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| Details |
| Author: | Disknight |
| Summary: | Velrin awakens from the nightmare to discover that she's found her shalan, but it's not at all what she expected. Celaven finds her and offers comfort to both her and an unlikely third. |
| Rating: | M for Mature 17+ |
Deep in Ashenvale Forest the air hangs heavy and still. There is no sound to be heard. No howling of wolves, chirping of birds, or skittering of rodents and insects. There is an intense pressure emanating from the clearing ahead and it feels as if even the wildlife itself is afraid of speaking out of turn and upsetting the tenuous balance.
In that stillness, there's just the faintest hint of a faint intake of breath, a rustle of silk from an unseen presence.
Suddenly there is the sound of rushing leaves followed by the singing of steel and the sharp percussion of limbs striking one another.
Velrin and Nylarria come into view. Both of them are trembling and have tears streaming down their faces while they clash. They lunge and slash and kick at eachother fiercely, but neither can seem to land a blow. Watching them fight it like watching an impossibly passionate dance. The pair moves as one being, parrying, blocking, and evading one another with preternatural accuracy. It would look choreographed if not for the hatred burning in their gazes, visible even through Nylarria’s blindfold.
"Velrin!" calls Celaven Evensong, and with the word he steps out of shadow not terribly far away. His hair looks more tousled than usual, perhaps like a person who's been sleeping against a tree. He follows up the word immediately with a quick, murmured shield, manifesting protection around his girlfriend from this new aggressor.
“Ven!” Velrin’s pained expression lights into joy for a moment as she looks at Celaven. Nylarria presses her advantage and shatters the shield with a large wheeling slash from both her warglaives wreathed in flame. Velrin snaps back to attention and the two continue clashing, gradually slowing pace until they each manage to get a blade at the other’s throat.
They stop. The two women stand there panting in perfect sync with eachother. After a couple beats the anger melts from both of their faces and they slowly lower their weapons.
Velrin rushes over to Ven, wraps her arms around him, and starts sobbing into his shoulder. Nylarria’s knees give out from under her and she sinks to the ground, dropping her warglaives. Her hands tremble at her sides and her expression is empty.
Celaven curls his arms around her protectively, though he keeps half his attention on the other combatant. With no idea why the fight stopped, there's no telling if it might start again.
"Velrin, I tried to follow you," he says, stroking her hair. "Did she attack you when you woke up?"
It takes Velrin a moment to form words, “W-w-we attacked eachother.” Velrin continues to sob and sniffle. She grips Celaven tightly, digging her fingers into his skin. Nylarria remains still, as if she’s trapped in another world.
"I saw you in the Emerald Dream," Celaven says quietly. "At least, in a sense. It was an illusion. But she was with you there. Why did you attack each other?"
“B-because I hate her!” Velrin wails, “She dragged me into her nightmare! I-it was horrible…” Velrin becomes less and less put together as she goes on, “I hate her I hate her I hate her I hate her.” She mumbles over and over.
"She… dragged you into her nightmare?" Celaven repeats, still stroking her hair. "How did she…" Celaven looks over at the still figure of the demon hunter. "How did you do that?"
It takes a second for Nylarria to register his words, “I… don’t know…” she says softly.
Celaven squeezes Velrin a little tighter, but he's looking sternly at Nylarria. "Was it some sort of… demon thing? The Nightmare had to do with Xavius, after all…"
Nylarria still doesn’t seem to fully recognize his presence, “I don’t think so… it felt… darker…” She finally lifts her head and points it at Vel and Ven, pointing a finger toward them, “She came into my nightmare as well. It… changed when she did I-I… I’ve never felt so alone…”
"As when… you weren't alone?" Celaven's ears twitch as he looks between the two women.
Velrin is inconsolable and keeps crying. Nylarria shakes her head and furrows her brow in confusion, “No… I’ve always been alone. I had my master before but…” she trails off and zones out.
"Let me get this straight," Celaven says, his brow furrowing. "Velrin either pushed or was pulled into your nightmare, and it changed, and then you woke up and attacked each other? Because… you hate each other?"
“She attacked me.” Nylarria corrects, “But the feeling is mutual… I think.” Her confidence in her answer seems to fade a bit at the end. She stands up and shuffles closer to the couple, dragging her feet through the leaves.
Celaven turns to put himself more in between Velrin and Nylarria. "You think? Is it possible some of this is due to Nightmare manipulation? The power behind this was certainly targeting the feelings of those who remained out of his control."
