Plurk paste

26th day of Yula 12423 / 10th of Bolfihr 386 / 205 Days

“So, you're the Moren girl,” a voice said softly. Telyn's eyes flew open. She was startled to find herself looking into the amber eyes of another woman. “Who are you?” she demanded, quickly sitting up in bed and pressing herself against the wall, her blanket clutched to her chest. The woman smiled, her dark red lips parting around perfect white teeth. “My my, you are an interesting creature,” the woman said, ignoring Telyn's question. Her eyes trailed across Telyn's features, making her face heat up in an angry blush. “I asked who you were,” she said, trying to sound angry even though her body was thrumming with fear, “How did you get in here?” The woman stepped closer, the leather of her uniform creaking slightly. “It's a shame, what they do with your kind,” the woman mused, still ignoring Telyn, “If it was up to me we'd... study you.” Her eyes trailed up Telyn's body. Telyn flushed, baring her sharp teeth.

Another voice chuckled from outside her cell, “Stop teasing her Ljubica.” Telyn whipped her head around to find a man, not much older than Sira, leaning against the bars. “I apologise for my... friend's behaviour,” he said, voice even oilier than that of the Anax. “Who are you?” Telyn snapped, cheeks red, “What are you doing in here?” The man made a soft noise of distress, “Didn't the Anax tell you he'd be sending us to... check up on you?” he asked. Telyn clenched her jaw at the mention of Imrus, “Must have slipped his mind,” she said, voice dripping with sarcasm. “Now, now,” the man clucked his tongue, “You mustn't let us hear you talking like that about our beloved leader.” Telyn flinched as she felt the woman, Ljubica, lean in closer to her. “Unless of course,” Ljubica said, voice practically purring, “You want us to have to punish you.” Telyn thought if she clenched her jaw further her teeth might snap. “Just tell me who you are and then get out,” she said, “...Please,” she added, thinking better of it.

“I'm hurt,” said the man, holding a hand over his heart, “Don't you recognise me?” Telyn turned to look at him, puzzled. “Don't take it personally Melchior,” Ljubica said, slinking over to him, “The last time she saw you, you were wearing a mask.” Telyn frowned for another moment before it dawned on her, “You!” she leapt out of bed, blanket fluttering to the floor. She strode towards the two of them, “You're the one who brought me here,” she said. Raising a hand she went to strike Ljubica, but at the last second the woman disappeared. Telyn gasped, overbalancing into the bars. Melchior clucked his tongue again, helping her up. Telyn brushed his hands off angrily. Out of the darkness Ljubica emerged, not even a hair out of place. “What? How?” Telyn asked, startled. Ljubica just smiled mysteriously. Telyn shook her head, recovering her train of thought. “If I ever get my hands on you,” she snarled, knuckles white around the bars. She glared between the two of them. “Don't take it personally my dear,” Melchior said, “I was just doing my job.”

“How am I not supposed to take it personally when your job is to hunt down people like me?” Telyn asked, glaring daggers at him. “Hmm, good point,” he said, smirking at her. Telyn grit her teeth before turning away, stalking back to her bed. “Go away,” she snapped at them, throwing herself down on to the mattress and curling up to face the wall. “I'm surprised,” Melchior said, “I would have thought after weeks in here alone you'd want the company.” Telyn ignored him. “No? Ah, well, that is a shame,” Melchior said. Telyn heard him take a few steps away before he paused. “Just remember my dear. If you use any of those little... powers of yours to escape from here, we will find you,” he said, all traces of charm gone. Telyn forced herself to stay still, not giving him the satisfaction of a reaction. “... Until next time,” Ljubica said, sounding as if she was right over Telyn's shoulder. But when she turned to look the dungeon was empty once more.

Videl 12423 / 25th of Bolfihr 386 / 190 Days

A box scraped along the floor underneath her cell door and Telyn startled awake. She sat up, head spinning from the sudden motion, and looked straight into the amber eyes of Ljubica. “I didn't mean to wake you,” the woman said, though her tone gave Telyn the impression that she meant the exact opposite. Last time she had had her straight black hair tied into a severe ponytail and wore the black leather armour of a Dragon Hunter. But today her hair was free, flowing along her shoulders in dark waves and highlighting her pale, flawless skin. She wore a layered kimono of a deep blood red. “What do you want?” Telyn asked, voice rough from sleep. She tugged the soft Capra wool blanket closer to her. Ljubica inclined her head towards the box at her feet, eyes never leaving Telyn's. “It's my understanding that today is Videl,” Ljubica said, “So I brought you a gift.” Telyn blinked, confused. “And you decided that the middle of the night was the perfect time to deliver it?” she asked, quirking an eyebrow at her. Ljubica ignored her, “Forgive me if the details are wrong. It was more difficult than anticipated to find fresh mochi,” she said. Telyn gaped, eyes wide, “You- Why?” she asked. Ljubica just smiled, turning to leave. “Enjoy,” she said over her shoulder, melting into the darkness.

