Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588 
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Post by Ivory on Mar 1, 2021 18:08:13 GMT -8
Among the Hedge of Las Vegas rose a new Hollow, a stout, small structure reminiscent of an old hunting lodge that rested in a clearing just big enough to accommodate it’s bulk. It had been the result of significant labor by scale and crystal, standing as a small testament to the growing investment the pair were fostering in one another. The amber glow in the window and the smoke raising from the chimney signified to Kai Rose upon her arrival that the Hollow’s other owner was finally in attendance. Ivory had been very private since the day the Wizened had left her and Anthony to go on her run, though the boy did confirm he had seen her briefly, though his tone was plain and short, evading much in the way of mentions of his parental figure. She was home, locked away in the basement or, on the occasions when that door was ajar, gone from the house, her car not within the driveway. Ivory was present in what would pass as the structure’s living room, a pair of large leather seats with matching side tables, situated in front of the fireplace. The Pale Dragon herself was seated in one, a glass of amber liquid in one of her clawed hands as she watched the flames. Noticeably, the Pale Dragon’s Mien had changed, shifting as her connection to the Wyrd had grown stronger. The patches of smooth, ivory scales now covered much of her form, save her palms, chest, and stomach. Her face too bore many more scales than before, granting her face a slight shimmer in the fire’s light. Her horns had gotten thicker at the base and longer, but by and large the shift was minor compared to the great guardian of hoards Ivory scarcely remembered being during her Durance. The Mantle of Spring, too, was more potent, drawing a slight feeling of anticipation and possessive of the occasional flicker of dim, golden halo. |
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Post by Kai Rose on Mar 1, 2021 19:24:08 GMT -8
The door from the Real opened, revealing the backdrop of Kai's ensuite. She stepped through and sealed the passageway behind her with a turning of her hand and a push of Will, a colorful wave pushing Reality and the Hedge apart once more. She'd been working here, setting things up and pushing out against the boundaries of the Hedge to strengthen the Hollow's Wards. It was something to do. Ivory had been quiet lately, but here she sat...
...transformed. The Polychromatic's eyebrows raised, impressed.
"Ivory. Your Season's blessings. The scales. You look... powerful. Strong."
She had brought a glass of water with her, which she sipped as she sat down next to the Fairest.
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Mar 1, 2021 20:25:42 GMT -8
The familiar voice spurred some reaction from the Fairest, her golden gaze landing on the Wizened as she took her place at the empty chair.
The Pale Dragon's face seemed contemplative, almost aloof before it saw the source of the voice. Ivory's expression softened, growing warmer at the Polychromatic's presence. On the edges, though, there was a certain sadness.
"One has to be, no?" she says. Her words come out as dry, as if she hadn't spoken for some time, "I'll admit the blessing is a relief... it has been a source of comfort."
Turning back to the fire the Pale Dragon took a drink of her whisky. Despite the beverage, Ivory was cognizant. Clearly it was likely her first.
"It occurs to me I never offered my congratulations on the growth of your own favor," she offers, "Congratulations, Kai. The rise couldn't happen to a better Summer. Although... I sense it is only the beginning."
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Post by Kai Rose on Mar 1, 2021 21:26:05 GMT -8
"Thanks, and you're correct," Kai agreed, a certain sure edge in her eye that might not have been easily detected in anybody but her. Then, her eyes clocked the glass. "You know, drinking alone is usually a warning sign. Doesn't take a Polychromatic to recognize the signs of you being bummed. How you holding up, Ivory?"
It was readily apparent that some sort of Conversation had been had. Given the fact that she hadn't seem stoked, it probably had not gone the way the Fairest wanted it to.
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Mar 1, 2021 22:18:53 GMT -8
Ivory gave a weary chuckle. Her eyes looking to the glass and setting it aside with a sigh.
"Better?" she quipped, returning her hands to her laps.
She'd return the look to the fire.
