence and the fact that she was getting used to distinguishing the two personalities, but it didn’t soften her harsh glare back at the Akalak. She would have spoken directly to him, Seros, right then and there but with an irritated look she turned to the next speaker regarding the topic of Isolde and being a nuit. When the nuit finally spoke and started to explain herself at Sayana’s request, the Eypharian watched her intently. She was nervous, she had done this before but didn’t feel she was any better at it. The nuit also looked scared, and her horse too. Don’t eat, don’t sleep, prey off of the dead, use their bodies… Even as Sayana listened intently, her attention waned and she found herself just watching Isolde’s lips. Was that… was that something black inside her mouth? When Sayana looked more carefully she could see the shadowy form move as Isolde spoke and after a chime or two she realized that it must be the nuit’s tongue. There was a look of uncertainty that crossed Sayana’s face but she still trusted her gut. Isolde was too timid and revealing to truly be a threat. She was frail and practically shaking in her seat. Again Sayana pondered the idea that it was all an act, but if it was this good of an act then she deserved to fall for it. Orin then spoke spitefully with a glare and Sayana was tempted to tell him that she’d be happy when he finally shut up. However, he did reveal two more important points about Isolde. First that she hadn’t intentionally become a nuit, which Sayana could probably have guessed, and secondly that she was a squire with a patron. She was actually quite surprised by the latter and her face showed it. When Orin gave Sayana and Aren time to ‘discuss’, the Eypharian had already made up her mind. But it seemed like the cook wanted to do things his way. “Aren, I will be going on this trip with Orin and Isolde,” Sayana stated in a brisk tone. “You may join me, or you can home.” She was about to direct her attention back to the other two when she turned to the Akalak and added, “And put away your scythe. You’re scaring her. Can’t you see her quivering?” “Now can we go?” Said the cook. “Yes, let’s go,” Sayana interrupted. “We’ve spent enough time on this.” “Daylight's wasting and we can ask each other all the questions we'd like and get everything that's bothering us out into the open.” “Yes.” “We'll have nothing but each other's company for a few days after all.” “Well yeah.” “I think that's ample time for getting to know one another. And I hope that we're all smart enough to walk and talk. Or well, ride and talk in everyone's case but Aren.” “Orin, can we just leave now?” Sayana said in a pained voice. When the cook admitted he couldn’t get his horse moving, Sayana gave an exaggerated sigh. “Orin, just kick it with your heels. If it still doesn’t move, kick it harder or give it a slap on its rump.” The Eypharian turned to Isolde and gave a beckoning gesture with her high hand. “Isolde, would you like to join me up front? And the boys can bring up the rear?” Frankly she was rather annoyed at both of them and would happily take the nuit’s company despite the couple of unnerving aspects about her. She kicked her horse hard into a trot and set off along the road without waiting for a response. It was really time to get moving. Sayana also figured that Isolde was the better rider than Orin because at least she wasn’t asking stupid questions like how to get the horse to move. Sayana glanced back and hoped that Isolde had decided to join her. If not, the Eypharian might weave around to try to start a friendly conversation with the woman. “So have you ever been to Li Mauta?” Sayana asked Isolde. “It’s the mortuary of Syliras. I once knew a…” Suddenly it all hit her. Bakar had not been just a normal man. The coldness to him, his profession, it all suggested that he had also been a nuit. “I once knew a nuit who worked there,” Sayana repeated with the appropriate word to describe her friend. She realized now that what she had thought might be a helpful tidbit of information was probably a well-known fact amongst Isolde’s race. OOCI know that currently Sayana doesn’t have any points in riding, but I’ve got two threads going (prior to the IC date) that she’s learning/practicing riding a horse. So I hope you don’t mind that I’m assuming she has a little knowledge on it.

