At Your Service

She takes a deep breath and clears her throat. The gentleman is waiting after all.

"I am Lavinia, colleague and ... girlfriend of Valen. I need not explain who he is, do I? I simply wish to inquire if there is anything I should know before he and I-- before we tie the knot."

(@windmaedchen-lavinia)

Valen... that name certainly does ring a bell.

Ah, I remember now. The young man whom I had banned from the Pavilion five years ago for disrupting the balance of the games. His card skills were certainly... memorable.

Unfortunately, that meant many dissatisfied customers complaining of their chances being stripped away in his presence.

As an organisation who prioritises fairness above all else, I am sure you understand that something simply had to be done.

...But even so, I see that fortune has continued to smile upon that young man. I must admit, I had not expected him to get engaged so soon.

"He was ... he was that good?"

She knows that Valen's card skills are good. After all he just recently had entered a local casino and successfully concluded the related case. But she frankly had just attributed that to luck. If this is his background, though, then no wonder does he know so well.

...Yes, I can assure you that is all.

Lavinia stops herself. She DOES think him to be a troublemaker at times, so really she shouldn't be that surprised. After a sigh, she gently straightens her back and nods at the gentleman before her.

"Well, since you have nothing to prevent me from doing so... I shall keep Valen tied in Holistone and away from your establishment."

She takes a deep breath and clears her throat. The gentleman is waiting after all.

"I am Lavinia, colleague and ... girlfriend of Valen. I need not explain who he is, do I? I simply wish to inquire if there is anything I should know before he and I-- before we tie the knot."

(@windmaedchen-lavinia)

Valen... that name certainly does ring a bell.

Ah, I remember now. The young man whom I had banned from the Pavilion five years ago for disrupting the balance of the games. His card skills were certainly... memorable.

Unfortunately, that meant many dissatisfied customers complaining of their chances being stripped away in his presence.

As an organisation who prioritises fairness above all else, I am sure you understand that something simply had to be done.

...But even so, I see that fortune has continued to smile upon that young man. I must admit, I had not expected him to get engaged so soon.

"He was ... he was that good?"

She knows that Valen's card skills are good. After all he just recently had entered a local casino and successfully concluded the related case. But she frankly had just attributed that to luck. If this is his background, though, then no wonder does he know so well.

"Alright, that's about it, I'm retiring"

Oh, come on, General. You're not that heartless are you? We've been so busy here in Holistone already, and now you want to dump even more work on me?

Lavi gently chuckles. Something about the situation amused her. Was it the obvious fake, uncaring nature and lack of responsibility of her General, who would never dream to simply step out of his duties like that without proper preparation? Was it the fact that Valen reacted too seriously to it? Or perhaps that both knew how ridiculous it was and still played along? She calmed herself and gently shook her head.

"General, I am afraid I must remind you of the procedures necessary for such a step. If you insist, I will get the papers for you and personally deliver them to Savannah... or... perhaps you wish to take some time off first, privately, without much fuss? Rest assured, both Valen and I will make sure things keep running smoothly."

She pushes her elbow into Valen's side, a smirk on her face.

"Toplander. I am here on orders from @high-priestess-velara. Have you come across any foreign documents?"

Lavinia looks up in some surprise. Even though the contact with Magister Merlin allowed her to get used to magical appearances out of nowhere, she didn't quite think it was possible, or necessary, in the outskirts of Holistone.

Still, even though she has never seen a design such as this, she recognizes the visitor as a fellow soldier and stands up to salute her.

"Welcome."

Short but sufficient. The yawn and tired eyes of the guard tell Lavinia she isn't here to cause trouble. No need for particular caution then.

"No, I cannot say I have seen any documents that I wouldn't know what to do with." 

Lavinia's thoughts move to Valen's reports, which, as foreign as they sometimes can appear to be, still were easily dealt with.

"Are you missing important documents then? I can be of service to you. The Heroic Order can help with the retrieval of lost items. If you wish, you can open a report with me. As soon as that is done, we can get started with the investigation."

The guard yawns before continuing her speech. The purple glow surrounding her flickers.

Lavinia noticed the flicker of the magic surrounding the guard but is uncertain about its effects. She makes a mental note to share this strange magic with Merlin later on. She guides the Essail over the bridge towards the city gate continuing to inquire and see if the guard is willing to trust the Heroic Order with the task.

Her impression that this guard is putting in hardly any effort is not communicated. Perhaps it is better not to expend resources for help that aren't truly desired. The lost and found cabinet will do, it seems.

