#viconic

There was a time when Lyra said she would never visit Suldanessellar especially with the chaos that occurred there with the help of Irenicus. The man mage surely caused the Sorcerer to make a bad impression of the beautiful elven city. A part of her wondered how a place so peaceful could create someone so horrid and cruel in nature?

It was not until years later from that fated day that Lyra would finally find herself back in the very city that caused all of her pain. She did not hold any ill will towards the fair Queen Ellesime for the decision she made which lead Irenicus and Bodhi down the path they went. There may have been a time when she did but she grew past that. Now she found herself conversing with said Queen about what she had been up to in the past nearly hundred years. Despite the taint of Bhaal’s essence free from her, Lyra could still feel the influence deep within her so she found a Monastery so she could rekindle with her training since childhood. Which explained why she donned a similar monk like blue attire underneath her cloak.

Unfortunately, their conversation would soon be cut short when Lyra would subtly look through the crowd from the corner of her eye and see a familiar pair of eyes and silk white hair that would resemble…a drow. It was common knowledge that not many drows resided within the city but as she looked closer…Lyra just knew. Hells she could know her from within a mad crowd ready to burn her to the stake.

“Forgive me, your Majesty. I just remembered I forgot something.”

The House of Grief left a bitter taste on Jaheira’s tongue, sharp and lingering like poison. She didn’t want to believe that Viconia could have fallen so low. The drow was ruthless, yes. Cruel, even. But stealing children, torturing them, wiping their minds clean? Even in her darkest memories, Jaheira could not align that level of wickedness with the woman she had once known. But Viconia was there, the self-proclaimed “Mother Superior,” her voice laced with icy detachment as she stared them down. It didn’t seem right, didn’t fit the shape of the memories Jaheira clung to, but doubt gnawed at her. Memory alone was unreliable, and frustration had a way of warping the truth. Jaheira’s mind raced, battling her heart, that so stubbornly refused to acknowledge what her eyes had seen.

She wanted to deny it.

She had to.

But she couldn't.

An insidious feeling coiled in the pit of her stomach and spread its cold fingers through her chest. She had slain a former ally, a sister-in-arms who had once shared the blood and sweat of battle with her. A friend. The echo of it should have brought tears, hot and stinging, to her eyes, but they wouldn’t come. Instead, she felt hollow, as if something essential had been scraped out of her, leaving only a void. Each step was heavier than the last as she dragged herself through the streets of Baldur's Gate, following her new companions without a word. Jaheira didn’t know if she deserved the weight of mourning or if she’d already lost the right to it ever since she raised her blade.

They were heading back through the city’s gates when she saw it — an all-too-familiar face in the crowd. She froze mid-step, eyes widening in disbelief.

"Vi...conia...?"

The name tumbled out of her mouth, unsteady and raw. Her mind reeled in confusion, her heart beating erratically in her chest. Viconia? How could it be? She blinked twice, as if to clear away a haze, eyes wide, throat dry as if she had seen a ghost. Her relief was almost overwhelming, but also laced with questions. This was her Viconia, wasn’t it? The one she had fought beside, shared triumphs and bloodshed with. The one who had risked herself as readily as Jaheira had for her, over and over.

But how? When? Where had she been all this time?

Jaheira’s heart tightened. No, it couldn't be. The years must have finally caught with her head, and now her mind was playing pranks on her.

But... if this was true, if Viconia was here, then who had they just faced in the House of Grief? Questions swirled as she struggled to keep a smile from breaking free, the sharp tang of hope mixed with her disbelief. She let out a shaky half-laugh, almost unable to contain the rush of emotion. “You’re late, drow...” she called, voice cracking with equal parts humor and uncertainty. “And not even fashionably.”

It was reckless, even desperate, to hope so. But Jaheira couldn’t help herself. If there was a chance this was real, she would take it. If it wasn't, she could always apologize and play the confused old lady with a slippery mind.

"no, you didn't." the words are said matter of factly. "but if I let you try to walk on that ankle i can almost sense jaheria will be mad at me for it, and while i don't really get whatever it is two gave going on," they shrugged, "jaheria scares me more than you do."

How Intimidating Am I ?

this is truly the only correct answer. i have evidence. my turn to leak adam & fungi dms:

Jaheira and @viconic are getting a baby.

Jaheira squinted at the basket, arms crossed and a frown deep as a chasm. The baby, a tiny half-drow, blinked up at her with the kind of serenity only infants and utterly clueless fools could manage. It was swaddled in blankets so bright and colourful they practically screamed, “Take me in, I’m adorable!” As if someone had thought, Let’s advertise this like a rare collectible.

She glanced left, then right, scanning the street for any sign of the perpetrator — or perhaps the gods themselves descending to explain this cosmic joke. Nothing. Just the baby. Smug. Peaceful. Maddening.

The baby cooed. Jaheira sighed. Of course, it’s cute. That’s how they get you.

“Viconia?” she called, louder than intended, voice carrying an edge of disbelief. “We’ve got a… situation.”

Gods give her strength. The sorcerer released a shaken breath as her hands found themselves caressing her love’s arms.

“ As you wish. “

Hands trailing up her arms until she reached Viconia’s shoulders, Lyra then turned her around before her hands found the source to the zipper on the back. Her lips caressing the back of her neck as she slowly pulled the zipper down inch by inch.