#roleplay log

 "You're doing great, Dusk!" Neoma Eltanin was genuinely impressed Dusk had calmed down so fast. Sometimes he could be so very nervous, but so far he was handling the experience surprisingly well. "Oh, do you have a partner who is also not fond of water?" she looked at Arshtat with a curious smile. Admittedly, she never would have guessed, for what she knew of Ejinn was their love to the water. Hearing the encouragement, Dusk Hydrae even smiles a bit. Managing to float along the surface was actually pretty peaceful, even though he was still feeling a bit nervous about being let go of. "Is this... Am I doing right?" He glances up at Arshtat, not bothering about the mentioning of another person.

"Oh..." Arshtat Ejinn gives a small smile, "Yes, the ocean more specifically. He usually waits on the shore for me." Turning her eyes back down to Dusk, she gives a nod, "You're doing really well!" She had quietly let her hands down, and she raised them up to show he was doing it all himself. "Do you feel better? The water... isn't so bad, is it?" "Oh, I see", Neoma said and gave a warm smile as a response to Arshtat. She really enjoyed her company so far, she seemed like a very sweet person. She thought to herself that she would have to thank her with something for helping them. Turning her attention back to Dusk, she was very delighted to see how well he was handling it. "Do you feel alright, Dusk? Maybe.. maybe you want to try swimming a little?" Once he realized he was in fact floating on his own, he let out an almost childish giggle in excitement. However, the more uneven breaths caused his body to sink into the water slightly and he once again flailed briefly with his arms as a small terrified look took over until he gained control again. Once feeling comfortable again he smiled, glancing at the two ladies "It is nice! Is swimming this easy too?"

Arshtat blinked, holding her arms out and ready to steady Dusk should he need it, but smiled as he righted himself. "Well... I think so. But I am probably not a good j-judge. But we can see? It is the same concept... just... flip over." Neoma couldn't help herself and giggled a little as she tried to make an example. "Like a frog, Dusk! Arms sweeping, legs kicking."

He gives the ideas a short thought, trying to remember what a swimming frog looks like. "So... Float and... kick..?" His arms flailed not so gracefully in the water as he went to plant his feet on the bottom again and turned towards Arshtat, a nervous look on his face with a hint of determination.

"Like a frog...?" she tilted her head to the side, never having heard swimming explained a such. But gave a nod, "I suppose that is a good example. Yes... float and kick. And move your arms, like this..." she mimicked the motion, swimming back a bit and allowing him more space.

Arshtat Ejinn stepped back just enough to give him space to undress, folding her hands together and making no move of her own. She shook her head after a moment, "Must I say it every day...? The trouble was not you. There is no blame."

Madoc Parnell gave her a small look. "'Course, 'course," he mumbled. He didn't yet notice that she wasn't undressing, not until he was in his smallclothes and about to turn to the bath. "...You not joinin' me, luv?"

Arshtat glanced away at that, fidgeting with the loose sash tied at her waist. "I... I thought I would just help you. It is alright."

Madoc eyed her curiously, one brow rising. "Never seen you turn down a chance to be in water..." He looked to her shoulder. Every time he looked at her, he remembered how the blade felt as it sunk into her flesh. He wouldn't be able to forget, even if he wanted to. "I'd like it if you joined me, luv, but I won't make you."

She opened her mouth, but quickly closed it again. "I just didn't...wish to..." she sighed, bringing her eyes back up to his. "You... you know I will never blame you, yes...? Never be afraid of you...?" And while she still looked hesitant, she started to untie the sash.

Madoc could sense where this was going. He knelt down, his dark eyes meeting hers before flitting to her shoulder. "Show me what I did," he said, just above a whisper but with underlying determination to see for himself.

Arshtat frowned at his choice of words, meeting his eyes for a long and quiet moment. Then she looked away, parting the tunic from her chest and folding it to the side. Once she was laid bare, she turned back to face him, hesitantly dropping her hands away and leaving her gaze to the floor. The scar was the worst at her left shoulder, still slightly reddened and the skin bruised in healing. It trailed down, across her chest and between her breasts, ending just under her ribs.