"I told him the truth, Kai," she said after a few long moment, "Or rather showed him... We had gotten in an argument and he brought up the overdose again. In that little, shitty sarcastic way he likes to do. And I was tired of it. So I snapped my fingers, showed him the Mien and told him my life was beyond his comprehension."
The Pale Dragon cleared her throat.
"He was so afraid..." she recalled, her voice quivering at the memory, "So I re-masked... and then he said so many things... That I'm a martyring myself, that I'm letting Evelyn manipulate me against him... That he feels like I'm doing all of it because he isn't enough."
Ivory looked back at Kai, regaining her composure, even as an errant tear broke away to worm it's way down the amalgamation of scales and soft flesh of her cheeks.
"He mentioned intimate details of our first meeting as well..." she said.
So thanks for that.
"I'm losing my son, Kai," she affirmed, "Looking back, there is more I should have said, to explain things, but I didn't. So, with all due respect, I think I can be allowed one fucking drink while I try to find a way to fix it."
The flash of anger was followed by a regretful grimace.
"I'm... sorry," she said, granting a rare, true apology, "It's just... no matter what I do, I don't see a way to fix this. If I tell him the nature of the investigation, he's going to say I'm still a martyr and that it doesn't change anything. If I tell him he needs to leave it alone, he's going to accuse me of treating him like a child. If I tell him that not everything is about him and there is just shit that I have to do, he's going to use that to assert this asinine notion that he doesn't fucking matter to me and runoff to a harpy that is not prepared to keep him safe."
She took a breath from the rant.
"I am literally in an unwinnable scenario and I don't see a path out. Clearly, he won't trust me when I try to talk to him. He's under the notion that therapy will help, but I'm not," she admitted, "Putting us in front of a mundane therapist neuters my ability to speak with him openly and try to help him see my view on things. It won't help and I'll be damned if I'm going to sit there and be chastised because he gets to, unknowingly, weaponize a counselor against me because of the Lie."
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Post by Kai Rose on Mar 1, 2021 23:11:08 GMT -8
Kai's jaw dropped when she said she'd told Anthony the truth. She eventually closed it by the time Ivory apologized, but the shock was still flowing through her skin. She managed to hold back words, managed to hold back the 'what?!!!!!??!!!oneone' reaction that the moment of realizing the kid knew about the Lost, but it was right there in the colors to be seen. She let the rant flow over her. She took a second to think.
"Okay. He's still here, though -- and that kid is moneyed enough that he can be anywhere he wants to be. So. He's not done. He wants to be here."
Then, she downed her water and found the whiskey herself. Her voice was calm, patient, steady as she poured.
"You can't tell him shit about Rose Water, because he'll get killed by Spring if he gets curious. If he's not Oathbound to silence about your nature, you're going to get him there before he says a word to anyone and gets himself killed by Winter. But those are easy details. Just keep it quiet, and get him to promise. The hard part is realizing that it's not going to be about you with him. It never is with parents. He's a kid, you're not. You do what he needs, you don't make it about spilling supernatural shit to him, and it'll be fine. He's never going to understand them. He can't. Your own stuff, you're going to need a Lost to talk with."
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Mar 2, 2021 0:04:35 GMT -8
Ivory looked to the Polychromatic and nodded, her guilt was plane. She was throwing a stick at a beehive instead of smoking it. It felt good be on top for a second, but she had just made a bigger mess of things.
"You're right," Ivory admitted, her tone quiet, "I've really made a mess of things..."
All you had to do was be patient and listen. Why is that so fucking hard for you?
The self-deprecating thought burrowed deep, the regret palpable on her features as she stared back to the fire. Through it all though, with the threat to Anthony clear, the calculating look of Ivory began to works its ways into her features, exploring her options and approaches.
"I will endeavor to bind him to an oath," she affirmed, "As soon as possible... I can use the coming appointment as a foil to secure his promise. And nothing will be spoken of Rose Water. If it means our relationship collapses, at least I'll have the peace of mind that he's secure. The fault is mine either way, I'll... need to accept that should it come to pass. However, before it happens, my primary concerns as it relates to Anthony needs to be learning to navigate our life while not failing him in his. And I need him to at least understand that I cannot discuss much of my life with him."