Nylarria shakes her head, “I don’t think so. Ever since I awakened from the nightmare I feel… different.” She stops after coming about five feet in front of Celaven and regards him curiously, “Like my heart is…” she places a hand on her chest and furrows her brow, “What?” She seems to be wrestling to figure out what it is exactly that she’s feeling right now.
Celaven stares at her. This is an answer she's going to have to figure out on her own. But… maybe he can help a little. "How would you describe it, what your heart feels like?"
“When I awoke to find myself hand in hand with Velrin I was furious. Like nothing I’ve ever felt before.” She tilts her head and regards Celaven, “But since you came here, those feelings have started to fade… I feel like… I can trust you.”
"We have never met," Celaven says, watching Nylarria's face to gauge the veracity of the statement. "But I think I can guess who you are. I'm Celaven Evensong, priest of Elune, and I have no desire to harm you."
Nylarria looks to be sincere, however she seems just as confused as she is relaxed in Ven’s presence, “And I will not harm you. I was taught to never harm an innocent, even should they threaten my life.”
Velrin’s sobs become less violent, but she still clings tightly to Celaven.
"Let's just agree that we're all innocent here, then, and take a minute to have a breath," Celaven says, still stroking Velrin's hair.
Nylarria crosses her arms and shakes her head, "That rabid cat is a murderer, but I'm not interested in killing her. Not now anyway."
"She's kaldorei, just like you," Celaven counters. Then, in a softer tone, he adds, "It sounds like there was some kind of connection between you."
Nylarria tenses up and her hair stands on end. The gears start turning in her head. Velrin keeps weeping into Ven. She starts to mumble in his ear, “Do you still love me? You still love me, right? R-right?” It’s the same response he remembers from Velrin’s nightmares from before, “I’m still yours? Tell me I’m still yours. Please. Please tell me I’m yours…” However, this next part is new.
"Yes, yes," Celaven says, returning his attention to Velrin. "Of course I still love you, and there's nothing a nightmare can do to change that. You're mine, Velrin, for as long as I'm yours."
Velrin sniffles and continues to cling onto him with all her might, “I-I’m sorry. I-I-I just want to be yours again… I feel so… so disgusting!” Velrin raises her voice at the end. “Please take me back. I’m sorry. G-give me a bath. P-please? Wash it all away and make me yours again. I’m sorry…”
Nylarria frowns and takes a few steps closer. She reaches out a hand to stroke Velrin’s hair.
Celaven looks at Nylarria in confusion, but says to Velrin, "I'm sure this has all been so confusing - maybe after a bath, and you both get some true rest, everything will be clearer. The Nightmare Lord is defeated, you don't need to worry about being trapped in nightmares anymore."
Nylarria looks a little surprised and regards Celaven warmly, “Right. Thank you, priest.” She strokes Velrin’s hair a bit longer, “Those are memories that should never have been shared…” Velrin keeps clinging to Celaven. Nylarria seems to regard him curiously as well but snaps out of it and retreats to grab her warglaives from off the ground, “Let’s head back to Astranaar then.”
Celaven relaxes slightly, at the clear evidence that whatever this is, it isn't likely to head to more violence. "Yes, let's head back to Astranaar."
He tries to coax Velrin to move in the direction of town.
Velrin refuses to loosen her grip whatsoever, but she does start to shuffle along with them to town. Nylarria carries on limping a few paces ahead of them on the way back.
Celaven watches Nylarria limp as they continue on, with a growing concern in his eyes. Eventually, he says, "Are you injured? If there's something I might be able to heal, I could do that now. There's no need to wait until we get back to town."
“I’m fine.” She calls back, “There’s nothing in your power that can cure this.”
Celaven frowns slightly after her, and says, "If you say so. Just let me know if you need someone to lean on."
Nylarria halts for a moment and considers,”I will.” Then she carries on back to town
As they pass into the outskirts the city, Celaven's gaze is drawn in a particular direction.
He says to Velrin, "I need to check how my sister's doing soon. She was trapped in dreams, as you were, but mother is with her. She'll be safe. Shall we go to the inn?"
Velrin tenses and tightens her grip on him, “No! Please don’t leave me! Please…” her eyes are wide with fear.
Nylarria makes a pained expression but is otherwise unphased, “Take her to the inn and do as she asks for now. I doubt she’ll feel better until you do.”
Celaven nods at Nylarria and turns back to Velrin.
"Soon, I said, not now," Celaven says patiently. "And maybe you'll feel well enough to come with me by then? I don't think you've seen my sister in a while, though neither of you may be at your best right now. For now, a bath, and rest."