He stared it for a long while. He studied each subtle dip and curve and coloration of the wound, committing it to memory. His expression was blank, unreadable, until he gave the smallest of nods. Then he looked at her face, rose to his feet, and stepped forward to wrap his arms around her. "I'm sorry," he murmured downward.

Arshtat had not realized she had been holding her breath until he drew her in and she felt herself let it go. "Please don't say that..." she breathed out, shaking her head into his stomach. "I can... keep it c-covered. Oyuu said there are things that can h-hide it. You won't have to see it, I promise..."

"Don't," he quickly replied, releasing her and bending his legs so that his face could be level with hers. He frowned. "If you want to cover it, you can, but...don't hide it from me." He nodded, a hand reaching to lightly touch the skin beside the wound, knowing better than to touch it directly. "You can correct me all you want, but -I- did this to you. And I need to see it."

She returned the frown, meeting his gaze and looking both confused and worried. She drew her hand up, running it over his cheek and up along his forehead.  Not really understanding why he would want to be reminded of it, she still hesitated, but finally gave a nod. "If... that is what you want."

He could see the confusion in her features, and he offered a light smile at the stroke to his face. "Aye. Hard to explain. Just let me be reminded how I almost lost you...so that I'll always try to make it better." He leaned to touch his lips to her wounded shoulder, beside the jagged wound.

"I... I see..." she trailed the same hand through his hair as he bent to kiss her shoulder. "But there is nothing you must make better... I would bear this again and again to have you here with me."

Madoc smirked at that, nearly chuckled even, as his lips lingered near her skin. "This better be the only one," he mumbled, closing his eyes at the touch to his hair. He nearly forgot why they were there. Nearly. "Join me, then..?"

Arshtat let out another breath and then a nod, "Yes..." She let herself pull away slightly again, removing her skirt and setting it with their other things.

He pulled away just enough to allow her to undress, then rose up, slipped out of his smallclothes, and reached for her hand to lead her to the bath.

Istellia Montagne tilts her head curiously and hums,"At any rate, it's a pleasure to meet you again. I take it you two are... associates now?" She had a wary, almost tinged with disgust tone towards Madoc as she glances to him with a roll of her eyes. She brings up her practiced smile again and leans forward, "So are you going to tell me why you're carrying that thing around?"

"Associates," Madoc Parnell said slowly, looking to Arshtat, and then to Istellia with a slight wiggle of his brows. "That's one word for it," he grinned. The grin faltered slightly at the mention of the sword. "Aye, it's the reason for callin' you. Think I...might be in some trouble."

Istellia blinks and takes another sip from her cup. She peers at Madoc and with a jesting tone, "When aren't you? Ghost of Stanton past come to haunt you? Can't find enough bears to kill?" She flicks her gaze to Arshtat thoughtfully before settling her attention back to Madoc with an amused look that falters into an expression of seriousness. "Whatever it is, it's serious isn't it?"

"Never enough bears," he smirked with a mock seriousness. It soon shifted into real seriousness. "So I've been told. This damned thing," he pointed to the greatsword behind him, "spiritbonded to me. Cursed me. Somethin', and now I can't go anywhere without takin' it with me. And it's...gettin' into my head."

Arshtat Ejinn quietly lets the two banter, glancing at the sword every now and again, and folding her hands in her lap.

Istellia mutters to herself, "And I was just joking about the ghost of that arse." She straightens back up and frowns,"So you're stuck with the dumb thing. How's it getting into your head?"

Madoc wrinkled his nose and took a sip from his glass. "Just a feelin' to use it. To feed it. But I've got no intentions of doin' that. Bunch of mages said it's...takin' over me. I'm wonderin' if maybe Stanton had the same problem, or if this is somethin' new his spirit's conjurin' up for lucky ol' me."

Arshtat frowns at Madoc, remembering all the words spoken during those tests. "They said it... might be easier if they knew of it's origin, yes?"

"I'll reckon Stanton was Ifrit's arse before he got that blade." She leans to the side to observe the blade to the best of her ability, "If it's anything similar, the blades were known to take the personality of their wielders in some manifestation or another. A link with their aether- spiritbond as you know it." 

She drums her fingers along,"That's definitely the work of Cachero's, one he wanted to reclaim at that, but I never thought it to be dangerous to other wielders." Istellia takes another sip of her tea before continuing, "Quite frankly, the blades aren't generally accepting of other people using it. This is a rare instance where the original wielder is dead; therefore the binding is... well..." She waves her hand about.