Ivory pauses rubbing her temple.
"As for discussing my own issues? That's less simple, I trust few, as you know," Ivory mused, "Given the value of information in our world, I am less inclined to approach those of us within the medical community with the appropriate training. How can I trust that they won't use it?"
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Post by Kai Rose on Mar 6, 2021 15:50:51 GMT -8
As Ivory spoke about her situation, Kai's enhanced sense for emotions and her mental magic drew in what information was available about her emotional state and wellbeing.
"You don't need to be sneaky about it or anything. It shouldn't be too hard. He's not Lost. Just mundanely ask him if he can keep it between the two of you, for obvious reasons, and Seal it so you know if he breaks the secrecy and can work to track it down. You don't have to tell him about magical faerie oaths or whatever." She shrugged, taking a sip of the newly poured glass of whiskey.
"Just... around him, do normal, boring stuff. You're not boring, anything but, but for his sake and in front of him, do the dance. Go to counselling with him, and let him know you're going to go for yourself, too. If he wants to go, it means he finds it valuable, so engaging has meaning. Take up a healthy new hobby like what we talked about, charity work. It looks good, and it also will help you grow the connections you want. Demonstrate that you're stable, a boring ol' mum who is far less interesting than his exciting university life. You're not supposed to be exciting to him. The rest of us find you plenty exciting." She winked. "All you have to do is hear him out, take the steps he needs, and not be the one to make it about about Fae shit. He may want to know, eventually, or he may never. I bet things get better. I really do."
The stuff about her own issues could wait a second.
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Mar 7, 2021 12:53:51 GMT -8
As Kai does her work, it is apparent that Ivory is feeling a number of things regarding the situation. Most prominently she is distraught and ashamed for having frightened Anthony and exposing her true nature. She also feels an abundant amount of guilt, likely linked to the fact that she and Pendragon had hoped to keep their nature secret from them.
There is a nod as Kai speaks of how she can manage it all simply and without explanation. It seems apparent that the Pale Dragon hadn't considered such a simple resolution for the issue. With Kai's contract pushing past the Fairest's mental barriers, it becomes apparent as to why. There is a sense of paranoia that supersedes the Pale Dragon's usual caution. She is confused about whether she should consider the situation as an overt threat from which to withdraw or a problem that can be resolved.
It takes the Dragon a moment to gather her thoughts.
"I've been meaning to..." Ivory managed as the conversation turned to fostering new hobbies, "Perhaps it's time I speak to Nimbus. If nothing else it can give some hope that we can return to a semblance of what they were before."
Part of her didn't believe that was possible, but Kai had never been one to lie to Ivory. She had no reason to suspect such things from her now.
"He gave me an ultimatum of a sort as well," Ivory offered, "Him or Evelyn, but it's not that simple. Naturally, of course I will choose him, but I have promised Evelyn some assistance in her own goal. I may not have sealed them, but that doesn't mean the Wyrd has likewise refrained."
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Post by Kai Rose on Mar 7, 2021 18:17:19 GMT -8
Oh. That explained why Ivory was having such a rough time keeping it together. She'd had her brain scrambled by whatever conversation she had had with her son. Jesus. Was the kid her connection to Reality? That couldn't be the only thing. She needed to find more, things to keep her connected, otherwise with her enhanced connection to the Wyrd, she was going to have a hell of a time.
"Evelyn's in with Stheno, dude. The Wyrd doesn't seal Pledges without you pushing Glamour, and she can't Seal. She's a people. What'd you promise her?"
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Mar 9, 2021 16:38:28 GMT -8
Ivory took a sip of her whisky providing the Polychromatic a their first point.
