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Post by Kai Rose on Mar 13, 2021 23:13:15 GMT -8
Staring into the void?
That wasn't how this was going to go down.
Kai sat down next to Ivory, swirled her glass a little bit, and offered the Dragon a hug.
"Let it out, hun. You're going to be all right. For real."
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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 14, 2021 13:03:52 GMT -8
At the approach, Ivory's free hand had reflexively gripped the leather of the armrest, eyes flicking up as a million scenarios pushed through her head. Kai was a Summer and the pair had just discussed a potential breach. Sure, that was often Winter's thing, but still...
Instead, the Polychromatic sat down and offered a hug, her words ringing in the Pale Dragon's ears.
"I'm..." she managed. She had hoped to assure she was fine, but the reality seemed clear that Kai knew otherwise. Ivory was, once again, vulnerable. Ivory composure quickly began to crumble as eyes watered and a broken expression crossed her face.
Ivory could not deny the offer of friendship and comfort, inside it was what she wanted. So, with her form trembling, Ivory leaned in and hugged tightly, her head buried in Kai's shoulder.
The sounds of her anguish were heard as she finally broke the wall down and wept.
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Post by Kai Rose on Mar 16, 2021 18:51:08 GMT -8
And there they sat, Ivory weeping and Kai simply holding her. Of course she wasn't okay. There was no fucking way anyone in her situation would be. A fucked up mix of Pledges, a fading relationship with her son in desperate need of fixing, a need to establish entirely new boundaries with her girlfriend -- and ultimately, a need to remember to just be a person about things. It would be so much easier if people just accepted them for who they were, but that wasn't meant to be. Hating that truth was far easier than wishing it were different. Desire was a real motherfucker sometimes, driving people to the edge of oblivion chasing a dream that was never going to come true.
You couldn't fix the level of broken that Ivory had going on beneath her regal exterior. Only her and her therapist could. And so she sat, a hand rubbing Ivory's back as she just breathed, giving the Hunterheart someone to let it out with. Sometimes, the best thing you could say was nothing at all.
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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 17, 2021 14:54:32 GMT -8
Ivory remained in the position she was in for some time, though, after some minutes, the weeping cries began to soften, eventually fading away entirely to leave behind only anxious breaths. In time, these too began to normalize and the grip of Pale Dragon finally loosened and released the Polychromatic.
"Thank you," Ivory offered, her tone quiet, but grateful as she regarded Kai fully in her golden gaze. Settling back into her chair, the gilded eyes flicking back to the flames. Quiet reigned for many moments before Ivory's lips parted once again. "I'll figure it out," she assured, "I have to. I'm not going to lose him too. There isn't a single oath that outweighs that and, if the Wyrd seeks to punish me should it come to that, I will adapt. Evelyn can have her vipers, but... I need to at least try to learn the information Noir wants."
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Post by Kai Rose on Mar 18, 2021 15:36:29 GMT -8
As the minutes ended and the sobs faded and the Hunterheart let go and sat back, Kai replied to her thanks with a smile and an understanding nod. Once she spoke again, Kai replied, "You'll figure it out. I'd start with a pledge expert from fall to assess if there's a way you can meet your obligation without having to send someone to die. As for what Noir wants... maybe your friends can help. There's more than one way to get information, and you don't have to do it all. It might take time, and you've got obligations to Anthony."
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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 18, 2021 16:38:01 GMT -8
The idea of bringing more of her shit to the foreground when dealing with people was not an attractive option to the dragon, but Kai was right. It was time to if she wanted to be rid of the problem.
"Alright, I will," she said. Her expression showed she clearly wasn't in love with the idea, but it is what it is.
The second statement prompted a more perplexed reaction from Ivory, however.
"Friends?" she asked, her gaze drifting back to the Polychromatic. What sort of people did Kai think she knew? "I have very few. None that I know of have a desire to delve deeply into the underground so requesting their assistance in gaining that knowledge is iffy at best. The most surefire way to gain the information is from the lips of Stheno herself, or perhaps Chugunkin... but even then there is another obstacle."
Ivory mulled over her words.
"Stheno isn't stupid," Ivory said, "Even if another asks her or Chugunkin in my stead, the reality is the information is fairly niche. She will suspect my involvement. If the information proves to be particularly damning and she decides to treat me less like a child and more like a rival? I... don't exactly have the support to ensure my safety from her predations. Or Anthony's safety for that matter."
Another pause hit as Ivory looked back to the flame, the calculating, stoic look that had sometimes been commonplace coming back to her features. She wasn't giving up, merely relaying the difficulties she forsaw and, if her gaze meant anything, she was considering her options.
"Perhaps it's time I made friends on the side of the fence I had been hoping to avoid," she mused, "In which case, the obvious candidate that could potentially offer me some protection in that arena seems to be Chugunkin. As you said, a few favors now and then can keep me out of it if I stay in good with the Knight of Coins and he's... reasonable enough. Once I've proved useful, he may be willing to part with what he knows. He will understand my desire to know the reasoning behind Stheno's interest in Pendragon. Piper and Eurydice may be worth considering as well, but given the former's... reaction to my activities, I doubt she will see me to be of any great importance going forward. And the Sage Escort's desire for neutrality would make pinning her assets to assist me should Stheno lash out unlikely."
Another sip as Ivory settled further into her musing.
"Alternatively, I deal with Stheno, either directly or indirectly through an agent willing to find the information out in exchange for service," Ivory continued, "In which case, some friendships in Stheno's sphere would still do me some good. I have no desire to be a part of it, as you know. However, should the day come that she does seek to move against me, I'd prefer it to be abundantly clear that my assets, family, and I are off limits. That will make retaliation and, thus, my survivability more attainable, I think."