"There, that is the Heroic Order." Lavinia points at a building just across the road now and she leads the guard right into the main hall and off to the side. There is a large cabinet that hold various smaller sized items, including books and other paperwork.

"Please, have a look. This is where we keep all found documents for some time."

The Guard bows with a hand to her heart, then rubs her eyes before sifting through the files. As she does, the purple glow begins fading. She cries out and collapses to the floor.

"Stay away, please!"

Strange. Returning to the offices wasn't peculiar, but why did she stop here by the lost and found items? She takes a couple of papers and sorts them back into the drawers.

"Toplander. I am here on orders from @high-priestess-velara. Have you come across any foreign documents?"

Lavinia looks up in some surprise. Even though the contact with Magister Merlin allowed her to get used to magical appearances out of nowhere, she didn't quite think it was possible, or necessary, in the outskirts of Holistone.

Still, even though she has never seen a design such as this, she recognizes the visitor as a fellow soldier and stands up to salute her.

"Welcome."

Short but sufficient. The yawn and tired eyes of the guard tell Lavinia she isn't here to cause trouble. No need for particular caution then.

"No, I cannot say I have seen any documents that I wouldn't know what to do with." 

Lavinia's thoughts move to Valen's reports, which, as foreign as they sometimes can appear to be, still were easily dealt with.

"Are you missing important documents then? I can be of service to you. The Heroic Order can help with the retrieval of lost items. If you wish, you can open a report with me. As soon as that is done, we can get started with the investigation."

The guard yawns before continuing her speech. The purple glow surrounding her flickers.

Lavinia noticed the flicker of the magic surrounding the guard but is uncertain about its effects. She makes a mental note to share this strange magic with Merlin later on. She guides the Essail over the bridge towards the city gate continuing to inquire and see if the guard is willing to trust the Heroic Order with the task.

Her impression that this guard is putting in hardly any effort is not communicated. Perhaps it is better not to expend resources for help that aren't truly desired. The lost and found cabinet will do, it seems.

"There, that is the Heroic Order." Lavinia points at a building just across the road now and she leads the guard right into the main hall and off to the side. There is a large cabinet that hold various smaller sized items, including books and other paperwork.

"Please, have a look. This is where we keep all found documents for some time."

"Toplander. I am here on orders from @high-priestess-velara. Have you come across any foreign documents?"

Lavinia looks up in some surprise. Even though the contact with Magister Merlin allowed her to get used to magical appearances out of nowhere, she didn't quite think it was possible, or necessary, in the outskirts of Holistone.

Still, even though she has never seen a design such as this, she recognizes the visitor as a fellow soldier and stands up to salute her.

"Welcome."

Short but sufficient. The yawn and tired eyes of the guard tell Lavinia she isn't here to cause trouble. No need for particular caution then.

"No, I cannot say I have seen any documents that I wouldn't know what to do with." 

Lavinia's thoughts move to Valen's reports, which, as foreign as they sometimes can appear to be, still were easily dealt with.

"Are you missing important documents then? I can be of service to you. The Heroic Order can help with the retrieval of lost items. If you wish, you can open a report with me. As soon as that is done, we can get started with the investigation."

The guard yawns before continuing her speech. The purple glow surrounding her flickers.

Lavinia noticed the flicker of the magic surrounding the guard but is uncertain about its effects. She makes a mental note to share this strange magic with Merlin later on. She guides the Essail over the bridge towards the city gate continuing to inquire and see if the guard is willing to trust the Heroic Order with the task.

Woah, easy there. (Valen reaches out a hand to help steady Lavi before turning to the other visitor).

Sorry about my friend here. We've had a long day, so we're a little tired. I guess she didn't see you there.

(Turns back to Lavi) You alright, Lav? Don't tell me you spent so much time behind a desk that you've forgotten how to walk. I might have to carry you if that's the case, and no one wants that.

If there is a blush, it's well hidden in the early darkness of the night. "Even if I did, I'd hardly tell you."

She readies herself and takes two more steps out onto the street, but it's not quite as steady as she'd like. Perhaps that one drink on the house wasn't the best idea. Then again, it's hardly anything more than just being a little tipsy. Not that Valen needs to know that, though.

"Besides", Lavinia turns around to her colleague again, a teasing smirk on her lips. "I am rather heavy with my armor and you'd look way too undignified carrying me. I don't want to ruin your reputation." 

She doesn't get too comfy, as she is running errands, but the odd minute or two she can easily spare.