Madoc's brows rose. "Well shite, I should've called you sooner. You actually know who made this blade? Do they know how to unmake it?"

Arshtat also seemed to perk up a little, finally able to settle on a hope. She continued to fidget with her fingers, but sat a little straighter.

Istellia takes a deep breath and sets the cup down. "Yea, but you won't like who, and I honestly wouldn't know if they know how to. Even if he did, I wouldn't put it above him to put you through several meaningless tasks. The man isn't exactly accommodating to the urgency of others." Istellia rolls her shoulders and leans back,"But there's no certainty to ascertaining his tendencies. I'm sure you remember Cachero, you two briefly met some time ago."

"Mm, think I met 'im once. Not long though," he shrugged, but leaned forward and set the glass aside. "Don't care what I've gotta do. I think jumpin' through a few hoops is worth not losin' my mind, aye?"

Istellia drums her fingers along her cup and glances to Arshtat once more before looking back to Madoc,"Very well, I suppose we could track him down. Though I must ask two things. What possessed you to use the blade in the first place, and do you have any other plans for fixing this? Assuming Cachero cannot help."

Arshtat drops her eyes again, glancing to Madoc, "He used it to protect me..." She answered simply

Madoc gave a small smile to Arshtat, and then he quickly waved his hand. "I had an unfriendly visitor in my apartment about a moon ago. Got between me and my axe, had to use this instead." His head bobbed backwards in motion to the greatsword. "As for other plans, I've got a few mages lookin' into it. Not sure what they'll find, but I'm willin' to do just about anythi--" He paused, glancing toward the performance area, then blinked a few times and looked back again.

Istellia bows her head and hums thoughtfully. She shifts in her chair and tilts the cup back up,"Very well-" She tilts her head and blinks at Madoc, "Eh?" She glances over her shoulder following the xaela's gaze,"Seeing something?"

Arshtat also looks to him as he drifts off mid sentence, tilting her head, "Is it hurting you...?"

Madoc glanced back toward the curtain, his eyes narrowing a bit. "Aye," he said slowly in response to Istellia, then shook his head to Arshtat. "Feel fine, just...probably a coincidence," he tried to smirk. "Thought I saw the bastard Stanton for a second there."

Arshtat frowns at the smirk, glancing to the curtain, "It is... getting worse if you are seeing things. R-Ruran asked that when I spoke to him... maybe I should contact him again as well."

Istellia frowns and shakes her head, "I would like to remind you that Stanton is dead. It would behoove you to keep that in mind for sake of your sanity. We all saw him decapitated, and I assure you that was no illusion."

Madoc Parnell blinked, brows rising. He turned to peer toward her, a playful smirk flitting across his face. "Did you just say 'shite', luv..?" he said slowly, in mock surprise.

Arshtat Ejinn had moved her hand up, half covering her mouth. When he turned to look at her, her blush only darkened, "I..."

"Nay, I heard it," his half-smiled broadening into a grin. "I heard a 'shite' come right out of those lips." He leaned and touched her foul-speaking lips with his. "I'm so proud," he grinned, the taste of alcohol shared between.

Arshtat rolled a bit on the bed and leaning on her arm so he did not have to turn as far into the kiss. "You tease me... he just..." she chews on her lip again, "He makes me so angry."

He gave a low rumble of a chuckle, fully turned to lean his elbows on the bed. "I know, luv. They'll figure things out, one way or another. If not? I'll give you a few drinks, and you can tell 'im how much he's shite."

"Like he would listen to me..." she rolled her eyes slightly, curling her arms under her chin. After a long pause, she looked to him, "And... why are you on the f-floor?"

"Got some head rubs out of it," he smirked. "Want me up there with you?"

She hesitates, glancing to the side but then gives a small nod.

Madoc slipped onto the top of the small bed beside her, scooping her into his arms to have her rest atop his chest, if she allowed. "You're probably gonna be hurtin' in the morning," he spoke, a little amused.

Arshtat easily allowed herself to be picked up again, settling over his chest with a smile. Her face slipped into confusion, drawing her gaze down to him. "Hurting? But I am uninjured...."