Telyn stared at the space where she'd been for a long moment before standing and quietly walking over to the box. It was made of lacquered maple wood with a green dragon carved into the surface. Telyn traced the carving with wide eyes, amazed at the level of detail. She removed the lid with trembling fingers, preparing herself for the trap or trick she was certain the box contained. Instead she found three perfect, dome shaped mochi. Telyn stared at them for a long moment before reaching out to pick one up. The rice cake was soft and firm in her hand, tinted a delicate green. She brought it to her mouth before deciding better of it and putting it back.

Lemel 12423 / 26th of Bolfihr 386 / 189 Days

“They weren't poisoned you know,” Ljubica's voice rang out, startling Telyn awake for the second night in a row. She heard a box scrape along the floor again. “Why are you doing this?” Telyn asked, rolling over to look at the other woman. Today her hair was tied back in an elaborate bun; her kimono a deep, indigo blue. “It was my understanding that the end of a year is important to your people,” Ljubica said, studying her with appraising eyes. “And seeing as this year shall be your last...” she said, voice softer. Telyn felt her jaw clench, “Yes, well, I certainly don't intend for it to be, so you might as well not bother,” she replied, angry. Ljubica just raised an eyebrow at her calmly. Telyn rolled back over, facing the wall. She heard the other woman's heels clicking against the stone floor for a moment before they stopped. “Enjoy,” Ljubica said.

Telyn stared resolutely at the wall for at least an hour before rolling out of bed and stumbling over to the box. It sat next to the first, its white lacquered surface making the violet dragon stand out in even more vivid detail. Telyn opened the lid to find four mochi, tinted a soft purple. She picked one up, glancing around the cell quickly before sinking her teeth into it. The taro flavour was pronounced but not overwhelming, just the way Telyn preferred it. It reminded her of Sira, of sitting in his shop during the holiday season, helping him line up trays of perfectly formed mochi in every colour of the rainbow. Without being entirely aware of what she was doing, Telyn polished off all four of the rice cakes. Tears trickled down her face as she opened the box from yesterday. Although they weren't as fresh as the ones she just had, the delicate green tea flavour of the mochi made her chest ache with longing. Once they were all gone she rubbed her fingers on the edge of her dress and crawled back into bed.

Lhain-El 12423 / 27th of Bolfihr 386 / 188 Days

Telyn was still awake when Ljubica arrived on the third night. “Waiting up for me?” Ljubica asked. Telyn had her eyes closed, sitting cross legged and meditating, but she could hear the smirk in the other woman's voice. “Hardly,” Telyn said, keeping her eyes firmly shut. “Well, this is the last one I'm afraid. Unless I've missed some tradition about giving gifts on the first day of the new year?” Ljubica asked. “You haven't,” Telyn replied, otherwise unmoving from her position. She heard the swish of Ljubica's robes, then the scraping of a box against the floor. “Was I correct?” Ljubica asked. “About the details?” Telyn said, “Yes, I was surprised.” She could feel the other woman's smile crawling on her skin. “I'm glad,” Ljubica said. Telyn heard her turn and walk away. She waited a few seconds before opening her eyes.

And was startled to find herself staring into amber ones. Ljubica's hairstyle was complex and intricate, held together with a silver circlet. Rubies and diamonds sparkled against the black of her hair. Her cheeks were painted with a pair of crescent moons, facing away from each other, one slightly smaller than the other. Her kimono had nine layers, the topmost being white. Telyn sucked in a surprised breath. Ljubica tilted her head coyly, looking at Telyn through her lashes with her perpetual smirk. “You didn't think I'd leave without telling you to enjoy my gift, did you?” she asked, voice practically a purr. Telyn just stared, unsure of what to do. Ljubica's smirk widened into a smile and she leaned forward so that their lips were mere centimetres away. “Happy New Year Telyn,” she whispered, before disappearing.

Telyn let out a breath she didn't realise she'd been holding. For a moment she just sat, trying to process what had just happened. Then she turned to the third box, sitting by the door. It was black lacquered wood with a carved white dragon and Telyn wondered again how Ljubica had known all the details perfectly. Opening it with trembling fingers she found five perfect white mochi. Lifting the one in the centre to her mouth she inhaled the gentle fragrance of jasmine. However as she took a bite her mouth closed on something metallic. “Ow! Tal!” Telyn swore, dropping the rice cake and lifting a hand to her teeth. Once she was sure nothing had been broken she looked down at the mochi she'd dropped. There was some sort of bronze piece, barely visible, inside the dessert. Pushing past the gooey glutinous rice of the cake Telyn unearthed a wedge shaped piece that looked strangely familiar. Picking up another of the mochi she pushed through to the inside and pulled out a thin cylinder of bronze metal. The third she chose was empty, but the fourth had a bronze ring. She held the three pieces in the palm of her hand, gaping with disbelief. Quickly slotting the cylinder into the edge of the ring, then the wedge piece onto the cylinder, she confirmed her suspicions. It was a key.