“Hello there, Lavinia,” Sena greets warmly as he turns to face the knight. “Your assumptions about the gods aren’t entirely incorrect,” he begins, sliding the knight a glass of cold fruit juice.

“Most gods did come into existence as fully formed beings, and stayed that way until their fall. Me being born as a child and then ageing into an adult was actually quite the anomaly,” Sena says matter-of-factly. “And since the other gods were essentially ageless, they never saw the need to commemorate developmental milestones the way mortals do.”

A small smile tugs at the gods lips. “Maulers on the other hand have several customs that mark the transition from childhood to adulthood, many of which I got to experience while being raised by my father.”

“For instance, Maulers with more predatory natures often embark on their first solo hunt when they’re between the ages of fifteen and eighteen, though the exact age varies depending on the clan. It’s a very significant event for most young Maulers, and usually consists of them temporarily leaving their clan in order to track down their quarry. If their hunt is successful, they will return home with their prey and be acknowledged as an adult who is capable of providing for themselves. This is usually accompanied with a celebration, and a ceremony to mark their first successful hunt as a grown up. But if they fail, they’ll continue to be treated as a cub until they’re ready to try again,” he explains.

“A Mauler’s first hunt is a point of pride, and usually serves as a predictor for the type of person they’ll grow into. Everything from their chosen prey, to how it was caught contributes towards how the hunter and their triumph will be percieved.” A nostalgic look crosses Sena’s face as he leans back in his seat. “For instance, my first hunt had happened entirely unplanned. I was fifteen at the time, or rather, the relative equivalent of that, so I was still in my young and impulsive phase. When I heard about a viscious beast that had been plaguing a small settlement near the outskirts of Karthik, my first instinct had been to just get rid of it. So when it fled after being injured in our fight, I gave chase. I didn’t realise that it counted as my first hunt until after the deed was done,” Sena recounts with a rueful shake of his head.

“Baba said it was just like me to do something so reckless,” he chuckles. “To get so protective that I rush into things without thinking it through first. And I guess he was right about that…”

Sena gives a bittersweet smile, mindlessly tracing the scar on his chest through the fabric of his shirt. A tangible reminder of just how accurate the Dusk Lord’s assessment had ended up being.

Snapping out of his reverie, Sena slips off his gloves, revealing the intricate golden patterns etched into his skin. “There’s my markings too,” he says, shifting the focus of the conversation.

“Tattoos are another major part of Mauler culture. When children are still young, they’re either entirely free of identifiers or receive temporary ones in the form of paint, dyes or henna markings. When a Mauler comes of age, they receive their first permanent tattoo, though the style, colour and placement vary per individual. Tattoos are often added to mark important events, connections and achievements. They can signify everything from ones clan, heritage, and marital status to one’s accolades in battle. And as such, are strongly tied to one’s identity.”

“They’re normally bestowed by an elder, accompanied by a small ceremony, but since I’m a divine being, mine tend to just appear and disappear as they see fit,” he says, half-jokingly.

He then glances back at Lavinia, noticing the way she shifts nervously in her seat, fidgeting with the empty glass, hey eyes occasionally darting towards the clock on the wall.

“My apologies, Lavi, it seems I ended up rambling again. I won’t keep you from your duties any longer,” he says sheepishly, giving the knight a curt nod.

Translations:

Baba (Hindi): Used to refer to one's father, grandfather, or male elder. Often used as a term of respect or endearment for an older male relative or a spiritual leader.

Lavi will maybe one day have the privilege to see more of Sena's tattoos, I think I read somewhere he's not so willing to show them off.

Your favourite knight, @sir-valen

"Very good, actually", she responds immediately. "I only meet up with the Magister twice a week and can always postpone that."

She then tilts her had and slightly furrows her brows. This wasn't out of the ordinary work for a Solitary and they often worked in pairs but she can't recall having heard about this particular on-going case.

"What's the case file? I should probably have a look at that before next week. Better be prepared than sorry afterwards. And even though I will primarily help you complete the looks of your cover, two pairs of eyes are better than one, right?"

Lavinia shares an eager smile. While her observation skills are excellent, she isn't the best of actors after leaving the capital. But this is an easy enough assignment and being out with Valen always lifts her spirits.

It's nothing major, just some suspicious spending activity from one of the nobles in the area. They're probably just being frivolous with their money, like usual, but The General wants us to investigate just to be safe.

He's worried they might be funding the Adamant Syndicate in secret since they knew Lord Franz, but I think he's just being anxious. Either way, it wouldn't hurt to check.

