Black Cat

Royal Distraction [IC] [BlackCatxOathmaker]

In that moment as his finger wiped away a few droplets of blood that had seeped through the crack in her mask she couldn't help but find her breath catch in her chest. This mask, it had become her own face within her mind. She only took off the mask when the darkness of night covered her form, when shadow was its thickest. There were no candles, lamps or windows in any room she occupied... Nor did she ever have a mirror within it that wasn't covered by a cloth. This mask was the only face she knew now... So this intimate act of his thumb rubbing over her 'wound' sent shivers down her spine and caused her skin to be covered in goosebumps.

Why... Why was she having such a a reaction to this? Had there been something on the mans fist when he had struck her? Some sort of drug that caused this? She didn't understand why her body was reacting so strangely. It was unnatural... But for some reason she didn't hate it.

What Iris did hate was the sight of this Rowena sleeping ever so soundly in his bed... Her eyes quickly averted from the sight before her, her throat tightening as she was forced by her liege to take a seat.

"I am not worried my liege... Perhaps just a bit startled as this is the first time I've seen the aftermath of your adventures. Usually the maidens you keep, well, they're usually wrapped in a bedsheet running back to their quarters by the time I witness them."

Her tone sounded playful but it was ever so slightly off, perhaps a bit bitter in nature despite her inability to see the signs right in front of her face. Her heart knew... It always knew.

As he went to have someone fetch the first aid that would be needed to address her injuries she couldn't help but feel almost prideful. His father's lessons had stuck with him it seemed, they had helped him grow up to become quite the leader... But now it also helped her see that he wasn't the young boy she had initially been introduced to when she had joined the kings Shadowguard; he was a man.

Before she could delve further into such thoughts the question of just what happened to her crashed through her mind, bringing her back to reality and to the fact that he was now touching her bare skin. Another shiver ran up her spine as she found herself coming to the same realization as Olosse had come to.

But she had a job to do, her mind refocusing on the task at hand as he began to patch her up.

"My liege, I... I was discovered by a rival faction of the Vikar down by the port. It's not just the bludless that have been inciting chaos and debauchery, nor are the rumors complete. It's... it's so much worse. There is unrest within the entire city. Propaganda has been spread through each city section faster than the guard can strip them down, the people are starving due to their food being confiscated if they do not choose a secret allegiance with another faction. Rations don't make it to the people so those with children have been... They've been selling their precious children into slavery. The port... It's filled with ships bringing these children God knows where. I couldn't... I couldn't stop the boats, I couldn't stop those ruffians from taking them."

Behind the mask a few tears streamed down her cheeks as she remembered their shouts for help... All she could do was ensure those still at the port could never use their fingers ever again.

"This place is a war zone my liege, what we've been sent into intentional or not is a suicide mission. This place, it's one act from the Vikar away from the people revolting. If we cannot persuade the Vikar to sit down with all the factions and make a deal, this will all be for naught. We are sitting in a powder keg that has a torch fast approaching... We can try to save it, but doing so will risk our lives in this process even more so than I thought earlier. We have enemies on all sides, there is no one we can trust besides ourselves... I will support whatever decision you wish to make, I will fight till my last breath to see your plans succeed... But I will also spirit you home if that's what you should wish."

Her eyes that had been locked onto her lap moved to the man before her, wincing a bit in pain as the adrenaline seemed to be wearing off.

"What... What do you wish to do my liege?"

Crimson Dew of Violet Roses

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Black Cat's Shop of Plot Ideas [updated as of 12/30/2023]

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A Very Corporate Christmas [Updated with Variation idea on 04/05/2024]

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Royal Distraction [IC] [BlackCatxOathmaker]

“My liege, I-”

Iris was stopped before she could even truly begin, her lips pursed behind the mask as she debated whether or not she should go any further with this matter. It could be that Arel was trustworthy, it could be that this was all a misunderstanding in her mind. Nothing was concrete, there was no evidence whatsoever of betrayal from the Chancellor. But the fact he knew that there was so much danger in rumor alone yet still sent Olosse here ate at her insides like lava to bedrock. If Olosse perished Arel would merely have to send off the young prince Libea to another ‘diplomatic treaty mission’ and the man would have the throne to himself.

He was trusted by all, no one would question him… all except Iris herself, but she would surely die before Olosse would. Sure, one could see this as training but… everything was just slightly off. There was no substance connecting the pieces, but she could sense something was there. Her gut had never steered her wrong, it was what kept her alive for so many years.

“Yes my liege… I shall be available at your discretion as always.”

Iris bowed her head, her heart beat slightly faster as he released her knee from his strong yet gentle grasp. How long had it been since he had directly touched her? It must have been startling for her, yes… there was nothing more to it than shock.

Greetings and orders ensued from either side of the window, Iris unhappy that these rumors were true but happy that Captain Arneus seemed relatively open with his emotions. He was an easy man to read, should all go well with the negotiations he’d make a loyal asset she was sure of it. But they had to make it through this alive first… if they did perhaps she’d help the captain with his poker face. Documents were scanned with those brilliant hazel orbs, a simple nod of agreement to his plan was all that was exchanged in response. When his attention was elsewhere, she took that moment to depart. Her form faded into the shadows, and when next he saw two Shadowguards were now in her place. The Shadows had a terrifying reputation before Iris had joined them, but afterwards they had gained even more of a reputation when they became known for disappearing and reappearing from nowhere at all. That was all Iris; able to traverse through the shadows at terrifying speed, to transport others through that same darkness to wherever they needed to be. Her powers were terrifying… but limited to two people within the shadows at a time. If she tried to pull anymore individuals through that abyss with her she would receive physical damage, it varied each time since it was seemingly random but it always occurred. Like clockwork, Iris emerged from the shadows with a slight limp, her ankle on fire and swollen ever so fiercely. This… this would make her task difficult, but not impossible. She set off deeper into the city, ready to fulfill all that had been asked of her.

