Vex's Collection of Stories

[Vexademus]

First Worries - April 22, 2021

Vexademus chose today, of all days, to visit what she deemed the cold land once more and make herself useful in the Apothecary. None of the shipments had been hijacked lately, which is good, but there was strenuous unrest in the humid lands. It effected everything right on the heels of the rebuild happening from the Wildgrowthe Plague. Of all the terrible things to take place; the imperial decree. Did the monarchy not understand how epidemics wrought the land and how hard it was for a new economy to recover from them? A chew to the inside of her cheek and she unlocked the shop, stepped inside and donned her pin while shutting the door behind her; multitasking with hands that were used to shaping the aether. She walked towards the counter and grabbed the ledger, on her way; pausing by the hearth and sparking some coals to heat up while she grabbed the kettle. Once at the counter, she noted the time and went beyond to the rear of the shop, filling the teapot with water and coming round to the front to settle handle on extended arm, pushing it over just barely lit but hot coals.

Calvin had been curious where Vex was when he saw she was not in the keep, deciding it was most likely she was tending to the apothecary. He was bored, so he decided to go north through the portal and see for himself. The elf boy dressed in his usual town garb; tight suede pants and a loose fitting white cloth shirt, adorned as well in a lighter make of suede, fashioned into a vest. He brushes some blonde hair out of his eyes and steps up to the shop window, peering inside to see the magess and entering quietly while clearing his throat.

The mageling had been readying the contents of the shop and was viably waiting on the kettle to whistle. She stopped and tapped her temple, walking to the back of the shop and grabbing a cup to bring to the counter. She hadn't heard the golden one come in with the bell ringing - her thoughts had been elsewhere. He caught a glimpse of the back of Vex's head as she disappears to the back of the shop, approaching the counter and peering around curiously, sniffing at the air. He then set azure gaze on the kettle. The woman came to the counter and spied Calvin, blinking. She licked her lips, that velveteen black arch magi robery writhing in agitation while she watched him. "You left the Dome today," she remarks.
"Were you not worried about the unrest in there from the posted imperial decree? While the master of the Dome has gone, a few nobles have come out in words about His Grace." She looked as though she hadn't slept.

Calvin perks a brow at the magess' comments, perhaps naively thinking he would skirt most of it by taking a more off-the-beaten-path approach to the apothecary.
"I didn't think much of it, Goddess. I knew where I was going."
He smiles somewhat assuredly, glancing around. It's not like the town was set aflame or anything.

She rolled her shoulders, looking over the elf with a measure of contaminated leer. It wasn't that she could totally ignore his posture, but that she had things weighing heavily on her mind. The fact that the second floor had been finished for the menagerie and then, that someone would be trying to help His Grace do his job. He didn't fucking need help! The noble had been doing just fine. He'd even taken a private interest in the army that was being trained; an army of mages, of course; in the Great Dome. He'd been generously donating mephos eggs to other nobles and had taken no rest to attend even the celebrations of his kind in and around Nanthalion.

The golden-crowned male could tell he had caught Vexademus in a mood, offering in a small gesture. "Can I do anything to help alleviate your stress, Goddess?"
He glances around the place. "Tidy up a bit, perhaps? Not that is particularly in need of tidying..."
He noticed she hadn't retrieved the kettle. "Make your tea?"

The magess looked down into her cup and blinked. A short nod and she speaks aloud, "Aye, pretty. I'm worried. Of all things, the unrest comes on the heels of the Wildgrowthe plague. Does the monarchy have no idea how long it takes for a new economy to get back up onto its feet after such an epidemic?"

Calvin moved swiftly behind the counter, the suede pants he wore performing some light swishing as he moved, fetching the tea he knew she preferred. He places the tea in the mug and removes it from her grasp, placing it on the counter and then pouring some of that off-boil water into the container. "It is hard, Goddess," he conceded. "You have much on your plate."

She sank down to the stool behind her, her fairly wide bottom's girth spilling over the edges while covered with that black outfit and she rubs her brow. "So much to worry about for the land and it really hasn't begun in heavy trade yet. Everything is done on the balance of a thread because the land is so harsh and just about every step is death. Which makes it exciting, I know. But, that the mainland is only full of predators that can be dealt with easily, this place scares some of those warriors on the mainland, I should think. I mean, honestly, plants that want to eat a person while they dream-die inside its belly over days and are digested over months?"

Calvin turns to hand the mug to Vexademus, taking a step back once she had received it. He clasped his hands behind his back while he watched her continue to rant, then perks a brow. He had not heard all of these details, perhaps living too sheltered of a life himself. He bit his tongue, not having anything particularly useful to add. He didn't want to seem too ignorant, either.

She receives the mug and sighs. She looked at him and offers some pleasance, "Oh pretty. You're stiff. I understand that this must seem a little much for you all of the sudden. You have been enjoying the box and probably some of the new hires as well. Come." She lifts her hand and gestures for him to round the counter with a few finger waggles; a soft come-hither.

He rose a brow at the invitation, then blushes slightly at her comment on the box, the thought of it stirring something inside him. The elfboy steps forward behind the counter and relaxes a bit, "It's okay, Goddess. You can talk to me."

Again, she gestures more forwardly for him to come closer. If he comes close enough, she'd pull him into an embrace and tightly squeeze him. It was probably more for her sake than for his. Her grip was tight. Tighter than it had been in a while.

He released a grunted exhale as he is squeezed tightly, embracing the magess without much hesitation, however. She had been good to him. And she did shoulder a heavy burden.
"Things will get better, Goddess," he spoke in reassuring tones, hoping she didn't notice the slight awakening in his pants from that earlier mention.

And she did happen to notice. She happened to notice because something that massive couldn't be lauded commutely. To deny something that gargantuan would be to say that she was blind. To say that she shouldn't have her job at the Apothecary. To say that she probably was unworthy of her title at the Dome.

He felt the embrace lasting, blushing a bit as he was held tightly against her body, the thought cycle in his head that she might have noticed only fueling itself in this time, and that bulge, which didn't grow any smaller, only to the contrary, in the lingering moments that passed. Fingers on her back squeezed somewhat, then tapped, as if signaling his willingness to release from the embrace.

The mageling let him free and nodded, giving him a slight shove away. She leaned forward and took up her steeping tea that he'd prepared. She blew across the steam coiling up and put some to her lips, kissing away the stuff and burning herself only minutely.

The artisan scooted back a few steps at that shove, frowning somewhat, knowing the magess was temperamental. He opened his mouth as if to comment, or perhaps apologize, but she had already moved on to the tea. "Anything else I can fetch for you, Goddess?", he offered.

She set down the cup and looked at him. There was a perusal of eyes from top to bottom and then back up. She chewed on the inside of her cheek. As if she was weighing something. Reaching out, she gently gestured for him to return, feeling as though she needed some caretaking. "I need some understanding, pretty. I need some coddling. Aye, I know, I'm not one for usually needing to be cradled, but there is a lot to think about and I don't have the calls of the shadow cats and the peacocks to soothe me right now."

He heard her comment, tilting his head to the side. It was unlike her, indeed. The elfboy stepped forward nonetheless, pressing the side of her head against his lithe chest and patting her back soothingly. "As all things ebb and flow, this too will be forgotten in time," the words he spoke sounded confident, even if he wasn't quite sure of them himself.

She heard the elf's heartbeat and thought maybe she heard the hitch in his voice. It was alright to pretend. She thought again about His Grace. He was magnificent in his leadership. Hells Bells, now, it seemed someone wanted to take another noble, in charge of another kingdom and put him in the drak's place. It wasn't fair. And it wasn't good. But what in life was fair?

Vexademus was already somewhat extracting herself, "Listen, pretty. I need to finish up in here and log my time. None have needed the shop today but the plants in back needed some watering and spray. Good that I was here. Though, I did have a question on why the shipments have been extra early to the place. Just late last year, there were bandits attacking shipments of certain healing ingredients that we cannot grow."

He nodded. "Well enough..." he takes a step back, now, and glances to the tea. Perhaps she would forget about it. Or perhaps she would drink some more. He reddens a bit, regretting just slightly his decision to tarnish the beverage.

She rose her teacup and then paused it, pulling the ledger out with a free hand. She pushed the cup near to her lip and then paused again, not drinking while she wrote down her time. Setting the cup aside just yet, she put the ledger away and then rose the cup again. She stopped before taking a drink and looked at Calvin, "Were you heading back to the Dome today or going to do some shopping in town?"

He felt a sudden dread creep up his spine when she picked up the teacup, trying not to noticeably tense up before she paused, keeping him nervously glancing between her gaze and the cup of tea. She set it aside and he breathed a sigh of relief as she seemed to lose interest, only to quickly lift to take a sip moments later... He smiles despite his inner monologue when she poses that question, "Oh, I'm not sure, Goddess.. I simply came to check on you..." He eyes her suspiciously.

The mage was about to sip the contents but then set the cup aside; again. She took off the pin and pocketed it, rising to empty the kettle into the fire to put out the coals. She then grabbed her cup while walking to the rear of the shop. Moments later, she was exiting with everything put away and even cup rinsed out and put away. She was licking her lips. Did she drink it? He hadn't seen.

He peered at the cup as it traveled all around the shop, coming near the magess's lips on more than one occasion but not actually reaching her mouth. He thought he was in the clear when she snatched it on her way to the rear of the shop, the elfboy trying to get a peek at what she did with it, but it was hard to tell. His heartbeat quickened a bit as he waited patiently at the front of the shop.

The clerk exited with him and locked the door behind her with a rather opulent key. She turned and laced an arm around his waist, openly pulling him along and close to herself as they walked, his hip probably bumping the hard portion of her robes where they were so very tight; like a corset.

The elf glanced down as her hand wraps around his waist and pulls, quickly following along on soft-soled boots. She was moving with purpose, it seemed, and he felt for a moment some relief that she probably hadn't sipped the tea after all. It was too cold, he thought, the wandering imagination of the elfboy catching him daydreaming a bit as he moved alongside her.

[Vexademus]

An Audience - April 22, 2021

Vexademus had been surrounded by whispers all night and today. She'd just brushed off most questions in favor of a calming etiquette. What could she say to her students? Having worked the apothecary and taught a few classes this morning had her feeling as though she'd worked through some of her anger from the imperial decree. Still, her head swam with a multitude of questions that really had no more of an answer than the knowledge of some of the land's marker'd enigmas. Knowing the language to speak was one thing; reading it was another. Today, she was comforted in the fact that she'd be spending some time with the necromancer. A chuckle permitted as she thought of how strange that sounded. Comforted by a necromancer. Having dressed in the white clothing once more with the billowing shirt and tight breeches with those alabaster matching boots, she was already taking some time to exit the Dome, down the steps. Her hair was loose and somewhat wild, looking as though she'd barely slept. No one followed the magess today. No surroundings students. Today, she'd demanded privacy.

Things seemed to have a heavier air about them since the previous day when a strange missive was delivered upon him from the Empress herself. *Confused* would state the obvious moreso than any other obvious thing, but the drak took time, wine, and perhaps the strain of snuffing out a lesser life or three in the process of understanding the machinations of this unusual decree. Nonetheless, a previous engagement made took his attention now, and perhaps a welcome distraction from thinking about how this ridiculously unnecessary engagement is going to play out. He was garbed in his usual attire; a dark enveloping robe giving comfort to his wings, whilst his lengthy tail appeared beneath the bottom most borders of the fabric. Mithril circlet framed his head just above those tiny horns, and booted feet that clopped worn heels faintly with every step as he'd make his way into the main hall of the castle and towards the massive doorway to the outdoors and the courtyard.

All the while, the mage wondered how much she should mention of the unrest inside the Great Dome. The fact that Rezith was still having problems getting the cooks and others to do what he needed them to do was on her mind. She'd explained that there were three other towers with their own kitchen staff and all of the communication sometimes went through the fae channels. So, what should have been 'Order more leeks' came through as: 'Fold along the crease'. There was some amusement in that. Alexis had been quite busy with tasks of the tower and the magess had barely noticed the collar; a white platinum colored collar, fashioned in the shape of ivy-leaves wound around with dots of emeralds imbedded into the clusters centers, where it clips at the front and the tag with the Oruedin's abbreviation on it. A large emerald that dangles beneath in the hollow of throat, all of which is engraved in minute detail of tree leaves and vines made of twisted platinum. Vexademus had mentioned something of it in passing, but the nymph had just smiled and tapped her temple and carried on, meaning that the mageling would hear about later. And of the oncoming discovery and capture studies, there was a back order of nets, big nets, rope and twine that would be used to secure the larger creatures and well as small cages and tiny mesh cages for the smaller insects. Upon arrival through bumpy ridden carriage, she was helped from the vehicle and just wasted no time in meeting the noble. Coming up hurriedly to greet him, she dropped a small curtsy as was customary, taking his hand.

"Your Grace. You look well. Have you eaten?"
It was something that was neutral. She knew it was coming. Because the OverSeer and apprentice wasn't involved too much with tact when it came to him. Not when she felt such an attachment to the lord. He would know as well, and see it, she was practically chomping at the bit to talk about, snark about, admit her displeasure and literally huff about without no real solution but to continue as usual.