"Aye, for now," he teased with a loft of his brows. "Just wait until mornin'. Speakin' of, you feelin' tired yet?"

Arshtat hums, still looking a little confused but not questioning further. Adjusting herself against his chest, she let her eyes close, "A little. Thank you for taking me... I enjoy spending time with you."

He put his arms around her, gently stroking along the braid that cascaded down her back. "'Course," he smiled. "Got plenty of other places we'll go. This is just the start."

She smiled, eyes still closed and letting out a long breath in contentment, "I look forward to it..." A breath, and a pause, "Love you..."

]Madoc gave a breath of a chuckle--a soft thrum heard within his chest. "Love you, too," he murmured, continuing to fondly stroke her braid and back, until she was lulled into sleep.

Arshtat Ejinn gave an amused sigh, keeping the motion of her fingers along his scalp, but took a moment to reach up to poke his nose before returning to it. "Y-You cannot enjoy that yourself..."

Madoc Parnell beamed at the poke, always pleased with any sort of reaction to his teasing. "Maybe I enjoy takin' care of you, luv. Maybe I think it's cute the way you mutter and pull the blankets over your face when I turn the light on." He smirked, then reached for her hair-stroking hand and kissed her fingers.

Arshtat opened her mouth again, half-shocked he would call her out like that. The blush on her cheeks that time was definitely not just the fever. "I...I s-should be the one taking care of y-you," she protested, almost wishing to hide in the blankets again but one hand was now taken by him and the other her tea.

His half-grin practically brimmed with smugness. "No need for that right now, luv," he assured, giving her hand a squeeze. His dark eyes peeked towards her. "Now's my turn to make it up to you."

She furrowed her brow, tilting her head in confusion, "M-Make it up to me? But... you haven't been sick." She returned the squeeze, dropping her eyes down to her mostly finished mug.

Madoc took a final sip of his tankard and set it onto the table, then gave her a small look. "No, but with that sword, I was...a lot worse for a while." A grimace pulled at his lips, before he forced a smirk. He still wasn't a fan of speaking about it specifically yet.

Arshtat quickly flicked her eyes back up to him at that, frowning, "That is not the s-same..." she insisted, leaning over and placing her own mug aside on the table and moving to settle more into the pillow.

Madoc chuckled, "What do you mean, not the same?" Seeing her sidle more onto the bed, there was a small spark of mischief as he swung his legs up and lay beside her, still above the blankets. "You're gonna just have to accept that fact that I'm goin' to care for you, luv. Protest all you like."

She frowned again, tilting her face down as if that would actually help to keep him from being sick. "I am not meaning to s-sound ungrateful at all... It just takes some g-getting used to, to have someone I can rely on... with anything."

Madoc treated the turning of her face as shyness, and thus, a challenge! He shimmied closer, until his face was right next to hers, and he encouraged her with a light kiss to her closest horn. "Anything," he confirmed with a smirk. "I'll prove to you that I'm not goin' anywhere, aye?"

Arshtat smiled after a moment, turning her head back up just slightly. "That's not something I h-have ever doubted..." catching herself, she turned into the pillow and managed to not sneeze into his face, thankfully. Peeking out slowly, she sighed that he was still there, "But do not blame m-me when you get sick too."

"Tch," he dismissed, rolling his eyes. The mighty Madoc was impervious to disease! In defiance, he snuggled a little closer and kissed the tip of her nose. "If I get sick--which I won't--but if I do, it'd be worth it."

Arshtat rolled her eyes slightly, but tucked herself closer in return, forehead to forehead. "I shall remind you of that later..."

"Oh aye?" he smirked, bumping noses and tilting his head to touch his lips to hers. The Xaela proverbially laughed in the face of danger.

She certainly didn't have it in her to fight the kiss, returning it before settling back down with a small smile. "You're terrible..."

He knew it, and his smirk said so. He draped one arm around her, cuddling close while still above the covers, so that he could easily pop upwards if she needed anything throughout the night. He ignored the tingle in his throat.

Beside Arshtat's bedside, one of the long strands of linkpearls chimed. The sound came from an old, weathered crimson pearl. It would not ring forever, but long enough to show that whoever was on the line was willing to wait.