Celaven follows Nylarria into town, towards the inn.
“One with moonwell water.” Velrin begs, “And you have to scrub everything really really good.”
There are a handful of Sentinels taking care of a few bodies that are laid out on the ground and covered by sheets, but they do their best to hide the sight from the oncoming group.
Their efforts are wasted on Nylarria, however, who can tell exactly what is happening and her ears droop. Her pace slows a bit but she keeps limping on toward the inn.
“And then you can claim me again?” Velrin asks with a mixture of hope and fear, “I need to remember how you feel.”
Celaven looks with sad resignation at the bodies as they pass. If they could have been resurrected, someone would have by now. Still, his ears droop as well.
"Yes, Velrin," he says soothingly. "I'll do my best to remind you how it feels to be safe and loved, and…" He looks forward at Nylarria with concern. "Do you have somewhere to go? People who will take care of you?"
“No.” She responds bluntly, “My master and all my fellow students were killed by her.” She says accusingly toward Velrin, but not as accusingly as before.
Celaven snuggles Velrin tighter and looks to Nylarria. "Then let me get you a room here. You need somewhere to rest as well."
“Very well.” Nylarria keeps walking until she enters the inn.
With Nylarria nearby and Velrin clinging to him, Celaven speaks with the innkeeper and arranges for two rooms, one with a bath to be drawn with moonwell water. The innkeeper takes all of this with admirable neutrality. Presumably he's had odder visitors in Astranaar before. Celaven leads Velrin away from the demon hunter and to their own room, a small upstairs one with actual walls, a cozy bed with purple covers, and a bathtub now filled with warm, glistening water.
Celaven sits down on the bed with Velrin, trying to meet her gaze. "Let's get you into the water, love. You'll feel better before you know it."
Velrin seems oddly embarrassed and nervous around him and keeps looking down at her feet, “O-ok. But can you - c-can you turn around until I’m in the bath… I feel disgusting and I don’t want you to see me like this…”
"You will never look disgusting to me, Vel," Celaven says seriously, running a lock of her hair over his fingers. "But I would not want you to feel uncomfortable."
Celaven pulls away from her, turning to stand facing the wall.
“Th-thank you… I’m sorry…” She leans up to kiss him on the cheek, “I just… it was horrible. I-I-I I hate myself right now. B-but I’ll feel better after you wash me up. I-I hope.” Velrin gets up, takes off her clothes, and steps into the bath, “O-ok. You can come over now.” Velrin sits scrunched up in the tub holding her emotional support knife close to her chest.
Celaven turns back and comes over to the tub, finding the soft washing cloth. He peers at the knife. "Will that not rust?"
Velrin shakes her head, “This one is stainless.”
"If you say so," Celaven says with a smile, dipping the cloth in the water. "Do you want to talk about it? What you saw in the… shared dream?"
Velrin’s eyes go cold, “Do you… think it will help?”
"I don't think trying to lock things away will help," Celaven says gently, squeezing warm water over her shoulders. "If you're not ready to talk about it yet, I understand. But I do hope you will be able to talk to someone, eventually, even if not me."
"O-ok…" Velrin seems to relax bit by bit as Ven starts washing her, "But it was really really awful, I… if you don't want to hear any more then please tell me." Velrin takes a deep breath and clutches her dagger tightly, "W-well you know how in the other nightmares I was a ghost and watching everyone else being happy? W-well in this one I was alive, a-and I was attacked by satyrs…"
Celaven nods, gently but thoroughly scrubbing her shoulders with the cloth. He doesn't speak for now, giving Velrin space to continue.
"I-I tried to fight them! B-but I was so weak… I don't know… it was like I was powerless." She shrinks down into the water, "They took my weapons, stripped me, beat me, and…" Velrin trails off into nothing at all. Her whole body starts to shake.
"That must have been terrifying," Celaven murmurs, reaching in to wrap his arm around her shoulders, heedless of the water.
Velrin sniffles and starts to weep violently. She clings to his arms for dear life.
"You're safe now," he murmurs, abandoning the pretense of washing for the moment. "Nothing can get to you here. And you're strong, Velrin, here in reality. Strong and capable. Even if you don't need to be, because I'll protect you."
Velrin leans back into his touch. Bit by bit her breathing returns to normal. She sniffles and keeps holding onto his arms, “Th-they took me back to their village with Nylarria. Y-you were there too. And Sir Dane and Cressidha and Mordecai and Colson and Shan’do and all the others.” She grips his arms tight again, “You all just stood there and watched while we were humiliated…” Her body jerks as she lets in a shaky breath.