Perhaps for once in some time, he did not crack a smile. Visibly, the frustration of the matter was on his face, and traces of his using the arts of death in recent times could be felt. Still, in the end of it all, his candor was not angered or displeased. "Aside from what I've come to understand as an attempt at ensuring we are not growing too large for our own good so that the Empire cannot keep us in check as they do the other regions, everything is as it should be." he'd reply first and foremost of his wellness and thoughts. "I have not eaten as of yet. I was tending to.. keep myself from doing something I probably should not do." he'd mutter, speaking of how he felt a little more deathbringing than usual. "It is good to see you though. I hope everything is well with you as well." and then he would crack that familiar smile, trying to distract his thoughts to the here and now.

Vexademus kept hold of his hand, thumb moving over the top of it warmly. The woman with the pronounced backside usually covered in midnight was now sported in white. It did nothing to hide it. Like she would. Small waist held a silver-studded belt that shifted a touch as she changed her stance with a step forward to loop her arm under and then over his forearm, in position as if he would escort her.
"I've been working to keep the sanity of the Dome. As you know, master Infernis is still gone...off to other places, I think. Though, when and if he'll return, I've come to understand that the situation might be his to decide. Running the place is a little...intimidating but I've gotten it handled. By way of being watched by the empire, I figured it just as much as there have been other baronies and dukedoms that are failing and rising like the tide. We are known to reside directly inside Gaea's Breast and on some rather priceless ore, stones, and other raw resources. You had expected something like this, I remember, you saying so, though, I believe just not so soon. I remain loyal, as does the Dome. No doubt that the monarchy realizes that the decree comes on the heels of the rebuild of the epidemic of the plague. At least, I would like to think so. Many had lost loved ones and children and entire fortunes. Some escaped with everything intact but are now questioning on whether this declaration is similar to having to deal with the pirates and bandits."

He'd nod at all that while he'd start a slow gait to return within the castle. He'd directed the cooks to retrieve something for food and drink to bring to the table prior to making way towards said table.
"It was inevitable, and with a couple resources under direct control of the jungle here, it makes Dethsiris a prized location. At some point it could be used as a leveraging chip, but there won't be a need for such a tactic."
He pulled a seat out for her to take. "My understanding of the situation at hand is that nobody will be made to give up their positions. Things will continue to be as they have been. The only thing is, there will be a couple additions."
He paused for a moment, and take a seat nearby once she had sat down.
"Gabriel, I am familiar with. He has been an integral part of why Dethsiris exists, and why we have as detailed maps of the jungle as we do. If not for him, we would not know much of this place."

She winced as she walked with him. Definitely, she had the plans of visiting Wraith and becoming even more familiar with the mephos, but since they both needed nourishment, perhaps there would be some time to take tea.
"That we had retrieved so much in the way of products on the last excursion against masquerading pirates was a relief. That there were more slaves as 'product' was kind of disconcerting as I had thought that there would be more tangible things. Though, the head of that sea robbers' forces was able to get away, even from Thunder's aimed rocks destroying the ground and oceanic catapults. That was frustrating. We made good allies in that though. And the oceanic battles that Mister Joe was involved in? Along with so many others that now hold places inside Dethsiris...it's comforting."

She abided his direction and even to the chair she slid into with a nod, her stomach growling, "Mister Gabriel I know of. He was the one who provided the maps for the first discovery study I took with Airy, Abby, and Amethine. They were a great help...except for the acidic quicksand. And that no one shall lose their place..."
She really didn't want to bother, "Still no missives from master Infernis. The Dome goes to auction, I understand this come the month of Thunder's Reign. Should he pay the upkeep of it, it will remain in his name. Should he not....I've been saving up and hope that I will not have to go too high at the auction."

He'd nod at that as well, thinking. "If you do not wish to see the Dome go, it is still a part of the region in the end. Nothing short of an army of Earth Mages would be able to relocate such a thing."
He'd chuckle softly while the cooks brought out small platters of finger foods, some wine for the drak sen and some tea for Vex to partake in. "Are you worried that the Dome would be changed if you were not there?" he'd ask curiously.
"If so, there won't be anything to worry about. I will make sure nothing is changed about it if that is the case. In any regard, no one will lose their positions here in Dethsiris when it is time for them to arrive here. The only thing that will be different is that Gabriel and Ray'El will seemingly report to me in the end about their findings."

Vexademus toyed with a cup and blinked at her own ink-stained hands. A tsk at her absent-minded miss and she swallowed, listening to what His Grace would have to offer in the way of advice. He had advised her before the first absence of Infernis and now...well. She sought to find assurance with the noble once more.
"I am worried that the Great Dome, which is part of the ruins first founded, will be...how shall I put it...made into something it is not. So many acolytes study there and the second floor has been finished to house the Menagerie, just as he intended. All it needs now are the animals, insects, plants and so on to fill. The third floor is being rendered and the fourth floor belong to him."

He'd nod after listening to her, and would spend a moment to think of what he could do then to preserve it as such if things came down to it. He'd bow head to the server that presented him with a goblet of wine before they would all leave the pair to discuss their issues as well as other things. "Well, I will make sure that nobody changes what has been done with it already, and that any future developments be presented to you for approval or disapproval so that the integrity and vision of the Dome remains intact as you wish it."
He'd present that as an idea to see if she would accept such, or perhaps negotiate ideas to mingle into something more agreeable.

The magess seemed extraordinarily humbled, a hand laid atop her shirted chest. The expression spoke volumes. "That you should offer help, Your Grace...I don't really expect so much generosity. After training with the flying lessons and that you've been so generous with the hatchlings of the mephos to others residing here within, I cannot. Nay, how about this...that you take tea with me occasionally and we can talk about the progress of the Great Dome? I'm trying to work with the land's magic so that it grows like the ruins from before. That it is more natural a place atop the mine than anything. We've had no problems of it and, in fact, had so much more blessing than usual. The aether there seems so very kind. Though, I think Rezith will still sour about the communications between all the kitchens and that Alexis should find lightness in her paperwork towards the trade of books, the appointments of celebrations within..." There was a curl to the corners of her mouth, "That many have been trained and are still training within the Tower of Knowledge."

He'd nod and smile. "That we can do, yes. I would not want to forget the visits to the Great Dome, even if to just see how things are within. It's been well kept, and offers much in the way of understanding what there is to discover here in the jungle," he'd comment, "I would not wish to see that taken away. Understanding and knowledge are good foundations to anything." The drak sen nodded at that before taking a sip of the wine.
"If anything, it could just become part of the region itself rather than simply be under the care of another if your new position may hinder your activities at the Dome," he mentioned, almost as if being inquisitive as well of the matter.

The woman reached out, barely showing the pine needles' splay of scars starting at wrist and going further up into her shirt from an hours long torture session of one villain'd torian. She'd provided him nothing but a few hours of amusement in vengeance of being affected by a spell during a rather somber funeral that both the magess and the scoundrel had attended. The ascension had left a delible mark on the sorceress. But, debts are always paid.
"Oh, do not worry yourself, Your Grace. I've spent time under the tutelage of Airy for the fae tongue. Angar, for the sylvan, and of course, the magi speak...well. Infernis was rather helpful in watching so that I had an idea of who to ferret out to learn that. There are markers inside the place and...underneath it, as well," she let out that tidbit.
"There is Gaea's language on some of the archways of the tunnels..."

He'd listened, smiling softly as she listed off her trainers of knowledge, and nod after mentioning the language being found elsewhere. "Interesting. That is good then. It seems we've got some ruins still intact that contain more of what is written. Hopefully we can discover more and then learn of this region's importance and role in this world," he'd comment. "It is indeed a shame that Infernis is unable to be present to share in this. Hopefully he may return when it is possible for him to, but I just could not let his position here grow stagnant, which is why I had appointed Risarah in his stead. Perhaps that is the cause of the ripples coming from the Empire, but until we know entirely, we can only just press on with our lives as we have always done."

She felt her stomach growl and she leaned forward, nibbling on a piece of that strange regrowth fruit encapsulated of cucumber and slathered with honey. She licked her lips and fingers of the stuff and chewed, leaning back with the teacup coming to her mouth once again.
A swallow was followed by another question, "When do you think that Dethsiris would be ready to trade with the mainland for some of the ingredients from here to there. Specifically from the jungles to the Apothecary? I know that some of the yellow flowers that keep away the stepping cats can be made into a balm with properties of a perfume..." She paused at his words as they sunk in with gravitas, "You believe his absence has caused a vacuum?"

His shoulders would shrug to the question, and he shook his head. "I am not sure, but if I had to wager a guess, yes. This region has some kind of ties to the Magi as well as to Gaea. To think that when we had first arrived, there were war machines here. Perhaps the two factions were at war with one another.. but it is hard to tell." he'd mention. "I believe we can possibly do so soon. I've discussed opening sea routes from here to other parts of the Empire to provide our own unique goods in exchange for some from the other regions. I may also begin hiring folks that wish to delve into the mines as well to retrieve some of the phoenix stones that lay beneath the earth. We've already been able to provide the mainland with some of the pups of the jungle, and a couple beetles."

Herer mouth watered at the mention of the beetles, but she was well to keep it hidden. It wouldn't do to admit to him that she'd developed a taste for beetle meat. Nor to his mount, Atlas, either. She wondered for a split second if the mount could smell it on her. Unknown to many, the great insects had a terrific sense of smell. She parsed that thought and nodded, "Glad to see that the ingredients wouldn't be transferred by portal. Some of those would be used for magical means and the fact that they'd be rendered changed by the lingering aether..." she trailed off. "Though, have you given thought as to who else would guard the shipments by sea? I mean, I know that House Dethsiris has command over naval forces. But, actually in the water, Your Grace. Would we have access to tribal merfolk?"

The noble nodded at that. "Yes, there is no telling what magical transport would do to these ingredients, especially the phoenix stones. Any sort of magical effect would most likely be amplified, or it would explode the stone itself. That would be disastrous," he'd comment, "We do have a small naval force, but the two ships that we have are of the largest types. If I recall, we do have a merfolk under employment, so his abilities in the sea could be very benefitial. Perhaps even summon others of his kind to assist and possibly join our oceanic forces." There was an admittance to that possibility.
"Aavran is our current admiral. I'm sure with our present forces, the shipments and ships would be well protected by force of might or magic."

The OverSeer gave a nod at his explanation and spoke up, "There are more here to help than were before. So many are loyal to Your Grace, and will heed the call if protection is needed, even leaving their own lands and small estates just for a few boxes of spices to transport," the shaper assured him. As it was, she had worked directly at the Apothecary today earlier. Though no sales had been made, time was spent talking to an elf that frequented the Great Dome. He walked around in not a lot of clothing and was often pulled into the students rooms. She'd probably have to collar him to the building itself because of his usefulness to keep the students entertained. Her expression became darker when she drew hands into her lap. She was thinking about the piece of jewelry given to her special someone. She frowned and sighed, thinking back on her mentor's words. They were ringing true. Again. Fuck if she hated him for being right. The apprentice rose those mahogany eyes and seemed pensive. And the human had been so only in the beginning, but since the drak's first words, she'd been calmed and reassured.

Now's come the time when the tea was ending. After some further conversation that delved into more knowledge about dragons and age, the woman was calmed. The Lord was a balm like that. Ever levelheaded and confident, she understood why he'd been appointed to reign in Dethsiris.
But she knew little of just how much he really had to shoulder.

[Vexademus]

Possible Mistaken Discovery - May 21, 2021

Out of normalcy, she had dredged to isolation. The preference of books and the scent of candle wax and vellum were preferable. The deciphering of text had given her a beautiful cryptograph to work with and some of the flowing writing she'd copied down was now providing interesting reading.
Curled up in the back of the grand library that she herself had stocked at master Infernis's command, in her favorite overstuffed chair, was where she pored over this particular entry. Only seven pages, front and back, she was reading and re-reading. Hair was slung around her in long waves, the scientific mix of alchemy and the spoken lyric. Those cherry wood eyes came across the same word, again and again: Venemorbius. Squinting her eyes so much that her lashes were blurring what she was reading and that crinkle of concentration between her well shaped brows, gave her the appearance of angry frustration.
Venemorbius.
She read several notes detailing the mention of the phoenix stones, words, and gestures that were laced with the language of it's dust. Licking her lips, she reached out and took hold of a glass of cold water, sipping and half-mouthing what she was reading with heavy koal'd eyes until she coughed, accidentally sputtering in choke off to the side. The shattering of her glass and the subsequent expulsion of said moisture trying to find its way out had her clutching the pages to her robed chest. She swallowed and calmed, face reddened from the fit as she wiped the sudden stream of black tears, in fact smudging earlier make-up.
Venemorbius.
What?
Couldn't be.
She read it again and again. If she was reading it right, this meant...a possible new type of magic.
Venemorbius.
But, if she was correct, it meant that it was exclusively poison magic. It made sense to her maniacal mind though. Logic dictated that most of the humid lands was dangerous in one way or another. And the stones, as much power as they had, were growing. Like an infection. If she were to lead this train of thought to it's conclusion, it would make sense on why everything in this land was so different. That regardless of life form, all had integrated this poison, causing all manners of forms to either die or adapt. Is this why she was so sick months ago?
Having that strange realization, she rolled up the pages and stuffed them away, sending a message spell free to the night study acolytes that there was something to clean in the library. Vexademus crawled out of her chair, grating crunch of broken glass under shoe being tracked away as she decided to find her chambers. Perhaps a fresh rested mind would be able to make more sense. Retiring to her quarters, the caster would have to think about this later to put it further into explanation. His Grace needed to know. The time they spent speculating usually led them to chase the solution. Half of her was troubled by the possibility.
The other half was exuberant to know more...

