• Mature • (White Forest) What is a Man?

[Sybil Malach]

V

35th of Vhalar 719

Escalation.

It was a one way conversation that chilled Abbot to the bone. Sybil looked aside, as Wald got into a fight with the specter of his imagination. Their gaze went soft, as they glanced to their bodyguard. For a split moment, the two shared a glance. Abbot wanted to leave. Sybil wanted to stay. The moment was as though they were two wild dogs fighting over dominance when it came to the situation. Sybil remained unphased as Wald went through his ordeal, almost putting it to Abbot that he himself was overreacting, if he responded harshly to this. And in a submissive gesture, the large man clicked his tongue and looked away.

"Mm... Well, you can tell Rasul that I tret Zemos very well." They say easily enough, eyes turning to the mound of meat. For now, they'll play into it. If Wald starts freaking out, then they'll learn nothing, "He started off as skin and bones, and now lives a happy life, doing honest work. I even let him spend money as he pleases, so long as it's his own."

Wald was a runaway slave, then. A sigh crossed their lips, as they furrowed their brow. They remembered when they were in a similar situation, though they were left for dead rather than actually taken, branded, and sold. And this... Rasul, child. It was probably someone he met along the way, with how he spoke so clearly of them. Sybil's brows relaxed, as they slowly wrapped their arms around Wald's shoulder, giving him a hug, as they take a slow breath, "... We'll get you fed, then we'll get the mark off of you."

The smell of Carrion was making Sybil's eyes water.

[Wald Lowca]

Wald listened to the student's story about their slave. It was true, even Wald got onto the student for having bought one. The thought of a living thing owning another turned the hunter's stomach, but Zemos seemed unable to function, let alone make their own decisions on things. Despite how sick it would make Wald feel, he accepted that about Sybil. He even knew that the slave was likely saved from being used in necro experiments. Though that operation was over, that was taken care off not to long ago.

Wald gave a slow nod, and looked to where Rasul was in his head. "Yes, I told him such things. Yet the still can not get it out of their heart it would seem." This was an odd reflection on Wald's opinion on the matter, it was a mark in his feelings. Using the proxy of the madness educed image was an easy way to let it out

Wald felt the embrace of Sybil, as he got confused by the act. Hand slipping from the metal gauntlets, there fall would sound with a slight thud. As a shaky pair of hands tried to give back the gesture. Though Wald's eyes would give a slight amount of confusion. "Fed? I am fine now am I not?" Wald did not understand what the student had said that for. He did not see what happened properly, in his mind he had been eating fine. His head would tilt as he saw the student's eyes water. "Are you alright Sybil?" Wald spoke to the student, his protective instinct still in gear even in this state.

[Sybil Malach]

VI

35th of Vhalar 719

Sybil watched Wald, as the drug started to take effect. It was a decently high dose. Nothing too high as to make him go into a worrying fit of passing out immediately or frothing at the mouth, but high enough to take out a man his size. Though, factoring in the sort of lifestyle he partook in... The dose was modified a little. Their brows furrowed, as they let out a soft sigh. There was... Too much going on at once. They were feeling a headache come on.

So their emotions slipped.

It seemed like it was one thing after the other. Even as they fixed some things, others would break. There would have to be more that's done to help him. Increasingly drastic actions until eventually one stuck. And what they were about to do to Wald... They took a slow, steady breath. Wald asked them if they were okay. He asked them if they were alright, when he himself was in a state that was on the transient border of starvation. Wald was slipping.

A crack in the mask of wellness.

A slow shake of the head is given, as Wald asks his question. No, Sybil was not okay. Though they remained silent, they held him, letting the tears silently fall from their face. They made sure to not face Abbot, to not show weakness in front of subordinates, but it was impossible to suppress these emotions beyond what they were already doing. They would betray Wald's trust, just for the time being. But he'd understand when he was better.

Slowly, Sybil's eyes glanced up to the pile of meat that Wald was just done yelling at. They didn't mind he was projecting. He could hold onto his thoughts all he wanted when it came to slavery. But... They knew something had to be done about whatever it was that he faced. And it wasn't going to be pretty.

So they remained silent.

[Pig Boy]

Wald

Experience: 15

Knowledge:

Resistance: taking sedative
Resistance: putrid smell of rotting food
Endurance: Near starvation state
Endurance: Scratches down the arms
Strength: Holding up heavy gauntlets
Strength: Tackling down a man
Unarmed (wolven Wrestling): Tackling down a man
Stealth: sneaking up on the back of the group
Hunting (Manhunter): Go for the back of the group
Discipline: using a muse for your thoughts
Meditation: Using a muse for your feelings

Renown: 5 for acting like a dangerous lunatic

Skill Usage: Appropriate to level

Loot/Losses: none

Injuries/Conditions: Medical side effects? Not sure exactly what Sybil gave Wald...

Consequences: none

Sybil

Experience: 15

Knowledge:

(Chemistry x 4)
Chemistry: Sedatives need to be dosed according to mass
Chemistry: Painkillers can dull reactions, but are often dangerous for sedation
Chemistry: It's best to use the minimum possible quantity for sedatives
Chemistry: Medicine form: Liquid
(Medicine x 5)
Medicine: Diagnosing Wald as being mentally unfit for surgery
Medicine: Diagnosing Wald as being physically unfit for surgery
Medicine: Treatment means nothing if the patient is unable to care for themselves
Medicine: Mental health can have disastrous impacts on health
Medicine: Sometimes, unethical calls can save lives
(Psychology x 2)
Psychology: Diagnosis: Hallucinations
Psychology: Concept: Projection

Renown: 10 for Sybil for leading the apprehension of a dangerous lunatic.

Skill Usage: Appropriate to level

Loot/Losses: none

Injuries/Conditions: none

Consequences: none

Comments: Fun new developments in the saga of Wald and Sybil. Wald looks to be in a really bad way, losing his mind. It was interesting seeing Rasul interact with people when nobody could see him, and Sybil talking patiently as if the child is real. All well played to skill level.

I wonder how all of this will land Wald in the end. If he'll recover his personality or come out scarred permanently. Sybil as ever is a stoic stable person in the room between theirself and wald. It's been interesting watching their relationship from the beginning, with Wald having protecting Sybil early on, and now the roles are sort of reversed.

Fun stuff, enjoy your points and lores.

By the way, Wald! You really need to list your skill levels alongside the skills used. I know your character is legit with their skill levels, but it's courteous to leave the information there so reviewer's won't always have to check your skill level.

If you have any concerns about this review, please PM me about them.