"That part must have been the nightmare, trying to hurt you both. You know none of us would never do that," Celaven says gently, still holding her. "I don't think any of the people you've named would have stood by while something like that was happening to anyone, and they care about you."
“I-I know that, but it was so scary. And it felt so real…” Velrin squirms in the water, “I can still feel their… their filth on me… please wash it off.” She looks up at him with big pleading eyes.
Celaven pulls back and continues to scrub her skin. "I know it felt real, but it wasn't - it was a cruel trap. You're clean and safe, and I'll do whatever I can to help you feel that again."
Velrin sighs and offers each of her limbs to Ven in turn, “I-I know…” she takes a deep breath, “Thank you… I don’t know what I would do without you.”
Celaven washes each limb vigorously, as if he wants no speck of dirt, physical or spiritual, to remain. "I don't intend for you to ever have to find out, love."
Velrin blushes, “I love you. I wish I knew how to tell you how much you mean to me. No matter what I do it feels like it’s never enough.” Velrin flashes a pained smile, “And you’re always the one helping me.”
"For now, maybe," Celaven says, his attention still focused on scrubbing. "But if we're partners, then we help each other when help is needed. Today, you need my help. Maybe tomorrow, I'll need your help." He finishes with one hand and holds it between his, turning his gaze to meet hers. "And I think we're more honest with one another now. Next time I ask you for help, I believe you'll help me, or tell me why you cannot."
“Of course I’ll help you. I just…” Velrin smiles and wiggles, “I want to show you how much I care about you, but I’m not always sure how.”
"Right now, it's this," Celaven says, squeezing her hand. "Not shutting me out, even when you're hurting. Letting me see this part of you."
Velrin's ears wiggle with glee, "Well you know how much I love when you look at me, so look away." She giggles and sticks out her chest, "But umm… well I guess we should talk a little about what happened earlier…"
Celaven smiles, enjoying the view for a moment, and then sobers. "What happened with the demon hunter, you mean?"
Velrin nods, “I-I’m not sure if you’ve figured it out already or not, but I can feel it deep inside of me. She’s my shalan.” Velrin looks down at her reflection in the bath and places a hand on her heart.
Celaven lets out a low sigh. "Yes, I thought… I wasn't sure, because I thought you would know, and you were so upset. How do you… feel about her? Now that the shock is past, now that you're safe."
Velrin sets her jaw and scowls, “I hate her… But I hate myself more for not seeing it sooner…” She sighs in frustration.
"If you had, would you have done things differently, with her…" what do you call a group of demon hunters? A coven? A horde? "…team?"
"I'm not sure… I always knew something was off. When I went off to raid their base I defeated Nylarria. I could have killed her. Maybe I should have, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. Evanlyn asked me why I spared her and…" Velrin shakes her head and pauses for a moment, "I couldn't give her an answer. I just knew that I couldn't do it."
"You knew it was important she be safe," Celaven says quietly. "It reminds me of something my mother said."
"And when she came after me to get her revenge, she couldn't bring herself to do it either…" Velrin reaches out for Ven's hand without looking.
Celaven reaches out to take it without comment on the motion. "Because you're a part of each other."
Velrin hums in acknowledgement, "Even as we chased one another across Felwood, whenever we got ambushed by satyrs we would immediately stop fighting to work together and kill them." Velrin squeezes Ven's hand for support, "She was the perfect partner. We never even needed to tell the other what we were about to do next. Then after while we rested we would talk some. The conversations never went anywhere but I understood how she felt. Every word I could feel in my bones, but I couldn't accept it. I think it was the same for her…"
"The perfect partner," Celaven repeats, and for a moment there's a flicker of sadness in his expression. He puts that away for the moment, and returns his attention to Velrin. "And now it's been presented to you in a way neither of you can ignore."
Velrin nods a little despondently, "You remember how I was when the nightmares started. They were horrible, of course, but even after you comforted me to make it better I still feel so nervous. Like something was going to jump out at me at any moment." Velrin sees the flicker in his eyes and tugs his arm closer to her, "Until I couldn't take it anymore and rushed out here. I wasn't even sure why I did it. I just ran out into the woods and found her there, writhing in terror… Then I took her back to town to care for her." Velrin shakes her head and whispers, "I don't even know why. I just… did it."
"Because it was the natural thing to do," Celaven says with a small sigh. Then he frowns. "But… then you fell into the nightmare as well."
Velrin sees his frown and gets worried, "Ven, look at me." She shakes his arm to get his attention, "You saved me. I was trapped in there but you got me out, and now you're nursing me back to health. Do you know how much that means to me?"