Arshtat Ejinn had been lying in bed, alone with her thoughts after Oyuu had opted to rest at her insisting. He had parted the curtain between them, if she needed anything. The chime startled her, a sound she was unused to hearing in the quiet of the infirmary. Glancing over, she noticed it came from the string of pearls. Madoc's pearls. Her eyes widened, and she willed herself to roll to her side painfully and reached for the strand. "M-Madoc...?" she breathed out, hopeful and worried.

"Oh--" A woman's voice replied, soft middle-aged in tone. Her accent was something foreign, though unidentifiable. "No... Is this--..?" she paused, perhaps in realization, and when she spoke again, it was soft with consideration. "Is this Arshtat? Has...something happened to Madoc?"

Arshtat let out a low sigh, unable to hide the thick sound of disappointment. She did not recognize the voice, but it somehow knew her. "A-Ah...yes..." she shifted back down against the bed, holding the pearl to her horn. "My name is Arshtat... M-Madoc he... he..."

The woman on the pearl knew about Madoc's struggle. Madoc spoke of it in a way that he dare not express to Arshtat; he had promised to be strong for her. She knew that his mind was slipping, that Stanton was seeming all too real, and the anger that gripped his heart was so intense that it hurt to breathe. Knowing this, her voice was quiet with realization. "...He is gone," she finished, and there was a small, silent pause. "I am sorry... He would not have left without a reason."

There was a pained breath across the pearl. Arshtat curled her legs up, holding the string cord that held them so fiercely that her knuckles had gone white. "It is... because of m-me..." she whispered quietly. She did not know this woman, but the words could not be stopped. "He... h-he... must think I am... dead," Arshtat admitted, voice still quiet, an edge of discomfort. "We're... trying to find h-him... p-please... if you might know..."

There was a considerable amount of silence on the opposite end as the woman carefully considered Arshtat's words. She was trained to remain calm, even as her heart raced at the consequences of his disappearance. "I do not know, dear Arshtat," she softly informed. "But I will look for him. I have known him for quite a while, and I believe I may be able to help. So long as you are alive and safe, there is still hope." Her tone was warm with genuine belief.

The silence worried Arshtat, and her eyes flickered back to the red pearl as if willing it to not have gone quiet. The woman on the other end was one of the only pieces she had of Madoc. Her breath caught as the voice finally continued. "I..." she faltered. How did she express that she had failed so miserably? She had wanted so badly to save Madoc, to keep this pain from him. "I will... d-do... anything it takes... th-thank you, for your h-help..."

"I know you will," she quietly encouraged. "And I will do the same, for the both of you. He has spoken quite highly...and quite often of you, did you know? I believe if there is any who can find and reach him, it is you."

"H-He has...?" her small, uncertain voice came over the pearl again. Arshtat was unsure why those words made her chest ache more. She ached all over, but that was the worst pain. "I... I miss him..." she admitted, nearly only to herself.

A soft sound was made, one of sympathy for the young Xaela. "He misses you too, I'm sure of it," she gently assured. She kept her voice light, though it held a hint of sadness for their situation. "That is why there is hope for him. His fondness for you is...quite remarkable, really. ---But you must be tired. I will look for him, and you gain your strength for when he is found."

The woman's voice was so calm and gentle. The sound alone made her face feel warm, and the words finally forced silent tears slip out of tired eyes. Arshtat was relieved this woman could not see them. But she let out a slow breath over the pearl that might have held a hint of them. "W-When... he is found..." she repeated the words, the sound of shuffling blankets would be heard as she settled again, most definitely still beyond weary. "Thank you..."

Madoc Parnell quietly stepped up, having spotted the little Xaela from the yard. "You good, luv?"

Arshtat Ejinn tenses slightly, though she hadn't expected him to follow, "Ah...yes. I am...alright. I should be asking that of you..." she glanced over her shoulder a moment, before looking away again.

Madoc quirked a brow, and he stepped around the bench to take a seat beside her. "Aye, fine, as always," he delivered with a confident half-grin. Then he studied her, expression fading thoughtfully. "You sure? Not like you to just walk out like that."

She sighs, wringing her fingers together, "It is just... they see to treat this as a j-joke, or that it is your fault!" Her voice cracked a bit at the end, firmly looking down to her lap. "I... I put my faith in them and I..."

