Satile, Suburb of the Ruby City
Day 1
Nighttime
@Dakota K5 @Elvario @Polaris North @signed Kiss @Kyatto @Giftvi @conman2163
It'd been years since Lysithian had seen the inside of a carriage, though he had never been in one. Usually it was his father's, but every now and then was a guest or sycophant too. This one probably rated a sycophant. It was posh and utterly comfortable to sit in with deep cushioned seats of a dyed, rich crimson. But not purple. Dressed in a borrowed black cloaked with gold trim form that sufficiently covered the tattered rags of vest and pants that he always wore.
After all, he thought as he idly gazed out at the cobble and buildings flashing on by,
when traveling in the Ruby City, appearances must be kept.
He shot a lazy grin at the only occupant of the ostentatious compartment. She returned it with a meaningful glare, to which he rolled his eyes. After all, it was she who dressed him up as such. A simple, method to hid him as they traveled miles by land, then miles more by sea, until more miles before reaching the capital. Weeks to months of work in bringing him across the world. Lysithian's interest in the whole affair only rose the whole way. After all, if they were going to kill him, they would've been wise to do it the night they met.
***
A storm was raging upon that day, so long yet so short ago. Mixing with the pained shouts of a fool-hardy pack of soldiers. The latest to hunt after rumors of a man who robbed merchants and burnt their wares. She showed up with a terse expression, stepping lightly through the mud and rain and over fallen soldiers with a cowled cloak and artisan high heels and watched as he battled the last soldier. The warrior was breathing heavily, Lysithian was far better. Parrying and jabbing the soldier's sword strokes, yet seemingly unable to penetrate the plated armor. But that wasn't the goal anyway for, when the soldier struck again, Lysithian's parry carried him close to the helm. A split second later, his palm found the soldier's visor. A flash, and a scream of agony saw Lysithian dancing lightly away while the man swung wildly with one hand and scrabbled at his visor with the other. Snapping it open, one could see his face properly at last. Except for his eyes. The sockets had been charred horrendously. Blinded, agony and despair mixed with the man's cries as cooling water fell from the heavens. Lysithian turned to face the cowled woman and waved merrily. A shadow of a frown curled her lips.
"What?" he asked as he sauntered over.
"Nothing," she replied, though distaste remained in her voice.
"Them?" he guessed, "they'll be alright if someone heals them. And, if not, least they'll live." Which was certainly true. Every single body littering the muddy ground was breathing. Though, each and every one of them had their visors open, trying to cool their scorched eyes again, begging to see. "So, what's a fellow skave doing out here anyway?"
"Looking for you."
"Oh good! I was hoping someone like you would turn up, eventually."
He smiled as she sought to reconcile his cheery response with her business with him, "why?"
"Cause I want to join."
"Join what?"
"Whatever group you're with."
"Who says I'm even a part of a 'group'?"
"You wouldn't have searched me out and waited for me to finish fighting otherwise."
"Who says I'm not here to kill you?"
"Should've attacked when I was fighting then."
"Lure you into a trap?"
"You're not evil enough."
She seemed to mull over his words before deciding to let the matter lie. "Come," she said, "I'll explain what little I can on the way, though we have a long journey ahead."
"Sure thing, little lady," he replied. Though that was far from fair. After all, there was only a few inches difference between their heights and they went in her favor.
"You'll need something else to wear."
"What, and ruin my roguish charm?"
"Yes."
***
"We've arrived," the terse voice of Meysha cut him out of his idle reminiscence. Her name took a long while to draw out, but at least it made the trip more interesting. The man threw himself to his feet, keeping the cloak tucked about him. Out of the carriage they went and up to the sprawling manor. Down the carriage steps and up the sweeping set that lead to the entrance and into the grand hall. As soon as the doors closed, he swept off his cloak and, gently waving off the skave that offered to take it, hung it himself in the nearby wardrobe. Then he noticed two strange things about the place. First, was that some fellow skaves were cleaning up blood, hardly a surprise for at least his household. Second, was the lack of utter dread. Certainly, the staff played at it quite well. Scurrying about in a nervous titter as starving mice seeking for mere specks of cheese. And perhaps it was only how horrific his own home had been, by Lysithian definitely felt a difference.
Well, no point on ruminating on it for now, he thought,
time for business. Meysha was waiting half-way up the stairs to, wherever they were going with her now familiar would-you-move face on. Naturally, he gently laid aside his staff and offered to help clean up instead. She fumed, he grinned. The fellow skaves seemed half-confused at his request but, after grabbing some of the cleaning supplies and setting to work, they accepted it. He tried chit-chat, but not a soul responded. Even his wine and blood jokes went nowhere.
Inside his head, Lysithian wore a sad frown. People seemed to continually lack the ability to smile and laugh. The clouds had stolen both the sun and their smiles. He'd work on that, somehow. Another reason to be here. Together, Lysithian cleaned his section as other skaves toiled elsewhere. Finally, he took back his staff and followed the exasperated Meysha upstairs and through another set of broad doors.
"Sirs? I've brought another one."
Another one? he thought. Then took a guess and, as he strode into the room, greeted, "Cousins! So good to meet you at last, pleasure in fact. I…" catching the medical work going on and the further pools of blood, Lysithian spun around, "better get more cleaning supplies. Be back in a jiffy."
"You stay here!" Meysha interjected as she grabbed Lysithian's coller, "I will get cleaning supplies and the medical kit. I didn't haul you hear for months on end just to have you run as a wild bull about the place! Now stay and listen!" Then she slammed the doors in his face.
His spirit undeterred, Lysithian whirled again and surveyed what he assumed where to be his compatriots. "Real spitfire her. Specially when you crack her silence. Anywho, I'm Lysithian Thresh and it's a pleasure to meet you all! Need any help with that wound sir and madam?"