[Aren]

Aren wasn't happy with the cold calculation which he felt he needed to deal with Isolde, but he had lived too long and seen too much to risk the safety of his family on nothing more than a sad story. She spun quite the tale, and she told it well, yet her own admissions about the nature of her kind did nothing to put the Akalak at ease. The very notion that she was capable of cheating death meant that this seemingly old woman could be even older than she looked, and deception might have been a skill she could have perfected in the course of her life. Believing that the risk was too great, Aren was about to say that they do exactly as Isolde had suggested and cancel the trip. That was when Orin interjected, however. Him and his big mouth, the Akalak couldn't help but think. Just one long, winding spiel seemed to drip from his tongue in an effort convince the Akalak and the Eypharian that perhaps going on a journey into the wilds with a body stealing creature created by dark magic was a good idea. It sounded utterly reckless just putting it into words, and this green boy, who had probably never seen a man get his throat cut in front of him because he trusted the wrong person, was trying to tell Aren what was what? Trying to convince him that his instincts were all wrong? That this woman in front of him, if she could be called that, posed absolutely no threat to any of them? Could her read her mind, and had simply neglected to mention that little detail, the Akalak snorted, his eyes burrowing themselves into Orin's skull. "I swear Orin, If you manage to convince Sayana to go... I'm going to rip that loose tongue right out of your damn mouth and hang it around your neck as a reminder to know when to shut the fuck up!" Aren was not generally someone who easily succumbed to anger or rage, that was more his brother's department, but it seemed like the cook might manage it. Even if he was absolutely dead certain that Isolde was harmless, he should have at least understood the notion that it was perfectly reasonable for someone who didn't know her in the slightest to be concerned about her nature. She was a damn corpse snatcher, and whatever her story about how she ended up like that, there was absolutely no way to confirm it. When Orin mentioned that she was a squire, Aren's face visibly eased. His eyes darted towards the woman in question, and he couldn't hide his surprise. For all their rules and ham fisted approach to governance, the Akalak couldn't remember ever actually having met a member of the knighthood who wasn't a decent sort (more or less). They were annoying, uptight, downright unreasonable sometimes, but he had never met one that had struck him as malicious. The Knights seemed to have an uncanny ability to screen their initiates, if nothing else, and while Aren didn't know if they had some special method, he had to admit it got results. If Isolde truly had been accepted as a squire, then that was a strong argument in her favor. Aren had nothing against the woman, personally, and he hoped that his suspicions were completely unfounded, but that wasn't a risk he was willing to take on the idea that Knights didn't make mistakes in who they recruited. Then Sayana spoke, and his nostrils flared at the realization that Orin had managed to convince her to go. His eyes fixed themselves not on his lover, whom he could tell from her voice would not be dissuaded, but on the chef that had made this come to pass. The Akalak's jaw clenched over and over again, his fist still balled around the haft of his weapon. He could sense what Seros wanted to do, thought the darker Other did not speak, and the truth was that Aren was having trouble being the better half here. He was angry at both Orin and Sayana. For one he knew the reason, but for the other he refused to admit it and simply imagined that it was because she had decided to trust Isolde with her life and their child's, despite his warnings. "Very well, then. We go," The warrior said, coldly, finally releasing the death grip he had on his scythe. He was unable to tear his eyes away from Orin, however, not just because he felt like braking every bone in the man's body, but out of fear that the Eypharian might notice his anger. Seros had already annoyed her with his little flare-up and the Akalak didn't want to giver her another reason for her to be distant. Walking behind the procession in total silence, Aren's normally jovial mood was nowhere to be seen. Ironically, for all his protestations, it was not Isolde who had brought about this state of affair, but the two people he had been trying to protect from whatever danger she might pose. Even so, his gaze eventually shifted to her when Sayana decided to ride up next to the Nuit, his hand instinctively jutting back towards the snaith of his scythe before his conscious mind stopped it.

[Isolde Seibold]

Well... at least things might have smoothed over somewhat, though from the way Aren was looking at Orin things were still precarious. The Nuit was a little off-balance from everything that had happened. When Orin had given her that look --one that seemed, she didn't know, like he was trying to reassure her?-- and when he'd started talking, she'd shaken her head slightly, a quick movement that pleaded with him not to speak of the things she'd told him, as they were not ones she felt comfortable with everyone knowing.