And when it comes to a case like this, there's no one I'd rather have by my side than you.

"You just enjoy me taking over the paperwork afterwards, don't you?" Lavinia responds while she gently but decidedly pushes away Valen's hand out of her way. "But the straightforward task division between us certainly does contribute to ... a shared sentiment."

She then sighs, crossing her arms for support as she bends over a little bit. "'So stressed' is perhaps a little exaggerated but I definitely have seen too little of Holistone, the Traveler's Light, even my own room... not that I envy you running around in the light rain of the past few days but the amount of foreign reports I had to examine was definitely ... something."

And just as her mind returns to the glaring inconsistencies of those papers, the questions about Valen's case come flooding in, too, and she mumbles more to herself, brows furrowed again.

See, overthinking like this is the exact reason you get so stressed in the first place.

I swear, sometimes you and The General act more like worriers than warriors.

Listen, don't focus too much on the details. Just have fun, and I'll handle the rest.

"And if you truly wanted to have a break, you would need to bribe Dura into sending us less trouble to deal with, colleagues who cover for us and a General who's relaxed enough to let us go."

Lavinia sighs heavily. Her work was everything to her but the idea of having so much time at hand to go out for a nice long evening without having to worry about any cases or mornings after is really rather alluring.

"Ah, it'll be nice, I am sure", she remarks thinking about the event next week. "Since you prefer me not to think at this point, please do instruct me as soon as you can about dress code. And your contingency plans, please."

Your favourite knight, @sir-valen

"Very good, actually", she responds immediately. "I only meet up with the Magister twice a week and can always postpone that."

She then tilts her had and slightly furrows her brows. This wasn't out of the ordinary work for a Solitary and they often worked in pairs but she can't recall having heard about this particular on-going case.

"What's the case file? I should probably have a look at that before next week. Better be prepared than sorry afterwards. And even though I will primarily help you complete the looks of your cover, two pairs of eyes are better than one, right?"

Lavinia shares an eager smile. While her observation skills are excellent, she isn't the best of actors after leaving the capital. But this is an easy enough assignment and being out with Valen always lifts her spirits.

It's nothing major, just some suspicious spending activity from one of the nobles in the area. They're probably just being frivolous with their money, like usual, but The General wants us to investigate just to be safe.

He's worried they might be funding the Adamant Syndicate in secret since they knew Lord Franz, but I think he's just being anxious. Either way, it wouldn't hurt to check.

And when it comes to a case like this, there's no one I'd rather have by my side than you.

"You just enjoy me taking over the paperwork afterwards, don't you?" Lavinia responds while she gently but decidedly pushes away Valen's hand out of her way. "But the straightforward task division between us certainly does contribute to ... a shared sentiment."

She then sighs, crossing her arms for support as she bends over a little bit. "'So stressed' is perhaps a little exaggerated but I definitely have seen too little of Holistone, the Traveler's Light, even my own room... not that I envy you running around in the light rain of the past few days but the amount of foreign reports I had to examine was definitely ... something."

And just as her mind returns to the glaring inconsistencies of those papers, the questions about Valen's case come flooding in, too, and she mumbles more to herself, brows furrowed again.

*Lavinia is no longer in her armor and wears a light shirt over fitting trousers and light, short boots. The sword is still hanging by the side of her hips. She appears a little agitated, however, which is a little unusual.*

He did warn us that his assignment will take a couple of days but... it will 5 days tomorrow and... I just can't help to worry a little bit.

“Oh, hello Lavi,” Sena greets warmly. “It’s nice to see you again.”

He pauses for a moment, his expression pensive. “But no, I’m afraid Valen hasn’t popped by recently. He’s been rather occupied with ‘official Heroic Order business’ as he put it.”

Sena pauses, giving Lavinia a reassuring smile. “I’m sure there’s no need to worry though. Valen often gets side-tracked when chasing down leads about a new case, every time he stumbles across a particularly interesting tidbit, he can’t help but investigate further.”

“And besides,” he continues, his voice taking on a more playful note, “If he hasn’t contacted me to bail him out yet, then things can’t be going that badly, can they?”

*When Sena offers the tea, she is visibly hesitant. She fiddles with the sleeves of her shirt and a tint of red appears on her cheeks.*

Oh, well... sure, why not. I always enjoy tea. 