"She is," Ivory said, her tone grumbling as a signal of her displeasure. Clearly, there was a piece of the Pale Dragon that disliked the Gorgon. Ivory was still holding on to a slight grudge, believing Stheno had sent her to speak with Buck in the expectation that she would fail, "but that is related to another problem."
There is a pause in Ivory as she considers what to share. She eventually relents, however, now was the time to trust. Kai would not judge her too harshly. Would she?
"Evelyn is married," she said, "Her other half is still with... Them."
Even here in the Hollow, Ivory would not dare utter the word of Gentry.
"She was hoping to seek a champion who might be able to brave the thorns... I agreed to help her find one. In hindsight, it was a stupid promise," she admitted, "How would they know where to go? I was just blinded and..."
The Pale Dragon's voice fell.
"Another promise I've failed to keep at any rate," she finally managed, "but then there is the issue with Noir. He had a price for his assistance, Kai. He wishes to know why Stheno was so interested in my husband and, thinking on it, I am too. What cause would she have to speak with a Congressman... and why did Penny entertain it? I have no means of speaking with the dead and I do not believe Pendragon would be restless enough to stick around. Even then, that wouldn't be here. Thus, Stheno is the answer. If I let go of Evelyn, Stheno might distance herself given their association. Evelyn at the very least provides the means that she might even be receptive to the idea of meeting with me. Hence, my conundrum. As much as it would pain me, I am willing to let Evelyn go, but... doing so now imparts substantial risk and places my oath with Noir in jeopardy."
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Post by Kai Rose on Mar 13, 2021 18:08:07 GMT -8
Kai just stared at Ivory as she explained the fact that she promised to... find someone who was willing to charge into Arcadia. The rest flowed over her, Noir's desired help, the intrigue relating to her dead beau, and worry about Stheno.
"Man, you know we can't just walk into Arcadia and grab people, right? That isn't a thing. What did you say, exactly?"
She shook her head, staring into her glass. She was pretty sure Ivory was fucked, if the Wyrd viewed it as an Oath. The cross-Oaths plus her son's needs were basically impossible. The words mattered. Maybe there was a loophole.
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Mar 13, 2021 21:54:19 GMT -8
Ivory said nothing for a moment, her expression defeated as she stared into the flame.
"Does it matter?" she offered, "In either case, I'm pretty screwed."
The dip from formality was marked with a more casual tone, her usual soft etiquette disappearing as she began to lament her choices. A sign of the Dragon before she had met her late husband.
"I said I would help her find a champion," she said, "She wants to tap Chugunkin to find someone suitable. I said I would help improve her station if I could."
There was a sigh.
"Taking one hand, I lose my anchor," she admitted, "And taking the other would make me an oathbreaker... And now I assume you're really regretting who you chose to share a Hollow with. It ain't to late to back out, you and I aren't bound at all. Honestly, that's probably the smarter position."
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Post by Kai Rose on Mar 13, 2021 22:09:37 GMT -8
"Yeah, it matters," Kai replied. The particulars of the objective -- finding someone suitable to dive into Arcadia?! -- was a thing. What she could do to help her improve her station, whatever, maybe there was something there. "You need to talk to a pledge lawyer. Or a Notary. The devil's always in the details with Oaths." Which is why she didn't swear too many. Planning mattered. "If there's a narrow path through this shit, they should be able to help you find it."
She raised an eyebrow at the last bit, but didn't engage it. Hopelessness was silly when there were plenty of options left.
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Mar 13, 2021 23:07:30 GMT -8
Ivory was listening, but said nothing, her countenance showing that her optimism of the situation was less than favorable.
The Pale Dragon was beginning to shut down, the chaos of her life beginning to grip her like a vice as she was no longer able to see a positive solution. Regardless of what those outside might be able to observe, Ivory was unable to consider the options. Locked as it was in her burgeoning depression, the Pale Dragon saw no way out, not without a price in either case that Ivory had no desire to pay.
Thus, she stagnated, seated in her chair with her whisky as her golden eyes rested on the flames of the hearth, dimmed as they were by the struggle within.
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