"I love you," Celaven says, a little helplessly, meeting her gaze with open sincerity. "And I would be there for you, no matter what happens, if I can. But I know that I'm not a part of your soul."
"That doesn't change how much I care about you!" Velrin says desperately, "Even if I met my shalan and he was a kind and handsome man, I would still want my first child to be with you. Please… I can tell what you're about to say and it's breaking my heart."
"It just… it should be a happy thing, finding that perfect partner," Celaven says, pain in his eyes. "I don't want to diminish that for you."
“And you aren’t, darling.” Velrin tugs harder this time to try and meet him eye to eye, “I would be lost if you weren’t here right now. And don’t you remember what I told you about what I liked? I said that I loved it when you told me what you want.” Velrin smiles softly and reaches up to grab Ven’s face, “You’re always so selfless, and I love that about you, but now I’m telling you to be selfish with me. Ok?”
"Then selfishly, you're my alor, and I want to keep you," Celaven says, not looking away. "And I don't want to let anything change that."
Velrin’s face flushes bright purple and her ears wiggle wildly, “Who’s am I?” She asks expectantly.
"You're mine," he says almost immediately, his ears lifting and a touch of hope comes into his gaze. "No matter what ties bind you to others, you're still mine."
Velrin closes her eyes, brings his face to hers, and opens her mouth.
Celaven raises his hand to cradle her head, and leans in to meet her lips with gentle passion.
Velrin leans back in the bathtub and kisses him back for as long as he wants, letting him decide when he’s had enough.
It's a while, but eventually he realizes the water is going to cool. He pulls back, a dreamy smile on his face, and asks Velrin, "Do you feel any cleaner?"
Velrin darts forward to steal one more kiss for herself, “Much cleaner. But…” she gets a sly look in her eyes, “I think there’s one last part you forgot about.” Velrin rubs her thighs together and bites her lip before putting on a pouting face with big puppy dog eyes, “That nightmare was so scary. I-I think I need you to remind me about how gentle you can be.”
Celaven laughs and leans forward to pick her up from the bath in a princess carry, the gleaming water flowing away from them. "Then come to bed with me, alor."
Velrin giggles as he carries her over and starts kissing his cheek and neck, “My hero~” she says sweetly, "Claim me again and make me forget all about that nightmare."
Once they have done their best to banish nightmares, Celaven still lies awake, his thoughts too active for slumber. He holds Velrin, sleeping, gently against his side, and he watches her sleeping face fondly, timing his breath to match hers.
A soft creaking sounds off of the floorboards as a set of uneven steps creep into the room. Nylarria stands at the entrance to the room dressed in strips of maroon linen that are wrapped around her to cover her chest and groin. Her hair is hanging loose over her back, reaching down below her knees. The long, fine strands glimmer in the moonlight.
Celaven looks up at the creak, and his shining eyes fix on the intruder. His voice is not unkind as he says quietly, "You couldn't sleep either?"
“No.” She steps further inside, favoring her left leg. The brand on her thigh almost glows in the dim, “Though it seems like she doesn’t feel the same.”
Velrin makes soft noises and kisses Ven’s shoulder in her sleep. She’s sleeping soundly for the first time in a long time now.
"She feels safe, I hope," Celaven says, glancing down at her. "Because she is safe. And I hope you are, too."
Nylarria inches closer but by bit, “Against my better judgment I’d say I feel the same way.” She takes a deep breath, “I take it you’ve figured out why we’re together by now.”
"Yes," Celaven says simply, ever-so-gently pulling Velrin closer. "She knows. She's coming to understand it, I think. Are you?"
Nylarria turns away to face toward the outside, "How could I? With these ridiculous mood swings I'm angry one moment, scared the next, then happy after that…" She crosses her arms and taps a finger, "How could I sleep with all of that going on?"
"Are the mood swings… new?" Celaven's gaze sharpens on her, a healer ready to help. "How do you ordinarily feel?"
Nylarria shifts her stance to face toward Celaven again, leading with her left leg. It's a defensive move, but a subtle one, "I normally try not to think too much about how I feel."
"In my experience, refusing to think about feelings does not cause them to cease to exist," Celaven says gently. "Is it just that they are growing harder to ignore today?"
"Perhaps in your experience. She told you about the nightmares. Would you prefer I felt like that?" It is unclear how pointed this question is meant to be.
Celaven takes it at face value. "What I would prefer is immaterial to how you actually feel. If that is still how you feel, how it was in the nightmares… I am sorry. And I would help you find a way out of that, if I could."