Thankfully, Orin had seemed to understand, and not delve in too deep, for which she was very thankful. Though she knew Orin meant well, there was a reason she hadn't begged off, telling the others how and why she had become a Nuit: because the story would sound like an excuse coming from her cold lips, or a ploy for pity. And she herself didn't believe it was much of an excuse, besides. Had she been strong enough, she would have ended her un-life long ago, at the first chance. Instead she'd been weak, a coward, and here she was.

While the others briefly discussed what it was they'd just learned about her and Nuit, Isolde cast a nervous glance their way, before Orin turned his attentions directly to her. "Yes, I... I know," she said to him, her breathing still a little shaky. "B-But thank you, Orin, for what you said. I... need to learn to stick up better for myself. At the same time... none of what I said was untrue." She grimaced. "So it's only right that p-people might be wary. You shouldn't blame them. You've never seen h-how people act around me. This is... this is normal, for most. Some are more understanding, like you were, but most..." She shrugged, knotting her fingers into Gretta's reigns, a nervous gesture.

After that, it appeared they were to set off. Isolde hesitated slightly where she sat, wondering --even though it might upset Orin-- if she really should just stay behind. But then Sayana spoke, beckoning her to join the Eypharian up at the front of the group. The Nuit let out a shaky sigh, then nudged Gretta's sides with her feet, squeezing slightly with her legs. The horse seemed happy enough to get moving, and pulled up ahead at a brisk trot to match the other's. For a moment Isolde struggled to find her balance in the saddle, every movement she felt that she might tip over and slide out. But soon enough she picked up the pattern of Gretta's trot, how it caused her horse's back to sway and herself to rock. Once that was figured out, riding was a lot easier, since it didn't feel like she would fall off with every step. She knew what to expect.

She didn't know what to expect, however, from Sayana... or from Aren, who she was worried would become angry at her for riding next to the one --two, including the baby-- people that he wanted most to protect. Riding next to the six-armed woman, then, was a little discomforting... especially since Aren was being so quiet back behind them. If he chose to attack, Isolde would have no warning.

As such, it was somewhat difficult to focus on Sayana's words, but the Nuit gave it her all, not wanting to cause any more offense. In fact, she wished she could somehow do the opposite, patch things up between them all, but she was at a loss as to how. She supposed just acting normal, and making sure nothing she did seemed like a threat, was the best way.

So she tried to wipe the worry from her face when Sayana asked her about Li Mauta, though the topic wasn't really one she'd want much to discuss. "Yes, um, I've been there. It's kind of... necessary. For-- for my k-kind. I've actually lived in the Syliras area most of my life, so I've had to visit Li Mauta every few years for the last long while. But I actually lived here even before I was, ah, like this. I was born in the Mithryn Outpost, like Orin. You've probably heard of it?" It was probably obvious that she was hoping to steer the conversation away from anything that had to do with Nuit. Usually she didn't like talking about it. Right now even more so.

"It's a lovely place, Mithryn, or at least it was when I lived there. If you wanted somewhere nice to um, raise your baby, that would be it. There's a sense of community, though the work is hard. But uh..." She paused for a fraction of a tick, then pushed on, "But that's good for kids, right? Growing up strong. My Wyn... my daughter... she loved it there." She was aware she was babbling a little, and so shut her mouth. She wasn't even certain Sayana would be willing to speak of her child, not to Isolde. Not to a Nuit.

OOCWhat Sayana said. ^_^' I've also technically got not XP in riding, but I started a thread a while ago that if it doesn't progress soon I think I'll turn into a solo. So Isolde would have had some basic instruction before now.

[Orin Fenix]