Ivory understood how she was coming off. To many it would sound like she was planning a war. It was a brief glimpse into her functioning paranoia, but she had her reasons. Stheno was unpredictable and violent, Kai had told Ivory as much. The Pale Dragon further doubted the interest in Pendragon was innocuous, given her late-husband's position of power and Stheno's forays into the criminal theatre. It was not enough for Ivory to survive if Stheno chose to make her an enemy. She wanted to win.
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Post by Kai Rose on Mar 18, 2021 16:57:50 GMT -8
"Or you ask Evelyn why she used you as a means of getting closer to Pendragon."
The answer was short and to the point. It didn't need to be that complicated or dangerous. The woman was an Avowed. Ivory was a Lost.
And Kai was Solomon's vassal.
The math worked itself out pretty quick.
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
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Post by Ivory on Mar 18, 2021 18:34:33 GMT -8
The simple statement easily prompts a stunned expression from the Pale Dragon, though it slowly cycles to sadness and, eventually, acceptance.
Kai was right. The Polychromatic had been trying to tell her as much the last several times they had spoken.
"Or that," Ivory managed, her voice cracking, "I had hoped it wasn't true, but... I won't deny it's the best explanation of why she left when he died. It was just... I felt so certain it was genuine. It felt nice to be desired."
Without Evelyn, who else did she have?
Then there was a revelation.
"I'm afraid of having to start again, Kai," she admitted, "I don't know if I can anymore."
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Post by Kai Rose on Mar 18, 2021 19:05:08 GMT -8
"Might be," Kai replied, "You're pretty great. But she owes you some answers. You need to convince her to give up the truth, and I can help without ever being seen." She tapped the side of her head. "I can adjust her emotions, make her hate Stheno for a bit. A temporary thing, but it will be a key window. As well, if something is going horribly wrong, I can tap you on the shoulder. Let you know to pause, think and take a different tack, because I rewound time due to it not going well. Best to do it somewhere private. Like a nice drive, maybe."
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
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Post by Ivory on Mar 18, 2021 21:29:37 GMT -8
Ivory nodded slow, her fears unaddressed. "Thank you, I-" she began, before pausing, some deep revelation coming to her features as she sat in silence. In time, Ivory's gaze turned back, searching the Polychromatic's face for a long moment. "You want to know too," she said, "Why?"The paranoia revealed itself again. Kai was an operative of a Summer Knight, was involved in an investigation that led to the deaths of two Spring Courtiers, and seemed very informed about the nature of Evelyn's connection with Stheno. Was Kai using her to get to Evelyn? Ivory didn't want to believe it, but it would make sense. Stray — Today at 11:27 PM Determine Kai's intent Wits+Empathy @dicecord-CoD roll 4 Dicecord-CoD BOT — Today at 11:27 PM stray rolled 4 dice and got 4 successes. 10(3) 5 10(8) 9
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Post by The Wyrd on Mar 19, 2021 10:19:07 GMT -8
Kai's reaction to that inquiry revealed shock, anger and embarrassment. She was not a happy camper where Stheno was concerned. There was a general interest in Stheno's business, this Ivory knew, but Pendragon was dead. Pendragon probably served no specific use to Kai. Kai's interest in helping Ivory was genuine, but she was now offended at the implication. Whether or not she'd report up the chain what she found was probably related to what was learned from Evelyn.
"Wow. I'm sure you can read it on my skin, like everyone else."
Blink.
"You've helped me. I wanted to help you in return. I'm not rich. I don't have connections. But I am good at this."
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
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Post by Ivory on Mar 19, 2021 18:06:01 GMT -8
Some guilt arose on Ivory's face as she read the Polychromatic's intent, her head nodding as Kai spoke to show that she was receptive.
"And I am humbled by your wish to assist, truly," she offered, her tone quiet, "Please forgive me if I seem standoffish. These recent revelations have put me on edge... and I am having trouble placing my feet back down on the ground."
The gaze turned hopeful.
"You mean it though? You'll come with me?" Ivory asked, "Having you there while I try to find answers would be most welcome, even if I can't see you."
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Post by Kai Rose on Mar 20, 2021 16:49:08 GMT -8
Kai nodded, her colors fading as the insult passed and Ivory chilled out. "It's a lot, I know. And the key thing is that you can start again. Here's the thing. You have Anthony. You honor him in this way and you take the steps, and you will continue to have him. You've got me. You've got your money, your Court, and a future where your Court literally encourages you to become whatever you want." She tapped a fingernail on the glass of whiskey. "Y'all invented the idea of starting a new life. You've got this."
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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 20, 2021 20:09:13 GMT -8
Ivory breathed out, nodding as Kai lightly hyped her up with a few reminders of the boons in her life, prompting a slight smile as she felt the care Kai was providing. It was nice.
"You know, when you put it like that, I'm starting to like my odds," she teased, hoping to inject a little levity as her expression turned slightly impish. "I got this," she said, repeating the Polychromatic's point. In time, she knew she would believe it too.
"Thanks, Kai," she offered, "Really."
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Post by Kai Rose on Mar 21, 2021 11:35:10 GMT -8
Kai flashed a thumbs up. "You got this," she echoed. "And Ivory? I won't adjust her feelings unless I think it's necessary. I think you'll be able to convince her to tell you the truth. Just let me know when you need me in place."
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