-

3rd of Holi 12424 / 3rd of Holinki 387 / 185 Days

Mir Eldros Holi, 59th day since my capture, 3rd day since I escaped

I made it to Industria last night.

I don't know how I even managed to make it this far, if I'm being honest. The past few days have been a blur of running and hiding and I've gotten so little sleep I'm amazed I can even function.

I stole a new Keleken when I got here, I don't know if it'll make a difference but there wasn't any harm in it. Unless you count being pecked on the cheek. Damn those things have sharp beaks.

I'm still trying to understand why she did it. There's no way she did it for my benefit, but then why?

13th of Holi 12424 / 13th of Holinki 387 / 175 Days

Sed Eldros Holi, 69th day since my capture, 13rd day since I escaped

Well I never imagined I'd be spending my Nineteenth birthday hiding in the loft of someone's barn on the outskirts of Clementia. I was heading towards Caritas but had to double back when I stumbled upon a whole regiment of troops blockading the East Road. Singing four dozen men to sleep isn't the easiest of tasks, let me tell you that. I don't think they were expecting me to go back the way I'd been as I haven't seen them since. The false trail I left for them probably helped.

21st of Holi 12424 / 21st of Holinki 387 / 167 Days

Tal Elis Holi, 77th day since my capture, 21st day since I escaped

I made it to Humanitas in record time, even though I had to leave my Keleken a few days ago. Under normal circumstances I'd probably feel rather guilty about all the stealing I've had to do, but it's an unfortunate necessity when you're a fugitive. Trespassing being another.

“-you'd want to know that your brother has been officially declared dead,” a voice echoed down the corridor, making Telyn jump. She quickly snuffed out the candle she'd been using, pressing herself as far back into the closet as she could. Maybe hiding out in the Lord's estate hadn't been the best of plans, but it was too late for her to move now. “Half-brother,” another voice said, full of contempt, “And why would you think I'd care?” Telyn could hear their footsteps now, muffled by the velvety rug that ran the length of the corridor. “I simply thought it prudent to let you know my Lord,” the first voice said, almost in front of the closet door. “Yes, well now I know,” the second voice snapped, “At least now that he's been declared dead I can stop hearing rumours about how he's off gallivanting about with traitors and Moren.” Telyn let out a surprised gasp, quickly clamping her hand to her mouth.

The footsteps paused in front of the door and Telyn's heart began to race. “It was probably just the wind,” the first voice said, moving away slightly. Telyn swallowed heavily. “Yes I suppose you're right,” the second voice finally agreed after a long moment. Telyn held a hand over her mouth, barely daring to breathe until the footsteps had receded down the corridor. Was it true? Was Sira still alive somewhere, gallivanting around with the Lord's half-brother? What if he wasn't coming to rescue her at all? What if he didn't care? Telyn clenched her fists, forcibly pushing those thoughts from her mind. Sira loved her and was alive and no doubt coming to find her even as she stood here doubting him. Focusing on that thought she carefully made her way out of the estate and past the twin Talsen that guarded the entrance. She quietly made her way down the street when a hand emerged from the darkness. Telyn stepped aside, surprised, but let out the breath she'd been holding when she made out the tattered rags and grimy limbs of a beggar.

“I'm sorry,” she said softly, “I don't have any money.” She moved to step past the beggar when a hand locked around her wrist. “Money's not what I'm looking for,” Ljubica whispered in her ear. Telyn let out a startled shriek and tugged her wrist free, sprinting down the street. She heard the other woman's footsteps, racing after her. Ducking and weaving through alleyways and along main roads, she tried everything she could to escape her pursuer. But every time she glanced over her shoulder there was Ljubica, a placid smile on her face, almost at her heels. Desperate, Telyn threw off her cloak and leaped into the air, her wings flashing out to flap frantically as she reached for the railing of a balcony. A hand latched on to her tail, pulling swiftly and bringing her crashing to the ground. Telyn struggled to get to her feet but a sharp blow to her head had her reeling. When her vision cleared she found herself looking up into amber eyes, and for the first time she noticed tiny flecks of red and purple within them. Like a sunset, she thought hazily, temple throbbing.

When she felt hands tugging at her own she began to struggle feebly. “Stop that, unless you want me to do something I'll regret,” Ljubica said, eyes flashing dangerously. Telyn clenched her jaw, letting herself go limb. A tear tracked its way down her cheek. “Why?” she asked, voice slurred. “Because it was fun,” Ljubica replied, watching Telyn sink down into darkness.