Nylarria regards him for a few beats then turns back around, "But you can't." She says matter-of-factly. She pauses for a moment, "She really cares about you doesn't she…"
"We care about each other," he says, nodding agreement. "We've been through a lot together."
Nylarria stands still for a while longer, “I’m trying to figure out why I felt like I should come in here.”
Celaven gives her a little time to consider, and then offers, "I have never had that bond, but… my mother has said she feels right when they're together, her and her shalan. Like she's where she's meant to be. It may be something like that, drawing you closer to her."
Nylarria considers that for a moment. She pivots and hobbles over to the side of the bed near Velrin and looms over her. “To think that someone so dangerous could look so peaceful right now…” Nylarria taps Velrin on the cheek with the back of her hand. Velrin stirs but just snuggles deeper into Ven.
Celaven smiles. "I think she might say the same of you, if your places were reversed." He hesitates, and then offers, "Would you like to… sleep here? And I do mean sleep, literally. I don't believe you will harm her, and… it might be easier than trying to sleep alone."
Nylarria freezes, “Sleep… here? Why are you doing this? You don’t know me and I don’t know you.”
"No, we don't know one another at all," Celaven says with a low sigh. "But you are very important to someone I love. And besides, you said yourself that you couldn't sleep, and that you feel safe here."
“Just because I feel safe doesn’t mean that I am.” Nylarria stands up straight, “Velrin killed my master. Shalan or no, I don’t trust her or her feelings.”
"That's your choice to make," Celaven nods gently. "I know the history between you is… fraught. In any case, I have no reason to treat you as an enemy, nor do you me, that I'm aware of. So I will be here, should you change your mind. We will be here."
Nylarria huffs in a sort of bizarre acknowledgment of his words then limps back out of the room.
Celaven settles back into the bed, closing his eyes. It was worth offering, at least.
Before long, however, Nylarria comes back through the door carrying her meager belongings as well as her warglaives. She finds a spot along the wall a couple yards from Velrin and carefully sits down.
Celaven opens his eyes again when he hears her return. He watches her settle in with a faint smile, and then he nods. "Goodnight, Nylarria."
Nylarria doesn’t seem to notice, or at least doesn’t react to him.
Velrin stirs and wakes up, “I love you, Ven.” She says sleepily as she sits up. She rubs her eyes and looks over to see Nylarria. There’s suddenly a knife in her hand but after a moment she places it down on a side table. She glances between Nylarria and Celaven trying to put the pieces together having just awakened.
"She was having trouble sleeping," Ven murmurs. "It's better with us all in one room."
“Do you think so?” Vel smiles and rubs Ven’s chest then slides her hand down his arm to his wrist and pulls Ven’s hand to her chest. She’s in her cute sleepyhead cuddle monster mode.
Ven carefully does not grope Vel in front of Nylarria, but tries to redirect the movement to snuggle her in closer to him. "I love you, too, Vel."
Velrin giggles at his touch, but she resists being pulled closer for now, “But why is she all by herself over there.” She turns to Nylarria, “Aren’t you lonely?”
Nylarria cradles her warglaives in her arms, “I’m fine.”
"She's where she wants to be," Celaven says.
“But she’s all by herself…” Velrin frowns.
Nylarria tries to remain firm but her arms start to tremble a bit.
Velrin’s ears droop and she starts to get downcast and tears up.
"You are welcome in bed, should you prefer," Celaven offers.
Nylarria clutches her weapons tight to her chest, “I’m not getting any closer to her…”
Velrin sniffles and starts to cry softly. She lays herself back down next to Ven and holds him tight.
"Patience, love," he murmurs. "This is a new thing yet."
“B-but she was in the Nightmare with me… Y-you should give her a bath too.” Velrin whimpers.
Celaven looks over at Nylarria dubiously and says,"I'm not sure she wants that. But… if so, I could get a fresh bath?"
Nylarria tenses and presses her back against the wall but after a while she responds, “A bath sounds nice.”
Celaven nods and starts to pull away from Velrin, heading to the tub to prepare another bath. To Nylarria, he says, "I'll prepare the water, and then perhaps go for a walk, to give you privacy."
Velrin lets her hands slide across Ven as he slips out of her grasp, “Wake me up when you get back so I can say goodnight again.”
Nylarria takes a few steady, deliberate breaths, “Thank you…”
Ven rises and prepares fresh, warm water for Nylarria, testing the temperature with his hand before he nods at the two women and heads for the door.