[Vexademus]

Copies of Gaean Text Accessible - May 24, 2021

It wasn't too hard. After her meeting with her Magi mentor, a lot of her questions were answered but...so many more took their place. Wasn't that how it always was though? Infernis had given permission for copies of the 'artifacts' to be able to be studied.

Softly gowned mage made her way from one of the labs that was frequented of her students and she, the woman finished of her teaching today and heading directly to her chambers. In her arms was carried vellum of practiced scribery from students, a little enveloped note with an important wax seal and the piles of copied parchment from the welcomed text of Gaea language once more. She was now in constant delivery acceptance so that she could begin again with trying to piece together further histories, old diaries with pinpointed location qualities, and possibly more to add into her floriography book. Vexademus had already penned certain extra meanings into the margins. Luckily, the book belonged to her.

After locking her door behind her, clumsily, she walked to her desk and simply dropped her armful. She would go through the pile and sort it later. Grabbing up the envelope, she walked to an overstuffed chair, stepped into it and settled down, curling herself up within it's boundary. She stared at the seal and ran her fingers over it admiringly.

Breaking the wax, she hurried into it's pocket and unraveled it, spreading it out to her cherry wood eyes and read over the scrawl with a pleasant smile. She could do that because she was alone. After reading the page, she brought it close and inhaled the page, then pressed it over her chest and sighed, looking off into the distance dreamily.

As if she'd not learned the first time. Though, in her defense, there were illuminations at the bottom of the page.

Knowing that she'd have to go through and grade pages as well as set aside some time to read and decipher more text, she sighed and crawled out of her chair, walking to her door and summoning a passing student to get word to the kitchen to have a late lunch delivered to her chambers. It was going to be a full day and probably a long night.

[Vexademus]

The Deal - June 7, 2021

Vexademus slowed SomeWhere to a canter and then slowed the beast's step. The magess wore her normal robery, the heat of the Dethsiris lands bringing her some comfort. The enchanted material gift writhed along her scarred flesh even as she turned and slid down to land with ease from the great shire draft, dropping a whole six and some change feet to land solidly on the ground, handing off the reins of the albino creature to a stallboy before smoothing the moving black cloth. Streaked mane shifted in the brreze and mithril circlet sparkled in it's show from between fringe at her brow, lengthy lashes fluttering blink as the spellshaper entered the establishment.

Varis was at the bar, in the Guzzler, having finished his spiel to those gathered, about the wonders of Kirva and seeing if any would want to join him in the temple in Dethsiris, but so far; no biters. He slips onto a stool and sighs, his back facing the stool next to him, ready to leave at a moment's notice. As the tender took his order of whiskey and food to go, Varis sighs while waiting for it. Those lavender eyes lifted as the door opened and the same woman from the previous night at The Lonely Inn entered, a nod was offered to her as he continued to wait for the ordered provisions.

She spotted the skin immediately, as she was apt to do. Though, she'd good reason to always be on the lookout for that particular color of flint, though she wasn't used to the midnight strands that accompanied it. Making her way directly to the man, she stopped at his side and chose a seat near him, already seeming as though she'd found what she was looking for. The spellbeggar's presence was somewhat a distaste for her, but barring that, she was interested in what help he could offer strength-wise. "Good morning, Varis. Seeing you today brings a measure of countenance - what has you at the Guzzler this morning?" A seeking inquiry, in case he'd other plans...

The dark elf scrowled a little when she headed for him, and then shook his head at her words. "Just waiting on my provisions so I can head back to the jungle and work on getting the temple finished cleared up and then clean. You?" He asked her and then grinned. "You got something exciting going on, don't you?" he asked. He may not be well educated, however, he heard the rest of what she said. She was looking for him perhaps....

The mage knocked thrice for a glass of cherry juice. She'd had the stuff when come to visit her minotaur friend, Thad. A pleasant tender and close friend, who she almost poisoned with a friendly dinner, but no one ever accused the magess of knowing how to cook. Now, when it came to alchemy, she was a wonder, but in the kitchen? A real curse. A slide of glassful had fingers wrapped around and the water immediately half gone. She wasn't bent on ceremony about sipping the stuff like it was liquor. Pressing rose lips tight, she listened and watched the dark elf. A pat at his shoulder, an uncharacteristic show of friendliness. "Looking for a strong set of hands actually. We spellcasters don't actually have much strength. Our muscle is demonstrated in our brain. What say you? Are you free? I'm thinking of heading to His Grace's keep. All the guests upon arrival head there and eventually find work. I'm sure you have enough on your plate, but a short jaunt shouldn't interrupt your entire day, mm?"

"You want something from me." He mused to the woman. "Aye, I'm strong, but I too, am a mage. So don't go thinking I'm ignorant or you're in for a nasty surprise. Aspiring to be a necromancer, but that's a long time aways...", he murmured, taking a drink of his water. She mentioned a quick endeavor, so perhaps she just needed him to lift a box or two. He could do that out of the kindness of his heart. "Sure. Let's go," he said after the tender got him the provisions for his trip to Kirva's Temple would be needed still. "Whatcha need, Vexademus?", he asked her as he stood, picking up the heavy bag up lik it was nothing, muscls flexing as h did this.

She finished her water and suddenly stood, gesturing for him to take precedence, "Have you been to His Lordship's keep? I've not explored the entirety of it but, I hear there is much interest in it's build. I mean, His Grace did make the Tower of Umbara. How much of a difference in design could it be except...bigger...?" Immediately, her stance changed, her actions becoming deliberate and her hand lacing out, "Aye, my apologies. For better introductions. I am the lead teacher at the Great Dome and the OverSeer of Magic for all of Dethsiris, under his Grace and for the empire, here in Dethsiris. That I mistook you for a simple tender and just a regular priest was my folly. Come. I have my horse SomeWhere outside. I'm sure that simply walking the road wouldn't do, especially with your charge of possessions. He can carry those too..." She began to the door and waited for him to pass beyond before giving a short whistle to summon the stallman. The great albino had only enough time to get brushed and watered, "'Tis not far though." She already began climbing up the opulent harnessing to attain the saddle, inviting him to fit his things into one of the loops and pull himself up behind her, robes already spooking like a school of fish.

He followed her outside but he didn't make any more for her horse, instead, the stable hand came out with a giant clydesdale, white in color except for his black mane, tail and booties. "I have my own horse, but thank you for the offer," he said, getting his pack atop Phantom's back. "His name is Phantom and he's a really good steed. He'll get me to the castle behind you with ease."

"And thank you for the apology," he said, shaking her hand. "A teacher at the Great Dome huh? -And- Overseer of Magic? How very interesting. When my magic becomes stronger, I must seek you out," he said, foot placed in the stirrup and mounting his horse, bringing Phantom close to SomeWhere. "Also, interesting name for your horse," he mused to her. Once they started going, he would ride his steed next to her. "No, I don't know my way around the castle too much. Not there often. Like I said the night previous, I mostly work in the temple. So what exactly do you want me for? Apparently for my muscles, but what exactly do you want, and what do I get in return for helping you?" he asked her.

She had settled into a soft bounce while riding next to her new acquaintance. "Good question, aye. Only that you seem strong and I thought you may be interested in what we're about to ...study. Seeing as how you work in the temple as a spel - a priest. And then the mention of you wanting to be an aethertongue, like myself. Well, a different kind, of course. The fact that you were for His Grace's learning; a necromancer. Not something I'm learned enough about as working with...dead things and death - isn't quite my forte..." She slowed SomeWhere, their horses walking now as the sight of the keep loomed closer, "But that I was mistaken on what you wanted to do. I assumed that since you worked at the temple, your goal was different. But, finding this out about you...makes it easier for me, I suppose. You'll have to forgive my distaste for the clergy. I've not put much stock in creatures that depend on the gifts of deities. It's a personal flaw, I know." Quite an honest reflection aloud. The mage continued, "I'm not too knowledgeable about the keep, but I do hear that they have an underground research place. Perhaps, if Lord Archaon is about, he would show us. But, as that would seem presumptuous, let's see if we can find our own way. A kind of adventure, perhaps?" There was a glint in her voice as they neared the gates.

Varis nods as he listens to Vex speak, grinning some as she explained her assumptions about him. "Well, to be perfectly frank, I don't expect gifts from the Goddess, I give her gifts instead. I just want other moriel to know that Kirva loves her children and that we are her chosen people, both female and MALE." He stressed the male word. "I hate how moriel males are treated, and I wanted to have a temple where males can worship without harrassment from women... but that's neither here nor there," he said, nodding to the guard as they passed the gates. "And yes, that does sound quite fun," he said with a grin, "Finding secrets is always fun and exciting." he said with a chuckle. "Once I get enough money to buy land and a home here in Dethsiris, then I'm going to give up the Inn job and the Naked Bird job and get something here instead. It's just beginner's work for now," he said to Vex. Once at the castle, he would dismount and handed the stablehand the reins of Phantom, collected his bag, and slings it around his shoulder. "Ladies first." He said.

Her draft shire stopped and she was climbing down carefully, leading the horse to hand off. Always carrying that satchel across her body to hang on left hip, she'd nothing to take from her mount. Instead, she followed along and then took precedence as he gestured, stopping to exchange a few words with the guards in local tongue, clicks heard as she spoke a derivative of the Gaean language; asking about their health and families. It was important to her that she did this almost every time. The fact that the land had suffered so much loss from the wildgrowth plague had her feeling as though this was needed. She nodded at their quick exchanges and immediately carried on, entering the place. It was huge. Much larger than it seemed outside. Standing in the foyer a moment, starting steps began again and she made small talk, learning, "I know some about moriel from my time spent with Rezith. He is..a very good teacher. I myself knew nothing of the Gloom ways before meeting my first dark one. I still think I'm quite unlearned about the culture, but to know about them helps. Perhaps, sometime, you can enlighten me further. I had only read surface books on how they are cruel creatures with no real ambition but to rape, kill, and eat other peoples. You can imagine my surprise when I was taught that books don't always give the whole story, no matter how many volumes have been written about a subject." She turned a corner, nodding to some more guards. Hells Bells, they were everywhere! But this was the Lord's castle. She inquired with a clicking question and one of them pointed back the way they'd come. Turning about, she began walking towards a new hallway that sloped downwards, "I myself know what you speak of as a beginning job. I worked at the weapons place; Might Makes Right, during my earlier years. I thought perhaps I could be helpful but...as I have no real strength, it was more along the lines of knowledge of selling..." A shrug, "I suppose we correct our direction as we travel along, mm?" A comparison for their flow of conversation to the inquiry of their destination. Astute.

Varis moved with Vex, by her side after entering the castle. Those lavender eyes looked about as she spoke with the guards in their native tongue, and he too was learning that local tongue himself. "I wasn't here for the plague," he said softly "But besides being not in the middle of it, I wish it had ended quicker than it did. So many people died..." He sighs. He looked around when Vex talked to another set of guards and turned around to go back up the hallway. "Indeed. Beginner jobs are always necessary. There's some plots of land I want to look at and then some land in Nathalion as well. My heart lives in town, so I want to be as near to him as much as I can.", he explained. He chuckles a bit as he imagined her working at the MMR. "My apologies, I'm not laughing at you, I'm chuckling at the fact you took the weapons and armor shop as your first job. But, you would learn many things while working there, so it makes sense." He nods when she spoke of the direction they were going. "Has to be somewhere... what are we doing again?", he inquired. He had a photographic memory and knew damn well she didn't tell him what they would be doing, just that she needed his strength.

They rounded a corner, the walls becoming more natural-seeming and cooler. They were descending and the air was the first to clue them in. Each step became easier, not so much humidity and more breezes wafted through the corridors. A couple of times had them double back and find a different hallway. But finally, they reached an open area where walls were actually painted bright to reflect illumination and there were tables lined with instruments along with hanging glowing bright baubles and some attendants keeping things clean. Though, the room smelled like floral disinfectant, they entered anyway. In the center of the room was a massive table with a much larger creature splayed out, face up. The membranous wings were stretched to either side with other tables to promote support of it. The mageling stopped and stared, at a loss for words. She'd never seen a bat this large before. It's mouth was open and nose pushed up, large ears limp but open. "Th-this...is what we'll be doing, Mister Varis. This. Thing..."

Varis stopped as they entered the room when those lavender eyes moved to the dead bat thing that laid there. "That... is a huge ass bat. Don't tell me they live here too!", he exclaimed excitedly, moving towards the dead thing. He stood next to Vex and nodded. "So... what exactly are we going to do with this thing?" he asked her. He was clearly excited. Not only was it unique, it was also dead. He hadn't had much time to dive into his necromancer skills. "What do you need me to do? I'll help you in any way that I can, Miss Vexademus," he said to her eagerly.