Orin would've thrown up his hands in exasperation and Isolde's continued lack of self-confidence. He settled for sighing instead, since his hands were tightly gripped on Marigold's reins. He didn't really see what, if anything he could say to Isolde to convince her that even if her actions might be construed as unnatural by some, Orin included if he was being perfectly honest, that didn't necessarily mean they were wrong. Just different, which wasn't necessarily bad. After Orin would hate it if everyone were the same. But Isolde was convinced there was something fundamentally wrong with who she was. Orin was of the opinion that she'd made a few bad mistakes along the way and had spent nearly two hundred years atoning. Orin thought that was more than enough time moping. However pursuing this line of dialogue much further probably wouldn't go over too well with Isolde. "I don't think you're right but I'm not going to argue with you. I just have one question for you and I'm not trying to be rude, but if even you don't have confidence and who and what you. Are how can you expect anyone else to?" Orin knew even that much was probably going too far but he couldn't just leave it and say nothing. He'd thought that Isolde had been getting better with Orin's help but this seemed to have set her back quite a long time. It didn't make for an auspicious start to their trip. Still, Orin wasn't ready to give up on cheering Isolde up just yet. If he could prove to Aren and Sayana and by extension Isolde as well that being a Nuit didn't make someone an inherently evil person then Orin would consider this trip a success. Beyond the actual purpose of getting inspiration from Sunset Falls, that is. Of course there was nothing wrong with having multiple goals at once.

Orin was pleased to see that Sayana, at least, was willing to give Isolde a chance to prove herself on her own merits and not simply what she was. He gave Isolde an encouraging nod. "Go on. Sayana's a wonderful person and I think you'll like her." As the two women went on ahead Marigold tried to follow and Orin instinctively pulled back on the reins. Marigold snorted unhappily. Orin instantly eased up but Marigold apparently was now waiting for Orin to take the lead. Gulping, Orin reviewed what Sayana had told him about riding. Just digging his heels in or kicking the horse's flanks was apparently enough to get Marigold moving.

Settling himself in what he hoped was a proper riding position, Orin sent up a silent prayer then kicked gently. Marigold flicked one ear back. Apparently Orin had gotten her attention but she didn't seem quite ready to move yet. Getting annoyed with himself for his fear and Marigold for her complacency as Isolde and Sayana moved off, Orin kicked putting as much force as he dared behind it. As if startled by his sudden confidence Marigold broke into a shambling walk before moving into a faster speed. Orin swayed back and forth precariously before centering himself. He reduced his bobbing up and down as Marigold hit what she seemed to feel was a perfectly good pace but Orin couldn't seem to get rid of the bouncing fully. Orin didn't know the names of the various gaits but this didn't seem to be a breakneck speed. It was still much faster than Orin could walk and Orin's behind felt it every step the pony took. Orin didn't see any need to pick up his speed as long as the distance between him and Aren and the ladies ahead didn't change.

Of course, Orin hadn't exactly realized that by giving Isolde and Sayana some space that he would be forced to spend time with Aren. Orin didn't like the Akalak all that much. Orin respected the mercenary and his abilities, sure, but that didn't mean that Orin had to be best friends with the man. Even if he and Sayana were an item, Orin didn't need to change his opinion. Sure if Orin wanted to continue being friends with Sayana he probably should at least make a token effort to get along with Aren. But Orin was still pissed at the warrior for his treatment of Isolde and didn't much feel up to small talk. Besides, Orin had been talking more than enough. He felt as if he'd managed to annoy everyone, including Isolde, so maybe it would be best for Orin to give talking a rest for a while. Contrary to what other people might believe Orin could actually control himself. It just took him an effort that he usually didn't care to expend. Orin's real friends would just except his complete lack of a filter and his inability normally to think before he spoke. Beyond that, from what little Orin knew of Aren the man didn't like talking anyone. Every attempt Orin had made at trying to reach out had been rebuffed and typically met with derision and scorn. Orin didn't see any reason to put himself through that if he didn't have to.

Risking a glance at Aren, Orin saw that the Akalak seemed tenser than usual and his hand hovered near his scythe as if ready to pull it out and use it at any moment. Following Aren's gaze Orin was unsurprised to see the other man's attention appeared to be focused almost entirely on the women, although for all Orin knew he was tracking the countryside for threats. Orin just didn't know with Aren. From the back Orin couldn't tell how either women was feeling. Their voices carried across the distance but not well enough that Orin could follow the conversation. There was no screaming, shouting or violence though so Orin was hoping it was going well enough up there. Not so back here. In retrospect Orin should've handled the whole situation better. Still it rankled that Aren still seemed to view Isolde as a threat. Orin had at least hoped to have made Aren and Sayana the benefit of the doubt.