*She pauses again, thinking about how to explain this to Sena. She trusts this man more than anyone else, apart from Valen of course, but she wasn't at all sure that he was the right person to mention this to. If she had a choice, she would rather talk to Esme, but she wasn't around and letters always took a while even if the pigeons were quite efficient.*

It's really nothing serious. I mean, it certainly shouldn't be and I do trust Valen. Really. *A pause* But I happen to know some of the people he needs to get in touch with and ... one of them just ... she likes to get really warm with people like Valen.

... and she's really good at that, too. 

“I assure you, Lavi, my son isn’t the type of man to be so easily swayed. Especially not when he’s already found someone he’s so thoroughly captivated with,” he mused, shooting the knight a playful wink.

“Though I suppose it’s only natural you feel this way,” he reassured, handing Lavinia the ornate teacup. “We all get a tad bit jealous now and then, especially when someone is being a bit too attentive towards our partners.”

Sena chuckles sheepishly as he retrieves his own cup, bringing the delicate porcelain to his lips with a wistful expression. “I would bet my very soul on Hogan’s loyalty, but that doesn’t stop me from acting like a disgruntled house cat whenever someone else tries to win his affections,” he jokes, his tone amused but somewhat self-deprecating.

Sena’s gaze softens as it flickers over to the knight, taking note of her tense posture. “What I’m trying to say, Lavinia, is that it’s a perfectly normal reaction to have in this situation,” he says earnestly. “It’s not silly, or weak, it’s just...human.”

*Lavinia accepts the cup of tea and even though it's quite hot, she prefers to hold and play with it before she relaxes enough to take a careful sip.*

"And in your case at least, I hope, you know by now that you can talk with the General about it. For me, I feel like I would insult Valen greatly by daring to mention it once he's back. As if I didn't trust him."

*A small sigh escapes her lips.*

"I just remember her from the offices in Savannah. She made all her relationship issues our business and thus kept reporting about her plans to "conquer" another colleague of ours. To my horror she actually succeeded with her overly tasteless, suggestive approaches."

*She sighs deeply, looking down into her teacup. She even hunches over a little, trying to become smaller to evade the grasp of her uncomfortable feelings. Then she carefully looks over to Sena, her face taking on a red tint.*

He takes another sip of his tea, listening patiently as Lavinia explains the situation, his brows furrowing slightly.

At her question, Sena sets down his cup, giving Lavinia a soft, almost paternal look. “If I’m being honest, Lavi, I think that Valen likes you the way that you are,” Sena assures, his voice earnest. “He fell in lo-“ Sena abruptly cuts himself off, clearing his throat quickly as if he just realised he was about to let something slip. “He developed feelings for you because he likes the real you. Because he admires everything about you, from your convictions to your character. I doubt he’d ever want you to compromise on that for his sake.”

“And while I do think he’d appreciate you being more forthcoming about your feelings towards him, it’s important that you do that in your own way and only when you’re ready. Your approach should be honest and from the heart, not something you copied from someone else. After all, Valen cares about you,” Sena advises.

He pauses, a gentle smile tugging at his lips. “Besides, I think you both deserve something genuine, don’t you? Pretending to be someone or something you're not seems counterintuitive. ”

She lets Sena continue and quietly listens to his views. She hummed here and sighed there to show that she heard him but there was little she could respond. It didn't take much contemplating to understand that he's right.

With a blush and shy smile she turns to him for a thanks. "I always thought how unexpected it was that of all the young men out there I had to set my heart on Valen, and after so many years of separation ... but even more unfathomable is that he actually seems to like me back. It's just so special, it scares me to think of any possibility that might break it."

"But what you said also suggests that communication is the glue to hold it together, so...", she inhales with newfound conviction and straightens up, "... I will talk to him when he's back. Somehow."

The General seems to be herding an already rattled group of the local farmers, hands full.

(@general-hogan)

General! *Lavinia salutes immediately, the files in her arm notwithstanding.*

Of course! I can always make time for your orders. I shall take these papers inside and then be on my way. Guywin and Joey are on back-up, I will take them with me.

*She nods but before she turns to get ready, she asks one or two more things.*

"I am certain this is a hypogean's doing, but it feels moreso like... a prank? That kind of behavior sounds familiar but the Magister is not around, so we'll have to deal with this issue carefully."

"General... I-"

She swallows heavily. He is clearly busy and they cannot afford to loose much time. But she also knows for a fact, that her legs could never take her to risk a meeting with Berial after what she's been through.

But Valen wasn't there. At least not in immediate vicinity. There was maybe Miles, but he is at the end of his shift and tired. Wait, what if? She spoke as soon as the idea struck her.