Nylarria waits for Ven to get to the door before she cautiously slinks over toward the bath, paying close attention to the entrance while she does.
Velrin crawls out of bed and throws on an oversized sweater to help keep warm and goes over toward Nylarria.
As soon as Ven is out of sight, Nylarria takes off her wrappings leaving her black arcane tattoos exposed. She slowly steps into the tub and lowers herself in, gathering her hair in front of her to hold it.
Velrin kneels down by her side and gets a brush, a sponge, and a bottle of shampoo ready.
“What are you doing?” Nylarria asks her.
“I thought I could help you bathe. I… I still may not approve of what you are, but… you’ve been through so much, and… you deserve to be shown at least a little kindness.” Velrin says nervously.
Nylarria remains as motionless as a stone. She didn’t move her head to face her but Velrin could tell she was looking at her.
“I’m sorry… I… I know what it feels like to lose someone who’s dear to you and… I took away someone very very special to you.” Velrin says quietly but sincerely.
Nylarria keeps silent and settles herself deeper into the warm bath, “If you’re looking for forgiveness, you won’t find it here.”
“I-I’m not I… I don’t regret what I did, I just… I don’t want you to feel alone anymore. You don’t have anyone you can rely on. You never have, even with Allanon.” Velrin says gently.
Nylarria’s chest tightens. She clenches her jaw, “Shut up…”
“And maybe I can’t help you but… I’m hoping Celaven could.” Velrin reaches out to touch Nylarria’s face.
Nylarria keeps still and doesn’t react while Velrin holds her cheek.
“He’s very kind and sweet. When I met him I was alone too.” Velrin explains, “He saved me, and I think he could save you too.”
Nylarria takes a long, deep breath, “It’s hard to miss something you’ve never had.” She finally turns her head, “I suppose I have you to thank for all this… this chaos in my mind.”
Velrin takes her hand away, “It’s not all bad, I promise. I can feel everything you’ve been through and just being near you makes me want to cry. No one should ever have to feel this way, demon or not.” She grabs the shampoo and brush, “So please, let me show you that there are people out there who will be kind to you.”
Velrin waits for Nylarria to say something but she never does. Eventually she just takes some shampoo and starts lathering it up in her hands, “Here, let me help you. I know it’s a lot of work to take care of such long hair.” Velrin starts wetting and brushing Nylarria’s hair and putting shampoo in it. Nylarria grabs the sponge and scrubs her body. In spite of all the tension Nylarria feels inside, she slowly starts to relax.
“Your hair is so pretty.” Velrin admires it while she washes it, “It’s so fine and silky.”
The faintest traces of a smile start to show on Nylarria’s face, “Thank you.”
“I’m a little surprised you’re able to keep it so nice all on your own like this. Running around across the forest all the time, you know.” Velrin keeps lathering and brushing, taking care not to damage it, “I’m lucky.” Velrin says with a giggle, “I have my papa’s smooth, coarse hair. It’s really easy to take care of.”
Nylarria leans back in the tub while Velrin takes care of her, “It’s a matter of pride. I’ve learned to manage.”
“Pride?” Velrin asks.
Nylarria takes a deep breath to steady herself. Velrin can already sense what’s about to come and starts to cry, “They used to like how soft it was too. They’d fight over who got to cut it off and keep it.”
“That’s horrible…” Velrin says with a sniffle.
Nylarria sighs, “That was all hundreds and hundreds of years ago now.”
Velrin keeps sniffling and continues washing Nylarria’s hair even slower and more gently, “We’ll have to get you your own shampoo and conditioner for next time then. Mine isn’t the best for this kind of hair and I want to make sure it stays as pretty as this.”
Bit by bit Nylarria eases further down into the bath while Velrin takes care of her. After her hair has all been cleaned and rinsed, Velrin massages her scalp for a while. She takes her time but eventually she speaks up again, “I suppose we should probably get you up and dried off before Ven gets back.”
Nylarria sits up groggily as if waking up from a good nap, “Oh, you’re right. I’ll get dried off.”
“I’ll help you.” Velrin rushes off to grab a nice fluffy towel while Nylarria steps out of the bath.
Velrin hands the towel off to Nylarria so she can dry off her body while Velrin grabs another towel and starts patting her hair dry, “There we go.” She says as she finishes up. Nylarria finishes around the same time, having taken great care not to irritate her brand. She reaches up to the ceiling and stretches, “Goodness, I didn’t realize how much I needed that.”
