• Open • Requiem for the Never Dead

[Devin]

Devin wasn’t aware of the fact that the absolutely treacherous and incredibly attractive overwhelmingly hideous Alsing Van-der-Lay was really Kalortah, of course, and that he had a gem that allowed him to shapeshift (Which was something that he would have been envious of in spite of being a Becomer!). As far as he was concerned, his rival had died the final death which was something that he was sadder about than he had ever thought possible. He hadn’t liked Kalortah particularly when he had been alive, but now, he just wanted to have him back! Scalvoris sucked without him! He wanted Kalortah to come back – right now!

Which was exactly what had happened. When he had wiped his eyes with his lacy handkerchief for the second or third (or fourth!) time and looked at the funeral guests once more, he noticed that Kalortah was standing where Alsing had been only a few moments earlier. The young man was so stunned that he stood there, unmoving, and blinked a couple of times. For a trill or two, he wondered if he had acquired the ability to raise the dead in addition to being able to see the future, and then he abruptly dropped his handkerchief and ran over to the Avriel with his beautiful wings that he had been so envious of once upon a time in order to hug him because he was so incredibly happy to see him again!

“You are alive!” he blurted out and firmly wrapped his arms around him. He had totally forgotten that he was supposed to have a problem with Kalortah because he stole all the attention from him, and that he was supposed to hate his guts. Instead, there was a wide smile on his face. “But how? Did the Immortals bring you back because you are a hero?” he wanted to know, his tone of voice filled with awe and his violet eyes incredibly wide. That, he concluded, was what had most likely happened. Kalortah was a favored of the Immortals, he was a hero of Faldrass, and for once, he didn’t even envy him because he was just so glad that the Immortals had decided to bring him back.

Eventually, his gaze fell on Kalortah’s family though, and the young priest blushed slightly, let go of the Avriel, straightened himself and made a step back even though he didn’t really want to let go of his Kalortah and give his loved ones the opportunity to welcome him back (and marvel at him, or just pass out from shock or have a heart attack) but go somewhere private with him because there was so much that he wanted to tell him. His gaze was still firmly focused on the other man though, and he remarked, “You are really alive! This is indeed a miracle! Praise Delroth!” he added, because it needed to be said.

[Kalortah]

The next one to stand up, in shock and perhaps anger - no definitely anger to see him scowl - Was Kalortah's father, who pointed a spindly yet strong finger at his son. He intoned in Lorien, "Kalortah, you treacherous fowl, you would have us think you're dead, rather than the coward you were?!" He made a few steps in Kalortah's direction, before his mother Ophiriel stepped in the way, trying to hold him back.

His father growled and tried to get past her, yet she held him fast for the moment, enough moments for Kalortah to hear Devin's words of shock and ... joy? Why was Devin happy?! Did he, did he really mean all those things he said?!

Kalortah had to admit, though Devin was a human and a lesser being by default, he was extremely slightly envious of the man's ability with a stringed instrument. Kalortah often wondered if his talent with his drum was sufficient to compliment his voice. He was competent enough, but if he could play the lute like Devin, that would make him a truly legendary bard! His face twisted in a sour amalgam of happiness, bitterness, and embarrassment as he let Devin hug him, even though it ruffled his head and back feathers.

He asked if Kalortah had been brought back because the Immortals knew he was a hero, he shook his head but said nothing. His shame burning a hole in the back of his watering eyes. He said nothing.

Then Devin pulled away, and looked and marveled at Kalortah as if he was really something worth admiring. Kalortah felt even more awkward than he had moments before. His father was still wrestling with Ophiriel.

“You are really alive! This is indeed a miracle! Praise Delroth!”

"Yes, Praise Delroth, always."

Kalortah looked from Devin's smiling face, to the crowd, and cleared his throat behind his wrist. Then, with his best and most commanding and confident voice - although he didn't feel confident - he spoke. "Ahem, yes well... The Immortals have brought me back for a purpose, I daresay. My people are still in peril... I must go to them!"

A string of Lorien curses flew from his father's mouth as he finally broke away from Kal's mother. As if in time with his announced departure, Kalortah flew away from him.

He was well capable of outpacing his aging father on the wing, being an expert at flight, and possessing of more vitality than the older man.

He flew with all speed, to the south, taking what twists and aerial acrobatics were necessary to lose his father. Then, he flew to Gunvorton, where he knew a place he could rent a cabin, and hole up for a while as Larza Impre. Hopefully nobody would be the wiser that Kalortah Satravial was still on the island.

[Avalon]

Review Rewards

Devin

Name: Devin

Points awarded: 15xp
(Cannot be used for magic)

Knowledge:
Detection x2
Discipline x3
Etiquette x1
Rhetoric x2

Renown: 10 (For officiating the 'funeral' of a councilor)
Loot: Small, pretty glass sculpture of a bird

Skill Review: All Skills used appropriate to level

Kalortah

Name: Kalortah

Points awarded: 15xp

Knowledge:
Discipline: Holding back sadness, tears, and shame is difficult when under a transformation.
Discipline: It's hard not to give in to the temptation to give your rival a hug.
Acting: Keeping up a facade and pretending to be Alsing for a spell.
Deception: Maintaining a facade.
Psychology: Noticing that your rival is sad.
Psychology: Realizing that it's making people feel bad to think that you have died.
Psychology: It isn't ethical to stage your death, and can lead to real emotional trauma for the survivors.
Psychology: The shame of faking a death was painful.

Renown: 10 (For faking the death, setting up the fake funeral and the subsequent rumors that will fly as a result of his reveal!)
Loot: -2 wp (checked on CS - listed as funeral expenses and gifts for Devin)

Skill Review: All Skills used appropriate to level

Your knowledge requests were appropriate although I would say that "Deception: Maintaining a facade." could be made a touch clearer with wording.

Notes:
Brilliant thread all! I very much enjoyed reading it and learning more about each of these colorful characters.

Balthazar - even though you didn't earn rewards for the thread, I enjoyed learning about a pre-Rharne Balthazar and his relationship with npc Isabella. Balthazar is sneaky as ever and always looking for information through a variety of different methods. As always, you wrote him and the npc well.

Devin - Oh my! Devin is as ....well...Devin as ever in this piece. I laughed so much at some of his thoughts (especially how he thought, for sure, he would get the biggest gift!) The thing that always strikes me about how you write Devin is that he is unashamedly himself all the time, but along the way, he learns lessons that are genuine, honest, and sincere. Sometimes he doesn't frame them in the same context as other characters might but they are true to the character and I appreciate that.

Kalortah - This piece is my main introduction to this character and I enjoyed learning about him very much. He played the straight-man to Devin's quirkiness most of the time but there is a depth to the character that I really appreciate. The entire read was him thinking about why he was doing things and how it was affecting other people. It was introspective and taught me, the reader, a lot about Kal and how his mind works.

Well done all!

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding this review, feel free to PM. Enjoy your rewards!

Avalon