The mage rose a hand to pause, moving it to her chin. The deep thought was scrawled across her features and she was still at a loss. "I want. Hm. I want this to be a gift. Something like this would make a great present, if preserved well." She moved closer, Varis in tow. Once they stood next to each other, looking at the thing, she begin to consider that it might be too heavy for her to move. Looking through periphery at the dark elf, she nodded, "We need to figure out wh- how, we're going to fit this into a jar." It seemed impossible. But not so much, as she was already making calculations as to how much fluid they would need. And, to see Varis working physically, well, that was just a bonus.

"We're going to need one hell of a jar," he said and tilts his head, "First thing we need to figure out is where we're going to put this jar and go from there. I know how to make a jar...I used to do glass blowing when I was younger. I was forced to stop when my sister realized I was perfect material for a breeder. But, I think I could make something that would hold this. Will take some time, but I can think of something," he said and moved to another table to put his pack down, opening it. He pulls out a measuring tape and moves to the bat thing, beginning to quantify size, writing it down on a notepad he also pulled out from his pack. "And just who are you going to gift this to anyways?" He asked her, still measuring.

The spellshaper nodded at his earlier comment and then seemed to distract when he spoke of his sister culling him as breeding material. She cocked a brow and didn't ask for further details, instead answering his question about whom she meant the gift for, "Why, His Grace, of course. At the Dome, we have a live menagerie. So, I'm under the impression - the live one is already there. For study and care-taking. Aye, Mister Varis - I didn't know that they grew so large either. This is amazing. Dead, but amazing."

"Good. I don't mind giving this thing to the Lord of Dethsiris. He is a good and just man," he said, finishing up his measuring bits. "Okay. So, I can make a box to hold it... a mostly glass box, but I will need materials for making said box. But, it would be best to build the box where it will be in permanent location. I have no interest in moving the box around, especially when I start assembling it. Plus, I will need a lot of sand, a forge, and my materials that I'm making a list for. Does that help at all?" He asked her, not looking her way.

She nodded slowly, finally tearing her gaze away. "You had said that you could make a large jar, Mister Varis. The beaches here can give up as much sand as you'd need. I'd like it if you could make it with me. My magic can do great things; play with gravity, heat sand to said temperatures...if you could shape it into a domed tube, I would much appreciate it. Casting that much magic inside this place should be alright, I think. Filling it with the liquid after the creature is fixed inside it; that's going to be challenging. I already know that a mixture of elven clear liquor used to make the drink Princess at the Inn and at the Guzzler will be used. Plus..." she shrugged somewhat distasteful, "Gathered fish piss. Great..."

Varis walks over to the table to his gear and looked at the measurements, listening to Vex at the same time, nodding. "If your magic can do all that, then yet, I can make a domed jar for the thing," he said and then looked to her as she listed off materials she would need, and frowns at the last ingredient. "Fish piss? Are you for real?" He asked her and sighs. "The best way I can think of is to get lots of fish in a smallish tank and leave them there for a while. The fish piss will be there in concentrate," he offered, leaning back against the table watching her.

A nod at his question, "The tank itself will have to be agitated to help create more ammonia. They inexorably get nervous and create the stuff. Which, in turn, kills them eventually because the water becomes saturated with it." She looked around quickly, fetched a torn piece of parchment and a charcoal pencil, sketching out the measurements to show him, leaning close and pointing at it with taps of the pencil, "Eight feet tall and almost nineteen feet in circumference. Bottom will be sealed in, pushed into a tight and wet wax sealant. I know that metal can be used, but I wouldn't want to damage the glass. Do you think this is reasonable?" She showed him what she needed, "How much sand would be needed to achieve this?"

Varis looked over her measurements and nodded. "It's very do-able." He said after studying the numbers for a bit. "Between the two glass containers; at least 3 tons of sand. The domed jar for the bat will need to be thick so it can hold the liquid safely. The one for the fish doesn't need to as thick. Where do we get the fish? Is there somone we can ask to obtain them? Like maybe someone from the navy you got here?" He asked her, writing down the total list of items they would need for this project.

There was some thought about that. She'd never ordered that quantity of fish before. Offering him a look of blank unease, she shrugged, "I..have no idea. I would say the naval forces, but honestly - who would want to scoop fish when guarding our surrounding waters..." Her face brightened a bit, "Perhaps a large task set to someone or many someones inside the House?" Though, any kinds of fish would work. What about camerie? She wrinkled her nose, remembering the last time she'd actually ridden one. Or rather, was taken for a ride by the trickster thing, right after it sneezed dripping goo on her. Yuck. Going back to the calculation, "Alright. How much mehrial would you charge for the glass containers?"

"Tasking an aid to get the fish is a good idea. I'm sure they would have fun." He chuckles. "I won't help with that. I don't have any sea legs." He said and then hums softly when she asked about making these things. "The greedy side of me wants 1000 mehrial, but the other side of me wants to know what you think would be reasonable, so let's go with that. What do you think is reasonable?", he asked her. "It's going to be a lot of work, but I'm willing to do it in the name of Kirvam" he said.

Vexademus is reminded that he seems not a spellbeggar, but more a ghostmouth. She nods and thinks a moment. "Rough bargain. I can do 700 mehrial, Mister Varis." She knew that the transport of sand would be hard and heavy, as well as how they were on a timed limit. Fixing the creature before it decayed wouldn't be a problem, but getting the creature into position inside the glass might be. The mage looked over it's body and nodded. "I wonder who else might want time with this thing before I give it to His Grace?"

"I'll take it then." He said and offered a hand to seal the bargain. "When can we start? And why not ask some of the other necromancers here?" He asked her. "I'm sure one of them would want to try and revive it first," he said with a chuckle, "And we need to get this thing inside of the jar as soon as possible. But if a necro can revive it, hopefully they can save it from rotting first." he said.

She shook his offered hand, her own ink-stained and soft, from all of the work with vellum, quills, and book pages. She nodded, "I suppose. But, I've only met so many. Miss Mae was at the celebration not long ago. I remember overhearing that she was dealing in the deads' ways. Perhaps I can get a message to her. And, when would you like your payment?" A blink of those lengthy lashes as she considered when to push the massive payment to the dark elf. Not that she didn't like spending time with the flint-colored creature, just that she was busy and he seemed to be as well.

"You pay me when you think I earned it. And there is a short little creature here in nothing but a black cloak floating around with undead things behind her. Perhaps her as well? Maybe this Mae knows her." He offered. "And when do you want to meet up with the sand for me to start making the glass containers?" he asked her, "The sooner this is done, the better. If it proves too difficult, or too irritating, I may up the ante. I'm sure there are others who can help you pay me for this gift to your Lord," he said with a nod.

She made a small noise in her throat and then cleared it. "I can have the sand to you in that amount in two days. Also, the liquid will be made, come hells or gaeadamned water. I want this gift to be ready as soon as possible."

He nods. "Send it to the Temple of Kirva. I'll work on it there as that's the only place I have to work on things, as I don't have a home here. I doubt the Guzzler wants me to work on it there." He said. "Will that be a problem?" He asked. "I'm already packed to head there. I'll get what I need to do - done, by the time the sand comes. You'll be there with the magic, correct? You can work on the liquid stuff there as well. No one visits so there will be no questions asked.

Vexademus rose brows at his invitation. Her? In a temple? Well..."I. I will attend, aye. But, I have to confess, I feel uncomfortable in places of worship, Mister Varis. I just want you to know this..." The aura of the human seemed to shrink. She was all Take-Charge in many other matters but sincerely disliked the feeling of being in buildings that housed practical religion as well as being in the company of those that held such righteous and high faith. "Do I..? Am I supposed to wear something special...or do...or greet differently..?"

He chuckles. "We're there to work, not worship. Just doing this for Kirva will be enough for Her, I think. Plus, it will win favor with Lord Archaon and that, in itself, will earn everything that the goddess Kirva would want." He said. "Don't worry, Vex," seeing her nervousnss of this. "Nothing bad will happen to you. There are a lot of spiders there, but that's the only bad thing you may worry about if you are afraid of insects. But they won't hurt you or bother you. They'll probably just ignore you and follow me around. But that's the only place big enough to do both projects without question and without peeping toms."

The magess nods, "I do not have a problem with insects, serpents, or really anything else of that ilk. Just..." and she seemed to whisper this more to herself than to anyone in particular, "Impropriety..." Clearing her throat once more, she double-glanced at the dark elf and inhaled a great breath, giving a tap to the page and then rolling it up and handing it to him. "Specs. I'm sure your work is grand. As for the fish...that may take a bit. Though, I'll have the fluid ready to go when it's all ready to set up. Behind and pedestal'd beyond the throne of His Grace. I'm sure that he would very much like that."

The dark elf nods. "I'll need to measure that so I know what the base of the dome glass will be, otherwise I got everything I need, once the sand and your magic is there, of course." He said, taking the specs from Vex and putting them into his bag. He then puts the bag on his shoulder and nods to Vex. "Show me this pedestal, please." He requested.

She turned and stepped a few paces, tearing off another piece of parchment and scribbling out the radius of the base, "Marble. It will be of the ruined kind left over near the Dome. I'll have it polished and sent over." Calculations shown that it would be large than the cylinder and carved deep to hold the dimension of the glass; filled into it's bored out crevice will be wax sealant. If Varis leaned close to look, he would definitely be covered in that scent that always hung about the mage; moss, hyacinthe, and ozone.

"That works for me." He said to Vex as he indeed leaned over to the mage. He inhaled her scent but didn't say anything about it. He smelled of tobacco and cloves, and a bit of his horse, Phantom, but mostly tobacco and cloves. "Thanks. Anything else? 'Caus I have a lot to get done at the temple before you come in two days time with the sand."

She handed him the piece after rolling it up, "Only...good luck. I'm sure that your work will be excellent. I'll have everything ready soon." She looked back to the bat and crossed her voluminous-sleeved arms, bringing fingers up to touch her lips, accidentally getting charcoal on the bottom tier as she mused in thought.

He nods to Vex, "You will get my best work, Madam Vexademus. I promise you that." He said and sees the charcoal bit. He points to his own lips. "You gotta, little charcoal smear..." He said, and then reached over and if allowed, would try to rub it away.

The caster looked over at his second set of words, touching her chin and getting smeared there before thumb passed over her lower lip and she froze with the soft light watermelon pink spreading patchy over her cheeks. Taking a step back, she nodded with a swallow, "I thank you, Mister Varis. I'll be sure to wash my face soon..." Did she not like to be touched or just, touched by him? Looking back to the bat, she was distractedly idling, "This is going to be a massive undertaking..though, I think it will be for all the right reasons. Why not have a trophy on display for the lord?" Was she talking to him or herself?

He nodded and cleared his throat as he looked to the creature on the table. "It shall be a great trophy." He said to Vex and offered her a smile, as if he felt the odd vibes coming off of her. "You're going to do great with it. Don't worry about it." He said, and goes to leave the room unless stopped. "I'll get out of your hair, Vexademus. Thanks again for this opportunity."

The magess didn't think him sinister, but he didn't know that. The mage didn't look at him as she spoke, "Thank you for the encouragement, Mister Varis. I'm looking forward to seeing his face when presented with it." She glanced in periphery as he excused himself, watching him walk away. That gait of his was studiously studied, ass admired, even as he vanished round the corner. Looking back to the dead thing, she mused again, touching her lower lip and again, absently smearing it with charcoal.

[Vexademus]

Lord Archaon's Gift - June 07, 2021

Varis stood there, just staring at the sand that was dumped near the temple and the rigged forge he'd need for melting it. At six and a half feet tall with muscular build, he was dressed in long black pants and a white tank top. His black hair was pulled into a bun and those lavendar eyes gleamed while waiting for the others to arrive. Vaden was in the temple changing his attire, as Varis told him it was going to be dirty work to make a large glass container for fish and then to make one for the dead bat.
Vaden had changed into clothes that were covered in paint; old clothes that looked a little ratty, a little torn. His ears flicked a touch as he came out and stood quietly in the doorway, to watch the sand getting dumped, a deep breath coming as he clutched his book under his left arm. That tail swayed.

Vexademus made sure that she dismounted SomeWhere by climbing down. After vaulting off the ornate saddle so many times, it was funny that she'd eventually hurt herself. Tying him off at a post near the temple, she wiped her face and looked around, shadow-licked mane held back and rivulets already working down her spinal column beneath her arch magi robes. The depths of the jungle for the Kirva temple were expected of their humidity but that didn't prevent her from sweating. Still, the mage liked it. The fish would be delivered soon. If the glass casing would be ready and cooled, the process could begin immediately. As well, soft shoes took her to the entrance of the temple and she swallowed before making her way inside. She didn't like places like this. "Hello? Hello??" she was already calling out, looking around.

Mae was riding her black majestic warhorse followed by two undead wolven. The black winged torian beauty wore a sexy black dress, her whip on her hip and black heels. She hadn´t been to this temple before but she received a message that her powers were needed. A large dead bat..well..that was something that caught her interest. She wasn´t there yet, but it wouldn´t take much longer now before she would arrive.

Varis watched Vexademus walk past his giant Clysdale and himself as she entered the temple and calls out to her.
"Out here!" He had told her it would be in the temple, but once the sand got there, he realizd he didn't want to clean up the temple *again*. He chose to have the sand dumped off to the side of the building. Varis moved towards Vex before she'd get to far down the stairs to the underground portion of it.