Orin pursed his lips together before saying something he regretted because it would be ineffective and just piss Aren off. If everything Orin had already spoken in Isolde's defense hadn't changed Aren's mind Orin was pretty sure nothing short of divine intervention would do that. Taking deep breaths Orin tried to find the right words. Finally, Orin found something that he hoped would be innocuous enough but would eventually change Aren's mind about this whole situation.

Clearing his throat politely, Orin turned so that at least some of his body was facing Aren. "Sayana can take care of herself you know. She's very fierce." Orin chuckled at the memory of her and her wrath facing down a zith, a creature from nightmares. Thankfully that night hadn't ended badly for anyone but Orin and hopefully the assassin who'd been dumb enough to leave proof of his crimes behind in public. It had been a strange night and hadn't ended in a way any of them had expected. "Entirely too self-sufficient and stubborn sometimes. But her heart is in the right place." Glancing away Orin trained his eyes strictly ahead. He wasn't sure how Aren would react to any of this, to be perfectly honest. For all Orin knew the Akalak would take it as an affront to Sayana's honor instead of Orin's awkward attempt to find common ground between the two of them and maybe make some sort of peace. "You two are well matched that way. Your child is going to have some mighty fine parents." Orin blushed. It hadn't sounded anywhere near as weird in his mind as it had as soon as it left his mouth. Still once uttered Orin could hardly take it back without looking like even more of a fool. The worst that would probably happen is that Aren ignored Orin completely. It wasn't as if that would be any great loss seeing as Orin was more than half-convinced that Aren hated him, especially now. Still Orin hoped the relationship between the two of them wasn't completely beyond repair. Something needed to be salvaged because Orin was under no illusions as to who Sayana would choose.

[Sayana]

Sayana was glad that Aren had finally relented, but it had certainly taken them long enough to get moving. She was also happy that Isolde had decided to join her. The nuit didn’t seem like one to have many friends. Even though Sayana had a good sense about the woman, she would certainly not choose to abandon the daggers in her belt at any time soon. It was curious how the woman had to visit the mortuary so often. Perhaps that’s what made her race so widely disliked, how frequently they needed bodies. Sayana couldn’t quite suppress a shiver but otherwise kept her expression calm. She was actually rather glad as Isolde moved the conversation to another topic. “Mithryn Outpost? Yes, it’s where the crops and food come from, right? A little farming community. Actually…” Sayana took off her backpack and dug out a small case from within it. She opened it up and pulled out a small crude map of the region outside of Syliras. It was a little tricky while riding, but her low hands were free to hold up the map. To the south and a little to the east was a circle with the words “Mithrin Outpost” labeling it. The Eypharian didn’t want to interrupt and simply looked at her map as a mental reference as the woman talked about the Mithryn Outpost. “You have a daughter? What’s she like?” Sayana asked with genuine curiosity when the nuit mentioned Wyn. And then it hit her that Isolde might be a lot older than she looked, and that would make her daughter... “Is she…” Sayana began and was about to say the word ‘alive’ but then stopped herself. Instead she rephrased her queries into something more open. “Would you like to tell me about your daughter?” Sayana would be more than happy to hear about Isolde’s life but neither did she want to push her. But once the nuit was done, Sayana already had something fun in mind. The Eypharian maneuvered her horse a little closer to the woman and held out her map. “See here where the road forks? It shouldn’t be too far off now. Want to race me there? We’ll be taking the straight path.” With a playful grin, the Eypharian returned the map to her bag and made sure her reins were straight. “Just between me and you, I think you’re much better at riding than Orin,” Sayana said as she gave a glance back at the cook. “Ready? Go!” Sayana gave a hard kick to the horse’s sides and set off at a fast trot. At first she felt every single bump in the saddle but then she started to rock with the gait. He mid hands gripped the saddle horn tightly and at times she stood up just a little in her saddle to reduce the jostling. “Come on Cinnamon,” she encouraged and gave another little kick hoping to speed up.

