⌘ Common ⌘ Rakahi ⌘ Euthic Sign ⌘ Grovokian ⌘
45th of Vhalar, 717
“Aren’t you afraid he’s using you?”“Hmm?” Navyri looked over her shoulder at the woman, appearing only mildly interested in the conversation,, “Who?”
“Delroth, of course,” she held out a hand, motioning towards the Naer, “You’re… You’re his pet.”
Navyri, who had been skimming a book on poison crafting, looked up with furrowed brows, “His pet? I don’t think so.”
“Why not?” Daphine didn’t seem convinced, shaking her head with a scoff, “Do you think Delroth claims whoever he wants?”
The shadow woman laughed, “I imagine that’s how most immortals do it, yes.” Her blue eyes began to skim a particularly interesting passage in the book pertaining to death caps. Its potency was interesting and her finger began running down the page. ’Within 6 to 12 hours after consumption, the victim can experience violent abdominal pain, vomiting, rapid loss of fluid…’ Navyri’s brows rose in fascination, This condition leads to coma and death in more than 50 percent of the incidents. “Why does it bother you so? I thought you grew up in Viden?”
“Yes, but my father was Etzorian. I may not hate the immortals, but I’m at least weary of them. You… You seem perfectly content to just let them use you.”
“Some of us thrive in the chaos,” Navyri glanced upward, sighing deeply at Daphine’s pitiful expression, and licked her finger to turn the page, “You really shouldn’t worry so much.” Lounging in a plush chair, her legs thrown over one leg, Navyri looked quite content indeed, “I consider it more.... A business partnership. Delroth helped me, so I help him. Simple economics.”
Daphine pushed her own book away, “You don’t really believe that, do you?” The idea that Delroth was a fair businessman was insane! “He’s the immortal of greed! Money is the root of all evil, Navyri.”
“I like money.” Still, Navyri did not look up. “Did you know there was a rare mushroom called Podo….stroma Cornue Damae?” Her mouth moved silently as she tried to pronounce it again in her head. ’Red fruiting bodies contain potent toxins that can cause multiple organ failure in those unlucky enough to consume them. Symptoms of poisoning include…
Daphine was no stranger to Navyri’s interest in shiny things, nor of her occupation. In fact, Daphine had played the role of fence once or twice, but it seemed their friendship was wavering over the years. Since she had a kid, the woman had become increasingly weary of the whole arrangement. Even now, Navyri could see the grey starting to form in her old partner’s hair, while she herself remained unchanged. As she would for years to come, until the day she eventually died.
“So, Delroth is what?” Daphine leaned forward where she sat, elbows propping her up, “Your lover? Sugar daddy? A schoolyard crush from when you were fifteen?”
This caught the Naer’s attention who looked up from her book with a dangerous expression, “Be careful of your next words, Daphine.” She continued to watch the woman before slowly lowering her eyes to the words on the page, surprised by the slight fear in her chest, ’If Delroth hears, he’ll feed you to his flock.’ While no birds resided in the library, Navyri had an eternal paranoia he was watching. His eyes - always so blue and piercing - were as scrutinizing as any hawk. She half believed they saw everything, and perhaps she wouldn’t have been wrong. When she had met with Marrow and the Prince in the shadows of Etzos, how did he know? How did he open the wind as easily as opening a curtain, surprising the audience and taking her in his arms? Delroth knew where she was, perhaps what she was doing. At all times? At any? She chewed her bottom lip, and tried to push the thoughts from her mind. Daphine did not know; she had not seen what she had.
The auburn haired woman frowned, unappreciative to the Naer’s tone and the silence that followed, “Then tell me! I’m trying to understand how you remain so faithful to him! You don’t even speak of your mother goddess with such revere-”
Navyri’s book hurled through the air and Daphine raised her arms and jumped to the side, its hard cover smacking loudly against the wall and clattering to the ground. The Naer was on her feet, bright eyes fuming as she stormed towards the table like a violent whirlwind, “Tell your father, and the rest of this wretched city-” her voice was low, hissed through clenched teeth as she tried to hold herself back. The feathers of her wings had bristled and she suddenly appeared much bigger than she had before, “That everything in this world has a place. Those that are powerful, and those that are not. I have settled in, I have made my choices, and I have been rewarded. I am stronger and smarter than this entire pathetic lot,” Navyri’s hands gripped the table, her sharp nails digging into the soft wood to make long, thin scratches, “Do not speak to me as if we are on the same level, or I’ll rip your tongue out.”
It was clear the other woman was startled. She knew of Navyri’s misgivings, but the woman had never directed her anger, or her violence towards her. Daphine swallowed and nodded shakily, her voice a bit meek when she spoke next, “Yes…” When the Naer cocked her head, so… predatory in its motion, it did not matter Daphine’s age. She was a child once more, “Yes, ma’am.”
It took some time to calm the other woman down, Navyri watching her like a mouse in a field; undecided if she should strike or not. Finally, after a long moment of silence, the Naer relaxed her wings and gave a long, disappointed sigh. Bending at the waist, she retrieved the novel and started to head back to her chair, attention flickering to a small bit of movement to her right. Behind a stack of books some feet away, a man peeked at the duo, quickly ducking his head and scurrying off after catching Navyri’s piercing gaze. ’Lovely’ the Naer thought, straightening quickly and falling back into her chair. ’Just what I need.
A long silence followed Navyri's threat which should have allowed her to fall back into reading with ease, but she felt discontent with the idea of being overheard. Would the man seek out the Black Guard and report her? Ugh. Such distress for simply mentioning immortals, but she knew her fear was rooted deeper. Since practicing her sewing…. Well, Navyri wasn't feeling particularly safe.
“Will you always…” Daphine’s voice was gentle, testing the waters, “Will you always follow him?”
The Naer took a deep breath, exhaling through her mouth. Daphine's knew of her origin story, but it was not easy to talk about current events. This time, it was Navyri's voice that was soft, “I doubt it.”
Daphine stared at her, the light from the lantern casting shadows on her tired face. She did not ask, because she did not need to. Navyri knew what she wanted to say, 'Why not?’
“Delroth…” What did she know if him? Just stories and brief encounters. Everything was fleeting and changing, like the wind itself, “Has many interests. If I can keep his approval, our arrangement will continue, and if not…” Navyri weighed the book in her hand, no longer interested, “I don't know.”
Daphine opened her mouth but shut it again, “His interest? What will he do?”
“Kill me?” Navyri looked over and smiled, the curvature of his lips reserved. Somehow death seemed a fitting solution for other immortals but the Naerikk felt he would be more creative. He had bent and contorted her colleague’s entire body into a shape that pleased him. Now that she had these wings, could he break her too? “Make me fall for eternity… keep me in a cage… leave me for dead…” All unfortunate ideas and yet they didn't feel colorful enough, the Naer unsure if she should fear the man or continue to admire him. What power he had! And the others were just like him, capable of great and terrible things. Even…. Even Belaera, after being locked away for so long in that terrible place had arisen renewed. She had bled her strength into the Naer, and even now, Navyri could remember its addictive taste. Her expression looked far away, into that living nightmare, voice now distant. “Hmm, will you mourn me?”
“I don't think I'll still be living, but…” Daphine pondered it, analyzing Navyri’s detached response, “Probably not.”
The honesty caught Navyri off guard and she laughed loudly and without reproach, “If I had a drink, I would toast to your longevity,” She raised the book, eyes twinkling, “May you live long and detest my decisions.”
Daphine smiled and lifted her own book in mock cheer, the tension between them gone as fast as it came, “May you learn from your mistakes before you can't be taught.”