"It's over here." he said softly, gently trying to take her by the hand and lead her to the pit pile. Once there, he would nod to the *enormous* amount of sand pile and nods.
"We got the sand and have the "forge" in place. Just need you to start your magic. Someone's headed this way. One of your people?" He asked her while motioning for Vaden. Once he arrived to the dark elf's side, he would smile to his beloved. "Vexademus, this is Vaden. Vaden, this is Vexademus. She's the one supply the heat for the two glass containeres we're making." Varis was ready to go with this.

Vaden's ears flicked a touch as he looked to the mage, giving a small nod to the woman before his attention went to Mae, the catboy watching her for a moment while he adjusted his painter's clothes. "Nice to meet you," was said politely, inclining his head with a dip of red eyes briefly before finding gaze on Varis once more.

The OverSeer acquiesced, then she answered, "Aye. Aye. Magic and all that..." She looked over the sand pile and inhaled. It was a lot.
"I have the aether and energy. Let's get to work shall we?"
She glanced Mae and motioned her to join, "Yes, this is Miss Mae. And, an honor to meet you, Vaden." She bowed her crown and gestured, black velveteen robes dark and writhing still, as if alive. "This should be a fun endeavor."

When Mae arrived, she would dismount made sure the horse got everything it needed before joining the rest, her hips asway in her gait. Her two large undead wolven would follow her like bodyguards. Leaning weight to one hip, placing a hand on it as blue eyes surveyed the others. A teasing look and a grin on her lips. ¨Hello Miss Vexademus. I hope you have been alright?¨ She offered her hand to the couple, ¨Mae, pleasure meeting you two.¨ would come polite greeting.

The dark elf snorted, "Fun is one word for it," said with a grin, walking to start the fire to heat the sand to melt. "Vaden, don't forget to pour the melt onto the tool we made for making the jars, okay?" He reminded, giving the halfblood a loving smile before looking to the torian. "Varis. Pleasure. Let's get going." He responded, beginning to stir the portion of sand when the heat was applied to it. He and Vaden would be working together to start creating the bottom of the container for the fish to be in first.


The half-kit nodded lightly to Mae, taking her hand to give it a shake, "Vaden," before he joined Varis, brows knitting. He wasn't sure about this whole thing but he was glad to work with the dark elf.

Caster produced assent to Mae even though that face never really cracked smile, there was pleasance. Tipping her head as if listening to the wind, of which there is none, one could assume an incoming Message. And sure enough, up came the voluminous sleeve and whispered down into it. Another casting had her doing an entire preview of the area in full three hundred sixty degrees with strange silvery gaze glazed over. The spell faded and the return Message was sent off. A couple blinks and she followed along, shortly, "Where would you like the first of heat and where would you like the first of focused gravity?"

"Here, in the forge for the heat." he said, pointing to the square furnace he made the previous night. The special hearth was compressed, to keep the heat inside to help *cook* the sand.
He gestured, "That is where I want the first container made. Mae," He said looking at her with a frown. How could she be dressed like that in the heated jungle, especially as wet as it was, and about to do some hard labor? "Once I start blowing, would you mind assisting Vaden in pouring the melted glass on my tool? I have a feeling just one person won't keep up with it and I need to concentrate on blowing and shaping it."

She would squint for a moment when Varis didn't shake her hand and thought it kind of rude. Well, she wasn't here for childish behavior. She gave Vaden a smile as he accepted her hand in turn.
She inquired, ¨So, where is the dead body?¨ Then Varis inquired task of her. Was she going to make a container? She had never done that before. She noticed the frown. Judging her. Well, she didn't know what his problem was but he better not piss her off. Not wise to anger a necromancer. Especially not Mae. She agreed, ¨Of course.¨
At least his companion was more friendly. A smile was then laid at the dark elf, still flanked by her minions.

Vexademus responds to the previous question, "It will be delivered here soon. The acolytes had to secure it to a flat surface for teleportation. The fish will arrive the same way, only..." she left off the rest of that because she needed the fish tank up and filled first. The mage strode nearer to the forge, only close enough to focus and stare. She was quiet for a long few moments. As if she heard nothing but her breathing; unblinking. Pulling up her huge sleeves, she exposed the chaotic patches of silvery scars that started from wrists and possibly carried onwards up further, into the clothing. Intonations rose from throat and she went back and forth between burning fingers and a subtle'd energy bolt, growing it hotter and hotter.
"Just...tell me....when..." came the subtle tense reply.

"Now." he answered, and when the energy bolt was cast, he continued to stir the sand in the heat and took the glob of glass out of the furnace to place it at the end of a long blowing pipe. A shift of the pipe once it was bubbled on the end, he would set it down on a block, rolling it back and forth as he shaped it with a metal tool, all the while using thick padded gloves to protect his hands. The bauble form into an ovular shape. After that, it was up to Vaden and Mae to help get the sand into the forde and bring it to the form, to further shape and blow it as needed. Thankfully, he had memorized the jar figures that Vaden and himself had come up with. Shyntolin's slave worked quickly. He moved sand into the forge to make sure there was plenty, and then a molten glass glob was collected with metal rod, the halfcat having put on thick leather gloves also to do the work with.

The sorceress strained a little, having cast the spells accordingly with rather simple somatic and viable spill of incant, showing some drain. The components weren't too hard, bits of ash and lightning fixed thin glass crinkled within palms; back and forth. She was even heard to slide forththe word 'Fusilia' to better help, heating the furnace surrounding the fires. Not too hot though. She couldn't risk meltingthe forge. There was a frenetic glance at periphery, not daring to look for lack of concentration.

Mae would join Vaden to help him with pouring the melt on his tool. She was careful with grace. It wasn't like she could prepare the dead creature yet as it hadn't arrived so she would simply assist where she could.

Varis's top was half wet at the start, but the rain that started to fall only made him soaked, the fabric clinging to his form. Toned musculature flexed with each movement while constantly providing attention to blow into the piping and turn the shaping tool. With each glob that was added, the glass became thicker and longer; the oval shape starting to form more clearly now.
"You're both doing great!" he complimented as he hunched over to blow into the piping. Once done, he quickly put it down and ran back to the other side to continue to shape it bfore the next portion was put on.

Vaden seemed to dour more as the rain started, those ears flicking while moving to help. He stirred the sand as well, then ferried lumps of fresh glass over to Varis with Mae's assistance. It was very hot. He wiped his forehead on the back of his sleeve.

The mage couldn't see what was happening. So intensely was she centralized on making sure none of the aether escaped the coil within her midsection to be conversated out; the movements of hands to signify where she was pointing and aiming those spells, again and again. Unnoticed of the hurrying creatures to pour and skittering steps to move and position for Varis went by without her knowledge. The magess was falling into the magic and it was so delicious! Visible patches of blush began to run down from temples to cheeks to throat shown, alongside the rivulets of raindrops and salted sweat. The woman would be veritably soaked by task's end.

As the black winged torian didn't mind the rain, she would nod succinctly at Varis's compliments and returned to the task of helping Vaden. She hadn't expected manual labor but, no matter. She was an aid after all; it was her job. Besides, it was an honor that Vexademus had asked her to use magical talent.

The glass smith shaman continued the project, casting glances at Vex in the knowledge that she was concentrating, thus why he didn't say anything to her so as to interrupt. As both assistants moved to help with the dark elf's work, the container for the fish was speculated to be finished within two hours. After that, he let his lover know, "You can stop, Vaden. Check the containers to ensure I got it right, please."
His upper torso heaved up and down with each labored breath. He stepped to Vex and puts a hand on her shoulder, "You good?"

The wizard had tapered the spells down and when that checking hand came to rest on her shoulder, she shut her un-koaled eyes and sniffled. A snort of rainwater and moisture then she wavered on her feet. A swallow and she was nodding, dryness of throat making it hard for her to utter, "Water. More than what's on me right now..." Calm and ease and what looked to be satiation worked across visage as she rocked forward and back in stance, looking around while still blinking, wondering exactly where to go to sup. The next round would be vigorous as she would have to employ gravity spells soon.

He then nodded to all, "Provisions are in the temple's main room. The Inn was generous with what they gave us. Vaden set it out so he can tell you what we were supplied with." Those lavender eyes settled pleasantly.

The halfbreed scurried back and forth and back and forth with Mae, working hard, but not as hard as Vexademus or Varis. The kitten's tail swayed briefly, and several times he wanted to ask Varis to rest but, he didn't. The kitten looked over the containers, going slow, inspecting everything and comparing it in his head to the drawings they had made the day before, then he nodded, "It looks perfect. Matches up very well. Now rest for a time."

Mae had assisted Vaden and it seemed that they could stop. She would stand up and scanning the rest, spoke to Varis. ¨If you need some extra strength; my wolven could help you.¨
She leaned on one hip and crossed her arms, making her breasts push up. She would just follow their lead. Her eyes shifted to Vexademus. She could see that the woman was tired, hopefully she could keep it up. Of course, Mae had her magic as well..but it was more focused on the law of death.

When Vaden moved to Varis to tell him that everything matched up, he reached out to hug him. "You did great, my love," he whispered into his ear, and kissed behind it. Letting Vaden go, he nods. "We'll rest once we're inside," then moved to Vex to pick her up. Being hefted, she didn't complain, large ass just hanging from the bridal carriage the dark elf offered, one voluminous sleeved arm slung around the back of his flint neck. "Water is in the temple. Follow me," he told the others, carrying her like she weighed nothing to the Temple's entrance, down the stairs. Once in the main sermon room, a lavish picnic was shown to have been set up by Vaden. The sorceress felt the coolness assault her as they entered another area and then settled down onto a hard surface; a pew. After settling her, he grabbed a wineskin with water inside, holding it out to her. "Here's some water, sip it gently. Don't want or need you to have a belly ache. We still have the main tube to make." he reminded the witch. She shook a little, bringing it to mouth to sip; as he said.

The assistant kitten smiled as Varis did, hugging him back and shivering from the whisper and the kiss. His cheeks went pink, then he looked upward, "Does it always rain here?"
He turned to Mae, motioning for her to follow. "Let's take a break."
Magic was a mysterious thing to him. How did someone learn to conjure fireballs, or reanimate the dead? He could work with nature, and supposed that was strange enough. He followed Varis inside.

Vexademus barely heard the arrival of the marblized base on floating disc when a couple of acolytes blundered to the front of the temple. She was more concerned on getting something to wet her throat and tongue. She felt like she'd been licking a rather lengthy piece of pumiced shag carpeting and the exertion had made her all the more giddy if not feeling half-exhausted. The woman hadn't known what it had been like to bail hay for hours, but she had a good guess that that's what this was akin to.

The black winged torian would squeeze her eyes shut. Well, she offered Varis some help but clearly he had something against her. She would look at how Vaden and Varis were hugging and she would make a mental note of that. Always useful to keep eyes open for information. She watched Vaden when he motioned her and she would follow him. Her two undead shadowed her, guarding their mistress. She would just take a seat and crossed her legs, exposing one of the limbs. The necromancer surveyed the group while taking sips from her own drink.

The Inn had supplied them well. Random sandwichs with cheese, meat, and condiments were in other containers. Once Vex took a sip, he looked to Mae and offered her a tired smile, "Thank you, Mae, for your help. I couldn't have done it without you; all of you. Our Lord of the Land will be quite pleased with his gift." He plopped down in a pew behind Vex. "Take a break, eat and drink. I did have them bring some coffee and tea, there's in the tall containers, if wanted. Figured we might need the caffine. And yes, Vaden, it always rains here. It's a rain jungle, the temperatures and the atmosphere encourages it. Besides, the rain helped to keep the sweat out of our eyes." He said, leaning back and relaxing with hands behind his head and closing his eyes.

Vaden stepped to the side to make sure Mae and her undead could find somewhere to sit. Then he began to serve. He was a slave, after all. Not Varis', but he knew everyone was tired and worked hard. He turned to Vex and Mae, "May I get you ladies anything?" he asked while serving water to Varis.

Vexademus found the water to be relieving. It made her throat cramp a little, suffering unsticking and then she drank a little more deeply, lips mending a line across face while she sniffed again. Her face still bore the signs of pink, which had headed to a soft purple on her cheeks. The work was almost done. She needed to get to the fish tank. Message careened into her ear and she nodded, leaning up sleeve to whisper into the velvet, murmur barely audible. Looking to those who had joined her, holding a hand out to Vaden, "I have to get to the tank. Square footage of water and fishes into a place that I see." Never one to stop for too long, she was already trying to stand and set aside the skin. It was for His Grace. The mage wouldn't want to do anything to muss her mentor's reputation either; Infernis's pupil being brilliantly stubborn.

Mae would respond to Varis's gratitude, "You're welcome. But if you do need physical help, my wolven can assist."
Her blue eyes went to Vaden and gave a friendly warm smile. "Just sit and rest, sweetie. You need your strength as well." She would give him a wink and then looked at the sorceress, "You know it is important to rest. I understand you want to continue, but we both know that isn't the wisest to do now. So, rest." she would say with a friendly but firmly tone. Not really demanding, but she was serious about it. If Vex would become too tired, her magic could become dangerous. So it was foolish to not have herself in balance. Mae helped herself to some sandwiches, speaking around the food, "When you have caught your breath, maybe you could tell me more about this bat? I heard there was also a living one captured?" She asked curiously, wanting to have as much infomration as possible.