[Aren]

Aren eyed the pair riding ahead of him like a hawk sighting down prey. Every action and gesture that placed Sayana closer to the Nuit was met with an elevated heart rate and a grimace from the Akalak. He understood that while Isolde might very well have been just a normal person condemned to a fate not of her choosing, the warrior simply could not help but be wary of her very nature. The hunter is still a threat to the deer, after all, though he might not be hungry at this particular moment. Orin's attempts at conversation, on the other hand, were paid the same attention one would pay a gnat. For the most part, Aren tried to ignore the sound of his voice, which was now starting to get on his nerves, and the words that were coming out of his mouth, which he was growing quite tired of listening to. The Akalak realized that this was probably not the chef's fault, but rather his own, and that he was merely reacting to the intense anger the boy had provoked. Despite this self awareness, however, the desire to rearrange the shape of his nose only grew stronger the more the rider spoke, and Aren suspected that if he continued, Seros might eventually "wrest control" from him and do everyone the favor of having Orin's unconscious form "rest" atop his horse for the next few bells. The silence would be blissful, if nothing else. When the cook mentioned his child, however, it felt as if that had been the only word that the warrior had heard. His head swiveling almost instantly in the direction of the gnat, Aren's face was not one of annoyance, but rather outright fury. "As far as I'm concerned, that child's life is in danger because you are too damn naive to understand how the world works and too damn stupid to know when to keep your opinions to yourself." The outburst seemed to be something more commonly associated with Seros, but this wasn't the more volatile brother's doing; the darker Other had never seen Aren quite like this, but he had to admit that Orin just seemed to have this effect on both of them. "If you ever mention him again in my presence, I won't care what Sayana thinks of me; you'll wake up in so much pain that the sounds that come out of your mouth will be limited to screams." The Akalak certainly did not appear to be joking or merely making idle threats, and in actuality even he himself was unsure of how serious he was. Anger had a way of making people say and do things they didn't mean, but was he furious enough to really follow through? The notion that he wasn't certain how he would react if Orin continued to tug on that string worried him immensely, and Aren decided that perhaps it might be best if the two were not left to their own devices. Halting for a second, the Akalak allowed Orin's mount to pass him by, and he extended his open palm towards the animal's haunches as it came into range. He'd seen people do this to get a horse moving absent command from its rider, and that's exactly what Aren wanted. Giving the beast a strong slap on its rear quarters, he expected that it would take some time before the inexperienced Orin got it back under control, and he wanted to use this opportunity to have a moment alone with Isolde. The azure mercenary had noticed Sayana's playful intent a few breaths earlier, and then she had run off ahead of the Nuit, likely with the intent of having some type of contest. Fortunately, Aren caught up to Isolde before the woman could react to his lover's challenge, "I don't know if I can trust you, but as you can see Sayana isn't exactly the most cautious type. She probably wont listen to me right now, so help me keep her safe." His face turning to look up at Isolde, the Akalak's eyes seemed to plead with her, "Show me that Orin is right. That the magic that created you doesn't make you who you are." For some reason, Aren felt oddly at ease being this close to what was essentially a monster; Isolde really didn't seem to have any malice in her heart, even towards someone that might be inclined to take her life. He sincerely hoped this was a good sign, and not merely the product of an exceptional ability to deceive.

[Isolde Seibold]

It was almost pathetic, the sudden reluctance she felt when it came to talking about Wynry. She'd brought up her child as a sort of common ground, and it seemed Sayana was quite interested in what she had to say. At the same time, talking about her little girl often reminded Isolde of everything that had gone wrong in her life. Everything she had let go wrong.

Still, she had brought Wynry up. The Nuit swallowed past the lump in her throat and said as cheerfully as she could, "Yes, a daughter. Wynry was... the best thing that ever happened to me. I always wanted to be a mother, and though it hadn't happened the way I'd expected--" here she remembered the way Sayana had called Aren her 'lover', not her husband, and thought maybe she might understand, "--she was the best. Just the best." She actually smiled, a quick flash of teeth. "Though she was a handful. Always doing what she wanted. Still, she was a good girl. She's... she's dead now." She looked down at her hands on Gretta's reigns, then back up, over at Sayana. "But when she was alive, wow. She was certainly alive. You could see the life shining out of her like light. Her father was like that too."