He instantly shifted closer to her side, an arm reaching to pull her against him. He gently hushed her. "I know, luv, I know. But it doesn't matter what they think. Might be a bunch of insensitive sods, but they're willin' to help. Still worth your faith."

Arshtat drew in a quick breath, biting down on her lip as she was pulled closer. He would probably be able to tell now she was shaking. "It was not your fault! J-Just as it was not my brother's... and yet they call you both fools. T-Treat you as something to... to be prodded at, rather than to... to protect."

Madoc gave a soft huff of a chuckle, holding her trembling form close. "Aye, not our faults," he spoke comfortingly. "Some people just can't control their tongues--includin' me, sometimes. But they mean well. The stress is just gettin' to 'em."

She quiets after a moment, "I'm sorry... I... it was shameful for me  to leave as I did. I... I should have supported you more."

Madoc shook his head, touching his forehead to the top of her hair. "Don't be sorry, luv," he assured, "It's nothin' to be ashamed over, and I don't doubt your support for a moment."

Arshtat presses against his coat, drawing in comfort from the familiar smell. "And I will remain at your side, no matter what they say..." She frowns, "To... hear them speak as if you would turn on them as well. I will not hear it."

"Aye well," The roll of his eyes in his tone was nearly palpable. He gave her a reassuring squeeze, pleased with the close contact. His tail flicked, and he remained with his arms around her until he was certain that she was no longer shaking.

Arshtat was slightly more calm now, slowly quelling the shakes. "I meant what I said... I will do all I can, all that is needed to set you free..." She reached for his branded hand, resting her smaller hand over it.

He noted the contrast of their hands, different in almost every way, and closed his fingers around hers. Softness touched his eyes, but he gently teased, "The sooner the better. 'Curse' or whatnot aside, I miss my axe." He lifted her hand to touch it to his lips. "How 'bout we go back inside, hm? Share a drink?"

She smiled, giving a small nod. His gesture calming her further, "I... will not say no to that. It... relaxes nerves, does it not?"

Madoc nodded. "Aye. And smokin', but I'm not gonna get you hooked on that," he chuckled, then rose up. He offered his hand to her, both to help her up and remain intertwined afterwards.

"How you feelin'..?"

Arshtat Ejinn cannot help but feel the twitch with his arms around her as they were, sighing, "I am... better. Tired, as I am sure you are. But to have an answer, an end in sight... I am more relieved than I can say."

"Mm, aye, I'm ready to ditch this thing," he motioned to the greatsword behind him. He could feel himself being pulled toward it, growing a little louder with every passing day. "Six suns," he mused aloud, curling his arms around her in a gentle hug. "Could stay here for six suns, just like this. That'd make it easy," he smirked.

Arshtat made an amused sound, "In the bath...?" She smiled at him, "Even an Ejinn would admire such a long time spent in the water. Just six suns...," she repeated, assuring herself as much as him.

Madoc Parnell gave light, teasing grin, then nodded with a small 'aye'. He would certainly be counting down the days. Another twitch, another flick of his eyes. He smiled back to her. "Thank you, luv."

Arshtat tilted her head, running fingers over his jaw again. One hand strayed lightly across his skin, ghosting over that grin, "Why do you thank me...?"

Madoc canted his head toward her touch, his left hand holding the small over her back. He intentionally left his right hand hovering, so as not to disturb the moment with the twitching of his fingertips. "For stayin' with me. Standin' beside me. Fightin' for me. ... You give me strength."

She gently moves her hands down and takes his twitching hand between hers, drawing it against her chest. "There is no thanks needed for that... I told you. This is what I want. This is where wish to stay."

In that moment, he had many things he wanted to say, but could decide on none of them. He smiled warmly and leaned to touch his lips to hers. His breath was warm, the taste of his lips whatever alcohol he had drank while she was out on the mission.

Arshtat kept her hands around his, pressing close and returning the kiss. The taste of the alcohol both comforting in familiarity and worrying. But she did not question it. "...Shall we go to bed?"

Madoc lingered his lips close to hers, giving her hands a soft squeeze. "Please," he breathed with a grin, giving her a gentle nudge with his nose.