The shaman was sipping the water from Vaden when Vex tried to stand. He moved to her and nods. "I'll carry you up there. Is the water and fish on their way now? How close are they?" He asked her as he tried to pick her up once more. "After securing the fish and water into the tank, you will need to take a rest and eat, Vexademus. You need it before the tube for the bat. That's only going to be more taxing on you and you need to rest some more as well." He softly scolded her, and once he had her in his arms, he would move to walk up the stairs. Vexademus spoke, turning an eye to Mae, "I wouldn't want to disappoint my teacher, Miss Mae. But, you must be right, mm? Don't worry..." And up she went! Into that bridal hold once more, carried of uneven figure as if she weighed nothing more than just a bundle of sticks. The fact that he was commanding her to rest upon receiving the stuff - that was fine. He paused mid-stairs when Mae spoke and nods to her. "I will keep that in mind, but blowing and shaping is very important, and skill one has to have. If your undead wolven can help you two with the melt and delivery, that would be great. But, Vex WILL rest once the fish and water is in the first holder. We need them to cloud the water so we have to get up there to make sure they get into the tank safely."

Vaden frowned a little as those two went right back to work, an offer of a smile given to the necromancer before he grabbed a sandwich half and followed them up the stairs. He also picked up that lavender sketch book on his way by. "..I would like to see the live bat." His ears flicked a touch as he glanced back. "Eventually."

The mage couldn't really fight it. Once set down to stand, she leaned over and peered into the tank. Whispers into the surrounding aether and she blinked to concentrate her entire vision of it. Just as the last of her murmurs died down, she immediately stepped back, practically bumping into Varis in the action. It was just enough when suddenly, an entire ten gallons appeared! and then sploshed into the tank! Again and again. Each time provided more fish and water, the tank filling. Her sight had been sent with scrying and Message to several acolytes who were situated near a beach that had been invited onto property.

The torian necromancer would simply nod to the both of them, not really caring to argue. She came here to do her job. A smile back to Vaden. "Oh you will see the bat moving." She finished her sandwich, stood up, left free a deep sigh and just followed the group again with her two undead wolven. She would lean against the building as she watched Vexademus do her thing, crossing her arms, while observing what was going on.

Varis was indeed right behind the spellcaster and when she stepped back, so did he, but he put his hands on her shoulders to steady her. Once the tank was filled with water, he murmured into her ear, "Now they do their part in this. You are going back downstairs to the temple to rest, for at least an hour."

A look to Vaden and Mae. "Going back down for a good while now. Rest is needed by all," then picked Vex up and headed towards the entrance. He paused, "Mae, your wolven are undead, right? Keep them at the temple entrance so no one can come sneak in on us, if you don't mind. This way those who want to nap can. If that's okay for you?" he asked. She would nod, turning to her wolven guard and they would hand her a bag, starting to walk to the entrance to guard. Well, Aavran would have to accept that she came home late. "If you don't mind, I like to prepare a working place for me before the body arrives." She said. "You can all rest. I shall look for myself." Mae would push off from the wall and walk further in the temple. Looking for a suitable place. He nodded and began to carry Vex down the stairs to return her to the pew, giving her the waterskin again. "Drink, Vexademus. You need it. Care for me to fetch you something to eat?" He ask her softly.

Vaden smiled a little as he saw the tank filled with fish and water! Oh goodness, how incredible was that? He leaned in to peer at the fish, smiling a little before he turned to head back downstairs. His ears flicked a touch as he looked around the temple moving to finish off the half of sandwich he had left behind, munching hungrily.. He would eat a good lunch today.

Vexademus had nodded assent to his whisper, the concise measures of her transportation of being literally hammocked about was kind of nice. Not one used to being 'litter-born', she was settled back down. Looking to Mae when the shaman spoke, she seemed more at ease. There was something else. "Vaden..can you do the honors? The fish..." She paused, calming her breathing and thoughts to spill secondary sentence, "The fish need agitation. A knock every few minutes for the next hour. That should produce what I need. You can use knuckles or a stick. It doesn't need to be hard - just tap-tap-tap. And thank you, Mister Varis. I shall imbibe what I need later. I promise."

Varis regarded Vex, this was a hard job. He knew he should have stuck with his gut for one thousand mehrial, he thought. Upon Mae's request, he responds, "There's a gathering room that you can use that should fit the bat. It's this way. I'm still in the process of restoring it, so there's no furniture here. I hope this is helpful for you though."

Mae would follow Varis. "Thank you. It is good. I´m sure we can fix something like a table for the body.¨ She would look around for a moment. Yes. It will do but she'd rather have a table for the corpse instead of letting somebody use their magic for it. Not wanting to risk people to 'waste' energy besides, it would take a bit of time as she had cared of it's wounds. She would, in the meantime, look for something that could be used as a dissection table. Varis provided one after searching the temples' rooms.

The halfbreed had stayed behind with Vex to make sure she wasn't going anywhere, then he'd leave every so often, to tap the glass with a knuckle. His ears twitched, and his tail swayed when he returned, "I drew a sketch of the bat yesterday. Did you want to use it for something? It's to scale."

She looked at the halfblood and nodded, droplets still on her lower lip, "That would be something to see, if you don't mind showing me." She wondered about him, blinking and waiting for him to produce the sketch. She'd seen the dead thing up close and still had an aversion to it. What any creature, even a necromancer, saw in these things was still beyond her. "If you could make a copy, I'd like to archive it."

The kit's ears flicked a little to Vexademus, the kitten smiled sweetly as he went to get his sketch book, returning with the torn out page, "Here. I...I can make another sketch later." Indeed it was a very good, to scale, a drawing of the bat. "I hope it's good enough to be filed."

Vexademus shifted uncomfortably. The silence in the room they were in felt heavy to her. It was appreciated when it was broken by Vaden's movement or by something else; a snick of a whiffed candle, some crackle of incense, a creak from a pew, a skitter of spider taps. What? She looked up and around, trying to find the source and blinked, looking back to Vaden's sketch as it was handed to her. "Th-thank you. That's very kind of you..." She peered over a shoulder, seeming paranoid. But, it wasn't just that. She heard gurgle growls? "Maaaaae?" she called. It had arrived. On a floating disc once more, flat table-like service carrying the spread bat and it needed to be let in and guided to where Mae was.

"Thank you..that will do. I just don't want people to use their magic on something so small. I rather have them use their energy and spells on other things." She explains to Varis. She would prepare her tools and looked up when suddenly the large bat was being brought by a floating disc to be deposited on her table. Her eyes widened and a devious grin spread on her face. She would look at the bat. "Whoa...amazing.." She could hear the call of Vexademus and she would look at Varis. "I think you better make sure she got her rest. I shall prepare the body. If there's something, I will call."
She mostly worked alone when it came to preparing bodies. Mae was used to it as she had grown up in a funeral home. She knew exactly what to do and how and immediately got to work.

Varis grins to her and adds, "Isn't it? I can't wait until I can get my hands on dead bodies and create. I envy you, Miss Mae," he said, nodding.
The black winged torian looked his way, distracted from her process a moment, "You wish to become a necromancer?" Mae started first with the cleansing of the body with water and a sponge. It was a gift for Lord Archaon so the corpse needed to look at it's best.

"I do, yes. I have all these voices in my head to do so, so that's what I'm aspiring to do. I've got a long time ahead of me to learn and practice death magic, and I will have to find a mentor as well. Right now I just need as much money as possible to get a home first. Or, if I can do both, then I will. But I won't keep you from the body. Enjoy. And call if you need me." He reminded, returning to Vexademus, "You doing okay? What do you want to eat? I'll get it for ya." he offered gently. "But you do need to eat, Miss Vexademus."

The mageling nodded, seeing Varis reappear and knowing that the dead creature was delivered safely. "There's not much time, Mister Varis. I realize that I'm hurrying the process and that we really shouldn't..." she continued while carefully pushing the sketch of the bat into her satchel, "I only wish to get it installed as soon as I can. The mephos hatching is soon and there will be a meeting in His Grace's keep as well as the oncoming festivities and..."
She shook her head, pinching the bridge of her nose and squeezing shut those lengthy lashes, "There's little time."

The slave was glad that Vexademus approved of the sketch. He'd draw another one later, "We should get back to work then." He ate the last of his sandwich, gulped some water, then got to his feet. "I can ferry the sand back and forth. Miss Mae does not have to help."

Varis crouched down before the worrying spellshaper. "We'll get it done. Mae is getting the body ready and we can start on the tube anytime you're ready. And if there is anything you need me to do; tell me. I'm getting a job as a rook rider at the castle, so I'll be around. If I'm not there, I'm here at Kirva's temple. Easy to find." he said to her with a smile, a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "We'll get this done, today. Don't worry."
He stood when Vaden approached. "This tube is going to be thicker than normal, so we'll only need one person."
He stretched that muscular upper body for any and all, his white tank top was soaking wet and sticking to his body.

The mage released her pinch of fingers and swallowed, tightening jaw which lapeled temples to swell a touch. Standing, that robery swayed with it's soft enchantment via Shiho's talent and she gave a confident nod to the dark elf. "Aye. I'm ready. I'll use the heating to promote your glass and then two spells. Gravity Sinkhole first and then Reverse Gravity for the tube. It will help you elongate it and keep everything steady. You're ready to start?"

"Let's begin." he said, and then heads up the stairs to the rain, hurriedly heading for the forge, beginning preparations once more.

******************************

Mae continued cleaning the bat. She went through several buckets of water before it ran clear. While she was cleaning the corpse, she could see something interesting with the belly. Raising a brow, she inspected it. There was seen how some flesh was burned away. "What are those?" spoken to herself in a curious soft tone.

She would start to pull something out of the belly and place it to the side. "Hmmm..body parts of..lizards?"

Continuing to 'empty' the belly from those undigested body parts, she put them aside to manage study later. Taking some stuffing material, she started to fill up the belly to keep it's form and then produced some special needle and stitching thread to close wounds. She would then start to 'neaten' the figure to hide its burnt away fur. She groomed it and added some fake fur that she had luckily, just to match, taking her time. It was death quiet in the room. Mae found it very soothing while she worked. She grew up with death around her. Working everyday with her grandfather on dead bodies. A smile on her face with the thought of her grandfather. Oh, how she missed him.

******************************

Vaden slunk back upstairs, out into the rain, the kitten taking a deep breath as he slid gloves back on and removed his shirt. He didn't want to risk the sleeves getting burnt. The bells in his nipples and attached to his collar jingled.

Vexademus regained her position near the forge. Multiple spells would be needed before the more complex ones. Taking a deep breath, she held out her hands and began the incantations once more, followed by the telltale somatic gestures. Heating, charging, heating, charging. Again, the conduit of her uneven figure remained tense, strict adherence to the position of where those spells were to be maintained. Once the stirring and application began she would need to swivel and concentrate for when the tube began to take shape, the fellow participants would be warned aloud before concentration began. "Take...care. It will feel as though you will be slogging through quicksand. It will be hard at first and then...it will lighten. Breathe and concentrate on what you're doing. I promise, I won't hurt you..."
And then came the massive gathering of aether for the first spell. It would take some time to get it all ready.


"You got it, Miss. I promise I won't kill you either with the glass," he joked. Once the fire was going, Varis would stir the sand until it was all melted and pick up the glob of glass to begin inflating it. Afterwards, he moved to the end of the pipe and begins to shape it into the jar dome-like container that Vexademus wanted. It was on Vaden now to bring the globs of glass.

******************************

Back in the temple, Mae was inspecting the large lizard parts. Surely she could have them right? Or at least some? She grinned at the thought of use for them for her other undead minions. Yes! She grinned more. Taking another perusal of the giant dead creature, she rounded the table. It was a normal looking bat, except for its size. She could see that it just used it's sonar like normal bats, the way his wings were built showed that it was fast. The chiroptic figure would live in caves or thick forests. Closing her eyes for a moment, she felt the magic on the creature. "Hmmm. I can feel it, but it's just residual. Probably because of some of the fire magic that burned him. Not a magical creature."

Mae opened her eyes again. It looked good. Almost as good as new. She had managed to get the color back on the bat with some 'special make up' and embalmed it with special oil to preserve the corpse better. Taking a few steps back to look it over, she would smile covetously. "Such a shame that I need to give you away again. Now, for the hard part. It's time to wake you up, my darling."

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Vexademus could feel the energies supped from all around her and within. Her skin was wet and blushing and that hair with the streaks was now sullenly stuck around her forehead and neck, curling some pieces and yet, generally looking like it was drowned, even in coloring. Eyes drew vapid and she looked as though a lover enjoying something beneath her robes. That fabric spooked a bit like a school of fish and there was some dashing of it as everything around the magess was suddenly hit with the Sinkhole's weight. Strength would be needed by those that surrounded the mageling. She focused and allowed the weight to grow, making it more diffult for really anything to stand. Slowly, she fed more magic into the mix and then began the gestures and incants for the reversal. Speaking louder, up came the click of tongue and then a bite to the inner left subligual portion. Blood pooled to mix within saliva and she swallowed, finishing the casting of Reverse Gravity. Focus was now on the tubing, the support of the molten shaping stuff, her primary target. Wielding this much had begun to elicit small quick breaths and stuttery moans that bubbled up from the caster's throat. They sounded...sexual?