Oddly enough, now that she'd started it would be easy for her to go on. She never tired of thinking about Wynry, or Vaughn. She never tired of trying to remember their faces, every little thing about them, like how Wyn had had more freckles on one side of her face than the other. It was the little things, she knew, that made them up. That made them them.

Isolde had lapsed into a thoughtful silence, a recollection, while she considered these things, and what else to say about her daughter. Perhaps Sayana had thought she was finished talking, for Isolde looked over to see her rummaging in a backpack for something. When the Eypharian pulled it out, at first it only looked like a piece of paper. It was only when Sayana directed her horse closer that Isolde could peer over onto the sheet and tell what was written upon it. It looked to be a map. With her innate knowledge of the Syliran area, Isolde soon recognized most of the features. There was the Outpost. And ahead...

Before Isolde could really redirect her thoughts from the past to now, Sayana had started speaking of having a race. The Nuit held out a hand, saying, "I-I don't--" But then Sayana had kicked her heels into her horse's flanks, and the animal shot ahead with a cloud of dust.

The Nuit leaned back, eyes watering, and then, to her surprise, another horse ran by hers: Orin's. There was yet another cloud of dust from the Zeltivan road, and even before it had cleared Aren had appeared by her side, surprisingly tall even when she was all the way up on Gretta's back. The Nuit flinched away from him, thinking that this was some sort of ambush, unconsciously squeezing her legs tighter around Gretta, who tried to jump forward and away from the Akalak.

But before she could get far, Aren spoke, and she realized that he did not seem angry, not as she had been expecting, and despite her better instincts --which were telling her to be cautious and put some distance between them-- she pulled back again on Gretta's reigns. Annoyed or confused or both, the horse whinnied and slowed nearly to a walk before picking up her trot again, though Isolde tried to tell her to keep her pace slow so that Aren would be able to speak easier as he ran alongside.

His words, his tone, and the expression he gave as he looked up at her took Isolde completely aback. One instant she had been wary of him, even afraid; the next, a wave of guilt washed through her, adding to the tumult. Despite his anger earlier, the insults he had given towards the others in the party, and his distrust of her... the Nuit understood Aren's suspicions. He had only been trying to protect his family. She herself was frightened of him, and it seemed that somehow --maybe because of that-- their roles had reversed and Aren had become the 'bad guy' on this trip, something she hadn't wanted.

She still didn't know if she was comfortable being near him. But neither did it seem he was going to attack her right now. So Isolde kept where she was. It would only make things worse if she ran away.

As to his plead, though, she was at a loss. It was difficult. What could she say to make him believe her? She didn't know. The Nuit took a deep breath. "I will. Try to keep her safe, that is. Like Orin said, I a-am a squire, though he didn't mention that I haven't been one long." Another deep breath. "But that doesn't mean I won't do my best to protect her, and everyone here. I joined the Knighthood because I wanted to protect p-people. So that some good to come out of this." She waved a hand towards herself. "I know that I-I don't seem like someone trustworthy... like someone at all, really. Just like... some sort of thing. But I do my best. I don't want to frighten people."

Here she paused, finally able to tear her eyes from him, balancing on the trust that he wouldn't slay her as she averted her attentions. "I don't know how to convince you. And I d-don't like talking about my past. A-About how I... how I got like this. But if you need to ask any questions I'll answer them, and truthfully."

OOCOrin, if you have anything against the assumption that I made about your horse running past Isolde, then PM and I can change this post.

[Orin Fenix]

OOCAbsolutely fine, since that was indeed my plan. Also, feel free to do whatever you need to to get the rampaging pony to stop.

Orin had about enough of Aren’s assumptions and disdain for everything Orin said, did, and stood for. It was humiliating and it infuriated Orin in a way that he hadn’t felt in years. However, unlike his usual anger, this ran cold, not hot. Ice filled his veins and his voice and Orin drew himself to his full height. Unfortunately since Aren was so much taller that essentially meant that Orin and he were at the same level. Orin wasn't daunted by this in the slightest. ”Aren I’m not a child or an idiot. I looked evil wrapped up in a terrifying mix of love and lies and despair every day for years. I knew it intimately and it haunted my life. So don’t think I don’t know what I’m talking about.” And then, because Orin didn’t know when to stop even it was good for him, Orin added one last ill-advised comment. That’s arrogance of the highest order, assuming that you always are right and know everything about everyone.” Orin words were short and clipped. He'd had about enough of Arem's hostility and judgement. The man was one of the most temperamental people Aren had ever met. Moreover, he was wrong about so much. He'd been wrong that his plan was better than Orin's to deal with the yukmen. He'd been wrong in his assessment of Orin's mental fortitude. He'd been completely awful and choked Orin into unconsciousness twice for no good reason that Orin could come up with.