Velrin smiles wide, “I’m glad you liked it!” Her ears wiggle. She glances down at the wraps that Nylarria had been wearing earlier, “Do you not have any pajamas to wear? Those don’t look very comfortable to sleep in.”
“I’ll be fine.” Nylarria dismisses her and starts walking over to grab them.
Velrin jumps after her and grabs her wrist, “No, wait. You can borrow some of mine.”
Nylarria blinks underneath her blindfold, “W-what? No, it’s alright you don’t have to-“
“Just wait right here.” Velrin cuts her off and rushes over to the dresser.
Nylarria stands stunned while Vel rummages through the drawer until she eventually pulls out a sheer, spider silk nightie. "Here!" She scurries over to hand it off, "You can wear this. It's really smooth and light. And the skirt is very short so it shouldn't hurt your leg."
"Is that… clothing?" Nylarria cocks her head at it, "I know that things look different using spectral sight, but I can hardly see this thing, it's so thin."
Velrin blushes, "O-oh, right. I just grabbed this one without thinking because Ven likes it so much. You probably want something that covers more, don't you."
Nylarria nods almost sheepishly.
"Ok! That's not a problem." Velrin puts the nightie back, pulls off her sweater, and hands it over, "You can wear this."
Nylarria takes it and feels the soft, rich fabric, "Thank you." She says quietly and then slips it on and pulls her hair out through the neck.
"Now let's comb your hair out before we go to sleep." Velrin grabs Nylarria's wrist again and drags her to the side of the bed. Nylarria looks surprised, but doesn't seem to resist. Nylarria takes a seat on the edge of the bed and Velrin sits behind her going through her hair with progressively smaller and smaller toothed combs, patting it with a soft towel as she goes to continue drying it.
The longer the two spend together, the less and less if seems like Nylarria has to say, and Velrin's usual anxious demeanor is nowhere to be seen. "Your hair is so pretty." Velrin comments a few more times while she works.
After a while Nylarria notices that Velrin's hands are starting to shake and her teeth are chattering, "You're cold. Why don't you put something on?"
Velrin just giggles at her, "I want an excuse to make him snuggle me more when he gets back." She says impishly, "Besides, I don't like wearing clothes after I mate. Or during, either, I suppose. Or really ever come to think of it. If I wasn't so cold all the time I don't think I'd bother." Velrin finishes with a laugh.
Nylarria smiles with amusement at that, "For me, showing skin is more of an occupational hazard. I'm too likely to burn anything I wear to bother with anything nice."
There's just the faintest sound of a knock at the door.
Velrin's ears shoot up, "Come in~" she calls cheerfully.
Nylarria gathers her hair in her arms and turns to face the door.
Celaven enters with a hint of crisp air around him, shivering a little in his nightclothes. It is still winter outside, and he hadn't taken a coat.
He notes Nylarria first, and seems relieved to see her more at ease. Then he notices Velrin's state of dress (or lack thereof) and the corner of his mouth quirks upward.
He moves in, closing the door behind him, and says, " I hope you feel refreshed?"
“I do. Thank you.” Nylarria says politely.
Velrin gives Ven a look that says: snuggle me I’m cold.
Celaven nods at Nylarria and moves over to curl his arms around Velrin's torso. He might not be helping that much, he's also cold.
"And maybe now, we can all get some truly restful sleep," Celaven says with a smile.
Velrin nestles into him and hums, "Not too restful I hope."
Nylarria looks a bit awkward but smiles, "Yes. Hopefully so."
Velrin looks at Nylarria, "Do you want to sleep with us?"
"Oh, I…" Nylarria backs away and stands up off the bed, "I'll be fine just laying against the wall."
"There isn't any… expectation, if that worries you," Celaven says, settling back into the bed. "The offer is made in earnest, should you prefer a softer place to rest."
Nylarria nods to Celaven, “I know.” She takes another step back, “But I’ll be fine down here.” She goes to sit down against the wall next to Vel’s side of the bed, leaning against the frame.”
"As you prefer," Celaven says, his voice already starting to go vague with sleepiness.
Velrin takes her favorite blanket, a large wintersaber fur, and offers it to Nylarria, “Here. So you don’t get cold.”
Nylarria takes it in her hands and seems a bit at a loss for a moment before she wraps it around herself, “Thank you.”
Velrin smiles at her and lays down. She snuggles close to Ven, wrapping her legs and arms around him, waiting for him to pull the covers over them. Nylarria follows suit and rests her head against the bedframe and relaxes.
Celaven pulls the covers up, snuggling close to Vel. He looks over at Nylarria, and nods slightly. All is well. Now, they can sleep.