The glassing shaman about fell over before Vex cast the reversal. As soon as he was able, he was running to the end of the pipe to shape the thicker glass he'd been working on. Thanks to the dual workmanship, the tube was floating in air and he was able to work quickly. Back and forth with each blob, his sweat dissapearing into the rain that soaked his clothing. He paused when he heard those sexual moans and quick breaths. He chuckled softly to himself and looked over to Vaden, calling out. "You okay?"

******************************

Mae had her eyes closed in concentration. Then an aura of darkness started to grow
like some kind of fog pouring from her body. Her lips curled in a devious and wicked grin. "Oh, that's it," she purred. The room started to fill more with the shadowy duskiness. There was a teething of her lower lip with teeth. Darkness; it could make her really dangerous. A killer maniac. Or a horny killer maniac. Or perhaps supremely aroused. For now, she seemed to resist her own innate depths. Those cerulean eyes flickered open and began to swirl and fill with black. The fog would reach out and surround the dead body of the bat, caressing it, filling it slowly with it's tendrils. Sneaking like a thief into it's nostrils and mouth and ears. Those black eyes adorned the grown devious smile. She would hiss out in the torian language, "From the darkness, rise. Rise for your mistress!"
She needed more. It felt so good! The dead body of the bat would start to bloat a bit, its lungs an empty cavity filling with what Mae fed it. She spread her arms and continued to speak, "Your body and soul are mine. Awaken!"
And with that, the aura increased and filled with weight as if night came alive at her command. The room looked absolutely drenched in the blackest ink. Only Mae and the corpse seemed visable. The undead wolven guarding the entrance began to howl. Mae's pitch eyes widened and then the body started to shake and stop. It's own orbs would open and the creature tested it's wings, a sound like leather rubbed against itself.
"Yes! That's it!"
A villainous chuckle spilled from the necromancer and the sound was malevolent. The animation swiveled it's dead gaze to Mae as if it knew her. It would spread those wings more and begin to flap, breaking free the straps, readying for her command. All of that aura seemed to be sucked up instantly to surround and caress Mae, returning the room to normal again. She stared almost loveingly at her reanimation.

******************************

Outside, Varis stopped moving and grabbed his head. Those voices! So much shrieking! They were howling louder than the wolven outside. He'd fall to his knees as the pain worsened. His own desire swirled within him, his true calling reaching out to him through the voices, regardless of his will. The kitten turned to Varis and called out that he himself was just fine, responding to Varis's earlier concern. Of course Vaden was alright. Why wouldn't he be? He was hot, and wet, and had a blister on his arm from when he got too close to the forge during one collection but he'd be fine. A small gasp issued when he saw Varis shudder to his knees, the kitten rushing over and putting his hands on the man's shoulders, on his back, "Shhh..you're okay. You're okay. I'm here." Although, what he could do to help was still up for debate. Through this, the Kirvan shaman had a job to do, and his halfbreed lover was near, encouraging him to grip his strengths. Forcing himself back to his feet, he regained his hold on the pole to continue to shape it, all the while those voices in his head just screeching, making his hands shake and almost disabling him.

The spellshaper's chest heaved and she continued to keep her focus, both mind and hands keeping the steady stream attuned to the spell's hunger. Shoulders lofted and fell in those great breaths and eyes were wide while she watched it all happen. Only from a small notice that Varis had fallen, clutching crown, his beloved worriedly checking on him in those minute moments; and then the dark elf was back up again, doing what needed to be done. The undertaking of this final task was massive; all the previous rest just seeming like sugar dissolved into tea. Lips parted as she panted, nostrils flaring as great gulps of oxygen sluiced in and out. Steady. Ready. And heightened in admiration for not only what was transpiring, but who all this was for. A great project, indeed! The woman relished at this noble scene; exalted. And rather over-aroused. Even though those thighs beneath all of that midnight fabric rubbed and squeezed together with intention, she kept on. Until Varis would say. Until he would call out for her to stop. She continued.

******************************

The necromancer had her eyes locked on her new undead minion. She could feel the loyal intention from it. She was in midst of admiration when her expression changed. Something was wrong. Something was waking. It moved like some slick serpent inside of her. There was somebody else within range that had a similar flavor. It was near. She could feel it. Closing those lightless oculars, she whispered, "Hmmmm. It feels like someone else, who is very close, has that iniquity inside him as well."
She opened her eyes and spoke at the bat. "Looks like we are going to have to, 'inspect him', my darling. Care to join your mistress? I might need your assistance." She grinned wickedly. Leaving the room with that terrible undead thing and an unrighteous smile in her wake, she began to follow the 'scent'. She heard her undead wolven howling, encouraging her along.
Once outside, she spotted Varis. A lick to her lips and in the torian language she spoke, "Well. There you are. You have something I like," looking at the shaman like a predator readying to pounce prey.

The voices continued to riot inside his mind. He continued to clutch his soaked black haired head from moment to moment, trying to work simultaneously. All those voices, thousands of them, just yelling and hollering to come back, to listen and fall into the death magic that was in play. His own calling swirled around him similarly, but he was defending himself as much as he could. A lean into Vaden's hands, whilst his own fingers tugged at his hair. "SHUT UP!"
He howled the spell of Spirit Bolt, hurling it into the forest and then...there was silence. He paused and began thanking Vaden, kissing his forehead and regaining his composure, returning to his work with renewed focus. "Next bit please," he asked with a shake to his voice. He moved back to the blowing part of the pipe, and when Vaden had the next glob on, he threw a large breath into the pipe and quickly went to shape the thicker glass. Halfway there, the wolven started to howl again and the voices slammed back, full force. He cried out in pain, clutching his head once more and falling down onto his back. It wasn't finished! Thick shadowy aura swirled around him like so much volatile black oil on a water's surface. There was no denying it now. Eyes popped wide when he heard that changed voice, and though he didn't know exactly what she said, he understood the intention behind it. "VITH'EZ elg'caress! Vrine'winith ol! Vrine'winith ol nin!!!", he shrieked.
It would be up to Vaden to stop Vex with her magic, as he was dealing with his own issues compounded by Mae.

The kitten took a few deep breaths. Okay. This was definitely something they had to talk about. The black and white halfblood rubbed his back, rubbed his sides, whispering, "I'm here," but when Varis asked for more glass, he tensed. He knew how important this was but still... His ears swiveled round to fall and quietly he brought over fresh glass, able to ply it before the next shriek and collapse of Varis. He turned to Vex. It was wrong. Something was wrong! "Stop! Stop it! Wait please!"
He looked past the shaman to the necromancer with the wet reanimated giant bat slunk behind her, his ears flattening out. Well, fuck him sideways!

The witch felt a tear in the mythos for a moment, as if something indented the space around her. There was another scream, howls, a screech, and then Vaden's voice broke through and the spell was interrupted. The magess lost her balance, the stamina needed to produce such magic giving out as did her legs. She toppled, unable to move but still conscious. She could only watch from a lain vantage point on the soaked ground, through the blades of grass as the rain continued to fall on the scene presented.

The torian had her eyes locked on Varis. She was grinning diabolically. Then her expression began to falter as she heard Vaden's voice cut through, slowly turning her attention to the slave. For a moment, there was resistance against that awakened persona. She closed her eyes and inhaled. That aura of Varis; it smelled good. Her gaze revealed back to that horrible depth of horizon at Varis while unholy smile returned. The necromancer saw he was already laying on the ground, seemingly prone for her. Mouth opened and with that, she would suddenly leap into the air while uncoiling her whip to dive down on her prey. Varis rolled when he saw Mae bearing down towards him, effectively keeping from being pinned. Though the whip caught his neck, it didn't bring him under her and he was already untangling himself from it's coil. In retaliation, Varis plied himself atop her instead, to pin her down on the ground, not hurting her, just holding her, which was difficult as those spirits in his mind continued to haunt tumultuously.
"Your insides," she purred, "I bet that desire tastes so very good...."
Mae had wanted to use her serpent's kiss on the shaman but was quickly denied. The idea of it made her think of kissing Durigon. Durigon....Durigon... Her eyes widened suddenly as that pitch started to drain away from her gaze. Durigon...her..Durigon...What was she doing? This wasn't right. Fuck! The inner [i]awakened[i/] battled was ongoing. "R..Resist.." she fought aloud..gnawing her lips ¨R..R..Resist Mae.." Her nails carved into the handle of the whip. She could feel herself calm internally a bit, winning against the tides. She took some breaths. ¨R..Resist...¨ The coil of her weapon was loosened, even though there were still remaining licks of that outlining shadow around her body.

"MAE! Calm down, DAMMIT!" He yelled, and then his grip loosened as her body started to slacken. He kept her on the ground, her aura thinning like smoke vaporizing into air. "MAE! MAE! Snap out of it!" He yelled again, hoping his voice would aid her further. Once he was satisfied that she had control, he'd disengage himself. His own malevolence receded slowly, the voices at a dull roar. He was at a loss at what to do next. He wanted to kill her, he really did, but that desire was pushed away. He hefted himself off the ground and left her vicinity, noticing Vexademus on the ground and rushed to her while calling out "Vaden! Help me get her to a sitting position." His strength was sapped from the flow of the events. He lowered down and cradled Vex's head in his lap, panting, "You're okay Vexademus. Hang in there."

Vaden had uneasily watched everything transpire. His ears flattened out, catching Vex's collapse out of the corner of his eye and hearing the call of his beloved. Everything gone to shit, he turned and rushed for Varis and the mage in the flowing robes, assisting Varis to lift her some.

All the while, the witch had watched them, feeling the hands scoop her and carefully hold her upright. She was already trying to speak, to reassure them she was uninjured. "No..I'm alright. No...strength...I'm unhurt.."
She swallowed and was likely jelly in whatever handling she was poured into. "Mae..Miss Mae..what's happening to her..."
Even as she was just unable to move because of her drained stamina, she was inquiring about the torian. She'd need help! "Mae..somebody help her.." The floppy magess didn't have the bodily energy to do more than just breathe and blink.

Mae still fought mightily with herself. She knew the awakened part of her was indeed dangerous and something she still didn't really understand. She didn't understand also, how powerful she really was either. She had aimed to pin Varis down and kiss him to taste some of delicious immorality, but he was too fastidious to turn them around, holding her to the ground instead.

She groaned as she closed her eyes. Reanimating that large creature drained both sides, weakening her spirit and figure for the moment. She would half cast the spell Boneshard, forming the sharpened creation into a slightly hooked but wickedly sharp talon. Sitting up, she pulled her dress to the side and starts carving at her leg with that talon, hoping the pain would bring her more focus. She groaned, falling back to lay with an arch of her back, pushing those tits in the air. Blood started to well from the slice. It wasn't a deep wound but heavy enough to get her adrenaline realized and her focus to sharpen. She would let out a deep sigh as she closed her eyes. The undead started to calm down and surround her body, as if they were protecting their mistress. She would just lay there with her eyes closed, feeling the rain patter on her skin.

Varis would frown, thinking of Mae's comment about tasting his darkness and liking it. Looking to Vaden, her let the slave handle the magess for the moment, gesturing his intent towards the necromancer, "I'll check on her."
Again to his feet, he walked over to the little gathering of reanimated trinity. Shoving a wolven to the side, he falls to his knees next to Mae and lifts her head to lay in his lap. "Mae... mae... open your eyes."
He gently nudged her with his words, trying to wake her. He looked between both mentally and energy worn out women from his position and then to Vaden. "Let's get them inside. I've got blankets in my bedroom." Lofting Mae bridal style, he staggered some, getting his balance correct over his exhaustion, beginning towards the building.

"You're about to pass out yourself," was said with a scowl to Varis. What a fucking mess. His ears dropped back and he scooped up Vexademus similarly, "I have you," was said softly to the mageling, and he carried her cradled as well, heading for the stairs to follow suit.

The mage tried to get her brain to send the signals to the rest of her limbs but she was totally worn out after casting such high level spells. And they'd gone off without a hitch! Except..."Wait. Vaden..Mister Vaden....the tank. Please, I must know. Was it finished? The tank...is it broken?" Fingers barely moved in flex as the hybrid lofted her, the caster's head lolling to look. She couldn't see it beyond his shoulder. If only..."Vaden, Vaden, Vaden..." She was fading. Sleep was overcoming her and the spellshaper knew nothing as heavy lids slid shut.

Mae would hear the voice of Varis and she would try to open her eyes. She would frown and focused with a few blinks. Her leg was bleeding. A boneshard was laying on the ground. She would be lifted by Varis before she could inquire more, but before she felt in notice of his off balance gait. She tired apologizing, "S..sorry...risk..of..being...."
One of her undead wolven would take Mae over as Varis was too weak to carry her. The two undead wolven followed while the large undead bat crawled in their wake to the room. Once there, the wolven would place Mae on a bed and again the three undead creatures would circle around Mae. Protecting their mistress. It was..amazing..she achieved to reanimate such creature..but..it took a lot of her..and she was easily overtaken by her more primal side. Her leg was still bleeding. Would..would Durigon be proud of her creation? Not from the inner demoness. She needed to just rest. Mae was a hard working woman; three jobs, a lot of things going on. But it was an achievement. Surely she wouldn't need a lot of rest, just for a few minutes and she could continue their project.