Mostly though he was rude, uncommunicative and horribly and completely sure that he knew better than everyone else. Orin knew he wasn't the best with people but at the very least Orin owned up to his mistakes. He knew his faults and was doing his best to correct them. And Aren seemed too stubborn, proud and stupid to change. "Last time I checked you had absolutely no right to dictate who I spoke to or what I said to them. But by all means let's devolve into violence and threats. It seems to be the only topic your tiny mind can grasp. Since you're an uncivilized brute I can't say I'm surprised. The fault lies with me for assuming you could change and just have a normal conversation for once. My bad." The sarcasm dripping off the last two words was physically tangible. Orin was beyond caring that he sounded far too similar to the bullies he'd hated growing up. He wasn't sure the last time he'd been filled with this much rage but Aren seemed to pull out the worst in Orin. "Don't worry about me mentioning your child again in your presence. If I had my way I'd never see you again but since we both spend with Sayana thatis unlikely, so I'll settle for never acknowledging you or speaking to you again." If Aren didn't have the decency to even be polite to Orin then Orin saw no reason to extend the same courtesy to the Akalak. Orin had no interest in hearing the scorn, derision and condescension that was practically dripping from the warrior. Orin might not have always been as circumspect and kind around Aren as he could or should have been but Aren had taken it way too far every time. Frankly Orin didn't even want to get to know the Akalak better. He was simply making an effort to get along because he thought it would make both their lives significantly more difficult if the two of them couldn't even exchange pleasantries without trying to rip the other's throat out. But Aren apparently didn't care. If that was the case Orin wouldn't bother either.

Orin glared at the Akalak as Aren fell behind. Happy enough to let the conversation die off, Orin turned ahead with a hopefully audible sniff. It was just like Aren to retreat from an argument he couldn't win instead of conceding defeat. Orin was feeling the first strains of victory appear in his mind when there was a loud smack before him. The next thing Orin knew he was flying through the air and nearly toppled backwards and out of the saddle. He clung to the reins for dear life and gripped the horse with his legs as tightly as he dared. None of that seemed to make his seat feel any less precarious and every bounce gave Orin a new bruise or ache.

It was only when he flew past Isolde that his mind caught up with his body. Something, and Orin would bet it was everything he owned that it was Aren hitting Marigold had startled his pony into a full out gallop. As the speck that had been Sayana quickly grew closer Orin released an incoherent scream that was equal parts rage and terror. If he survived the coming moments he was going to straight up murder Aren, consequences be damned. This little stunt of the Akalak's had gone a step too far. It was one thing to exchange insults. It was quite another to do something that deliberately endangered someone's life in a fit of pique. Orin hadn't exactly been holding back before but he was going to rip Aren a new one now. If he ruined Sayana and Aren's relationship so much the better. She shouldn't be with such a petching little shyke anyway. The man is a menace Orin prayed fervently that he survived this. Even if he didn't, though he vowed that he would come back as a ghost and haunt Aren.

As Marigold drew up to Sayana's horse, she hesitated briefly. In that instant Orin shouted over the sound of Marigold's pounding hooves and his pounding heart. "Help me stop her!" He hoped Sayana could because Orin certainly had no notion how to stop a galloping horse. His teeth were clamped together because Orin was worried he'd bite all the way through his tongue otherwise. Marigold finally decided that she wanted to stay at her current speed and darted to one side so she could pass Sayana. She surged ahead and made a beeline for the central path in a crossroads. Orin had no idea if it was the right direction but he certainly wasn't going to try and change Marigold's mind. It was taking all of his strength and concentration to simply stay on.