It was true, Vaden himself was ready to pass out himself. He emptied her into the wolvens' hold to take her. Leading both both Vaden and the undead Wolven to the bedroom, he spoke, "Put both on the bed. It's large enough for both."
Finding that white tank freed from his form, he tore it into strips and immediately began to bandage the wound with the wet pieces. "Vaden... please undress and dry them. Then cover them with the blankets. I'll get th extras out."
After Vaden finished the set task, Varis pulled him close, "Thank you, my heart. I'm going to go rest in the sermon room." leveling a kiss on the slave's forehead.

His lover took a deep breath as he set Vexademus down and let out a sigh, brows knitting a little. He leaned into the hug, and the kiss, his red eyes closing before he turned and went to collect a set of towels to dry them off. The kitten moved back quickly, and began to strip down Vex first since the undead guardians were unnerving. He did his best to do it so she kept modesty under the blankets... that is, if she stayed still. She didn't protest one bit so he set to drying her hair carefully. The slave dried off the lovely Vex, taking note of those scars before covering her with a blanket, a detaining move to get ahead of that stirring feline side of him. He took a deep breath, exiting to start cleaning up the food he had set out earlier. All the assisting amenities had tired him out for today.

She groaned a little bit as she felt Varis putting on that shirt to stop the bleeding, trying to sit up. Enough resting. She couldn't rest right now. She needed to fix this fucking mess she felt she created. Fuck, came the guilty curse in her mind. Taking the towel meant for her, she began to dry herself, still with her clothing on. A bath would come later. First things, first. She would take a few breaths and looked at her undead creations. "I´m afraid it is time to put you in a jar."
There was a mocking chuckle spilled out. What a shame. She wanted to keep it. But, it was for Lord Archaon and she was ever grateful to him. Slowly coming to stand, she pet the shoulder of Vaden. "Thank you, sweetheart."
A bob of head in gratitude to him for taking care of Vexademus. She would groan for a moment as she felt her leg stinging but she carried on, undead wolven following behind and still; that crawling reanimated bat. She puffed. "Almost, Mae. Rest is for the weak ones."
Once out in the open where the forge stood, and the muss of their project, she gratefully saw that the jar was finished. She would let the undead wolven hold the extremely ungainly and heavy jar in the right place. A turn and she reached her hand for its face, gently brushing it while letting her forehead rest against it's own. "Our time was short but you are amazing, my dear one."
A cast of dead speak and she could hear some returning words from it. A snap of her fingers and a gesture, the bat simply crawled into the oblong tank. She would smile like some kind of goodbye. Mae placed her hands on the jar. "Goodbye, my darling."
It was always the emotional part - when you had a bond with a undead creature. She would close her eyes. The creature positioned itself and squeeked and then darkness would illuminate from the necromancer's hands. Her head rested against the already cooled glass. Out of the bat's nostrils, mouth, and sharp ears the shadow flowed, returning to Mae's silent call. She sighed longingly.

Once Mae had the bat in place, the undead wolven had followed commands to empty the ammonia product - minus the fish - into the tank. Then the clear elven liquor was added to make the preservation solution, the clouded fish water clarifying slowly.
Varis would smooth on the last of the glass, his last creation he'd worked on after leaving the few behind in the temple. "The jar is complete. Want me to help you get on your horse or do you want to stay here and rest? Personally, I think resting here would be your best bet, at least for now," he commented as they stood in the rain.

"You are welcomed here." He continued, not really wanting her to leave in the state she was in. He was worried her wound would begin to bleed again if she traveled back to the keep. Depending on what Mae does, would determine what Varis would do. If sh wanted to leave, he would ensure she got on her horse and leave safely down the path he carvd out of the jungle himself, and if she decided to stay, h would help hr walk back down the steps and into th tmple proper and heads to the bedroom to lay down.

Mae would finish the gift for Lord Archaon. She would then use her magic and the help of her undead wolven to bring the jar inside. It needed to dry. While that was completing, she would look over her shoulder towards Varis. A soft sweet smile on her face, he could definitely see she was drained, perhaps more pale. "I...I think I should go back to the keep. I've ruined enough for today."
She would place her hand on his shoulder, "I´m sorry what I have done to you. As you can see, the path of necromancy is a dangerous one. It can change people once they choose to study it. So, think about the dangers it will bring if you are considering this path. You have seen what can happen."
She would walk inside, slowly. Mae was a strong willed woman. She could rest at the keep. "I shall collect my stuff and then you can help me on my horse."
They walked back to the room to do just that as well as reporting to the preparation room to collect the large lizard bodyparts. She plied command for the wolven to carry it all. Mae handed over a script of some things and handed it over to Varis. "Could you please give this report to Vexademus? It is the report of the biopsy of the body. I'm going to further investigate those other body parts at the keep." Once he took the paper mae would give him a soft sweet smile and walk towards the exit with Varis and her two undead wolven. She would let Varis help her get on the horse and she would give one last friendly smile to him. "Thank you. Perhaps we shall see each other again soon."
And with that, she would begin the ride with a turn of horse, back to the keep with her undead wolven, lizard body parts, and other things in tow.

******************************

The Gift

A large eight foot tall domed tube; a circumference measured at just about nineteen feet, was made by Varis, dark elf shaman priest of Kirva. The tubular glass holds within an alchemic embalming serum; a combination of the transparent elven liquor used in the Princess drink from the Lonely Inn and Gaea's Guzzler, as well as ammonia produced from live agitated fish bodies. The tank is settled onto a marble base, grooved deep and plugged with a wax sealant. Vexademus had done the mixing work and the calculations needed in alchemy to exact this recipe to preserve the seven foot bat creature, the necromancer torian named Mae had posed it's wings slightly loosened to show some wing span and the face of the creature inclined as if bowing allegiance to Lord Archaon. The preserved remains of what was brought back from the wild portal spawn, something that had appeared and let loose a battle between giant bats and wild mephos! Collected was the live giant bat that now resided in one of the many cages on the second floor of the Great Dome, near the Tower of the Way portion. Those who were responsible for the capture were Saphamira, Infernis, Carthellen, and Nighthawke. They were also responsible for bringing back the non-living bat.
Those involved in making the tank to hold the dead creature in preservation fluid were Varis, Vaden, Mae, and Vexademus.

Quite a nice (if not morbid) gift from those loyal to Lord Archaon. It nows stands behind his throne in his keep, watching over the main seat like the reaper stripped to his barest; a beastial embodiment of vengeance.

[Vexademus]

Home for the Holidays - January 4, 2022

A reminder of the holidays put her in the mood for hearth and home. The magess had decided that even though Dethsiris was her now chosen homeland, she would return to the spread township where she was raised. Leaving Somewhere, her giant gelding behind, as well as her youngling mephos Big Sugar, she took to travel from the humid lands. Her decision had been on a whim and honestly, when had she ever really made good plans?

The OverSeer left no instructions for the Great Dome or its inhabitants, nor sent missive to His Grace for her plans. Just threw some clothing into that ever present satchel and made for the long journey afoot.

During the days it took to get there, she had stopped at a couple of fortuitous inns and even received and sometimes paid for, a few rides aboard some wagons.

The day she arrived was cloudy but beautiful. No wind blew against naked trees covered in white snow. The pearlescent ivory blanketed all in its wondrous outfit. The mage wore suitably warm attire of her rich arch magi robes, complete with soft boots and leggings beneath. A fur-lined hooded cloak was draped about her that swayed with her gait. She trudged the rest of the way into the town proper, houses spaced out so mathematically that any would have trouble getting lost. Peoples that traversed the well-tamped roads paid her no mind, merrily singing and happy of spirit bringing assorted warm memory to the magess.

Vexademus stopped at a particular dirt street and began the long trek towards a house with a fence that didn't look as kept as it had been when she left. As she closed proximity, there were holes to be seen in the small stable and the memory of the family draft horse named Jerry, caused a lump to form in her throat. A merry sadness clung to her breast as the distance shrank. But, no smoke from the house's chimney either. Her brows cinched tight while her steps slowed. The windows were dirty and some were broken. No warm light danced within. What had happened? Where were her parents?

Having a moment in pause to look over her shoulder with a move of her hood, she thought maybe she should inquire with the neighbors. But, no. Best to investigate what happened for herself first. Heading to the door, which hung sideways on its hinges, the magess rose a hand and pushed it open slowly. Inside, it looked as though the weather invaded with its icy touch. Flakes swept inside from the doorway as well as through some of the dirty broken windows. Vexademus breathed shallowly to keep her hearing alert. Only the breeze sounded with some creaks and rustles of errant regularity. The woman stepped inside and noted that it looked as though the homestead was left in a state of disarray. Furniture had holes torn into them from wild animals having gotten in to dig and steal stuffing for warmth. Low coffee table overturned and broken. The flooring looking as though it had some moss and overgrowth skewing up over the stones during the spring and summertime. How long had this house been abandoned?

She ventured further inside, looking at different rooms and even took to search out her own room. Closed off but torn apart, as if someone were looking for something. Chest of drawers upended and bed diagonal with rotted covers mussed. The mage touched a few things left, fingertips lightly sweeping over items that she'd left behind with no significant value to anyone but herself. It was lonely; cold.

Turning from here, she stoically searched out her parents bedroom. Boots shuffled quietly along the stones and she put hand to the knob, opening it to her view slowly. Inside, similar intrusion laid over everything. Except the bed. It was made with what looked like something blackened laid between the hem of the moldered sheets and blankets. Old flowers rotted away? She stepped to the edge of the bed, brows knitted close as she puzzled out what she was looking at. Her vision blurred and she was about to turn and exit the room before she noticed some corner of something sticking out from under a pillow. Bending a little, she pulled on it and discovered a piece of yellow parchment folded with a black satin ribbon tied around it.

The OverSeer untied the ribbon and unfolded the paper. In cursive scrawling letters, she read through it, bringing a hand to her mouth. Tucking it close to her chest, she left the house; hurriedly. No more of this past existed for her. And now, she was unfettered by all else. No inquiry to neighbors for she had some idea of what happened. And though she could have visited the graves of her loving guardians, Vexademus didn't. She didn't see the point.

Once she was out again on the road, slogging through the slushy mud of the dirt street, she read the letter again. And again. And again; all throughout her trek back to the humid lands. Back to her chosen homeland of Dethsiris. And to the newly laid plans that had the magess even more determined to complete.

And I've got to understand
You must release the ones you love
And let go of their hand.
I try and cope the best I can
But I'm missing you so much
If I could only see you
And once more feel your touch.
Yes, you've just walked on ahead of me
Don't worry I'll be fine
But now and then I swear I feel
Your hand slip into mine.

Forever and Always,
Chaney

[Vexademus]

Efficient Progress - March 16, 2022

There was little to no stress reading over the reports coming in from the south and west; of how well the rebuilds were progressing. Each detail of scroll delivered was meticulously read and noted happily. Though some hiccups were detected amongst the many reports arriving at His Grace's Stronghold, the news had been good. Dethsiris was getting quickly underway to what normalcy it had before.

The hurricanes that had rolled over the land had caused great devastation but seemed to also be taken in stride by the locals and wildlife. Was Dethsiris used to upheavals like this on a constant basis? Past histories leftover from diaries showed it to be true. And while the calm heat washed over every leaf and plains-dune and dew-strewn teleporting cat, the struggles of jungles and flora alike kept in step of the cycle.

Lady Vexademus made notes of every single rebuild, from farms to villas, beachfront mansions to Gaea's Guzzler; all was proceeding with comforting swiftness. Whatever jungles had been damaged had efficiently absorbed fallen trees and scraped up underbrush to be reused and reclaimed for new growth. The magess made a tapped point in her notes to speak with Lord Archaon that Dethsiris was faring very well regardless of the weather's tantrum. This should bring him some solace after having to deal with the sadness of deceased Dethsirians and mephos as well as smaller egg broods.

She sat straight and began gathering up the rest of the reports, finished with the return notices of receipt, she turned to stand from her desk. Leaving her quarters inside the Great Dome, she handed off the reports to be filed to an acolyte. Another short walk had her striding through the large Promethean entrance to deliver the validations to those who had sent word of their advantageous progress; trusting the Dethsirian mephos postman to deliver the correct notices to certain responding tracts.

The mageling then decided that after the day's work had been finished, she would go for a relaxing flight on Big Sugar. Before then, the spellshaper had hurried to the second floor of the Dome to inspect the caretaking of the giant bat and the slazird still residing in the Menagerie. It had been some time and the beasts had responded well to their living conditions and routines. Handlers were very proud of their bonds to the creatures and Lady Vexademus always made sure to visit them every few days to keep them familiar with her presence.

A few scratches, treats, and mushy words later, she was descending once more to find the exterior of the Great Dome and boarding Big Sugar with absolute confidence of the wiley creature. Sugar huffed and snorted with a purr, reared back with a jolt, and leaped straight upwards, those powerful black wings boosting both into a bolt of flight that stung the Lady's eyes for a moment, lathering her streaked hair back and causing the tight hold of thick thighs upon the ornate riding gear of the mephos.

The magess would soon be at Lord Archaon's Stronghold to deliver the good news that Dethsiris was recovering well and imports were already flowing in smoothly. The population of the land was quick to heal from the wrath of the weather.