---

Iris stood upon the balcony of the room her liege had been assigned to, having opened the balcony doors ever so slightly to alert him of her presence. She could sense someone slumbering within, a woman… She did not wish to wake her and explain her presence at Olosse’s room at this hour. It wasn’t because her heart beated ever so loudly within her ears that she could barely focus, nor was it the fact she could smell the scent of… entwined bodies coming from within. As she stood upon the balcony with her head bowed, awaiting his arrival she couldn’t help but ponder upon why her body was having this sort of reaction. Perhaps she’d need to bleed her ankle tonight after her report… the injury had to be what was causing this tightness in her chest. That was… that was the only logical conclusion.

Iris stood with her injured ankle tucked behind her good foot, her fist clenched against and across her chest as she waited to finish her greeting. Only when she heard his footsteps did she dip her head deeper into the bow.

“My liege, per your request I have returned to you with all information confirmed. It is as it has been reported and no casualties were committed either.”

It was true, though there was one other difference in her appearance besides her swollen ankle.

That immaculate mask she always wore was cracked from the right eye down to her chin, that midnight fabric stained slightly darker by her chin due to the blood that had seeped down into it. It wasn’t a large cut, a small piece of the mask had simply hit a small vein just below her eye that had taken quite a bit of time to coagulate.

“It seems though that even in the shadows I am noticeable. I apologize for my state, my liege.”

She dipped into a bow, her right ankle had now been tucked behind her calf in order to stabilize herself. Her form wobbled slightly but otherwise she appeared fine, small injuries she would eventually heal from that she could put off… But why did she feel ever so guilty for having shown up before Olosse in such a state?

A Very Corporate Christmas [Updated with Variation idea on 04/05/2024]

Bump

Black Cat's Shop of Plot Ideas [updated as of 12/30/2023]

Bump

Crimson Dew of Violet Roses

Bump

Royal Distraction [IC] [BlackCatxOathmaker]

Iris shifted a bit on the bench, her mind shifting words around to properly fit everything she wished to convey in simple easy terms. Unlike his father, Olosse preferred not to mince words nor spar verbally. It was still a trait she was trying to get used to, speaking plainly even in the past had been difficult with her… training. But at last she settled on the words she knew would get through to him, sighing softly as she leaned forward slightly.

“My liege, this… this seems like a trap. I believe in my ability to protect you wholeheartedly, but I am one individual in an unknown location. We have no allies until this treaty is signed, and frankly… I do not trust Arel. I have nothing concrete, just a feeling in the pit of my stomach that weighs heavy. This is our first diplomatic mission since your fathers passing, and this mission was set up by the man whom I deem untrustworthy. We are up against dangerous individuals, the likes of which wish to see the blood of the crown destroyed. There are many unknowns… I do not feel easy about the journey ahead of us.”

Iris’ gloved hand ran across the length of the mask, her nose sucking in a deep breath as she tried to center herself. This wasn’t like her, she didn’t get spooked like this… Something wasn’t right, about any of this. For starters, why would Arel be sending Olosse to a kingdom potentially on the verge of war? If everything was true, why not send him to a different kingdom to ally themselves with? The Vadrudorian Horde was strong, massively so, but so was the army of her kin- no… perhaps it was for the best they were not going to Teraploise. Whispers from the shadows was her father was looking for her still… to be sold off once again she was sure. She refused… she would rather die by Olosse’s hand before she abandoned him.

“If something happens to me, my liege, please get yourself back to Ishmelda. No matter what, you must ensure you return safely back to the people. My life matters not when compared to the weight of your own. I will do my best to ensure neither of us comes to harm but if the inevitable happens… whatever it takes, even if you must go into hiding… You must survive my liege. You must promise me this.”

Royal Distraction [IC] [BlackCatxOathmaker]

Iris sat there across from her liege, feeling rather nauseous with each bump and sway of the carriage that carried them over many miles of dirt roads. If one listened closely, perhaps they’d hear a groan escape her lips from behind that expressionless mask she wore. Gods, if only she had been allowed to ride in her own separate carriage, she would’ve swiftly traversed the terrain through the bountiful shadows in nature and arrived at Vadrudor days ago. Surely there was a place she could hunker down in until the entourage arrived, no one would be the wiser of her absence.This torture of motion sickness was all for her liege though… it was all for him. Everything she did, every thought, every word was for him and him alone. Her very existence was now for Olosse, since the passing of the man who had given her… everything.

At the mention of her name Iris perked up, trying to steady her mind as she pondered upon his question. There were rumors galore within the ranks of the shadowguard, but nothing could ever be concrete if one did not witness it themselves. But there was certainly more to it than that report held, those hazel green eyes gazing at Olosse from behind the shadows she had cast over the holes in her mask. Did he look more like his mother or the man she once served? It was so very hard to tell at times.

“My liege, without confirming this information with my own eyes nothing is concrete. But we have heard… unsettling things, nonetheless. It is why I must implore you to allow me to stay by your side at all times, if these rumors are to be trusted.”

Iris shifted ever so slightly upon the red cushioned bench, her arms crossed under her rather ample chest whilst her left leg crossed over her right knee. Her uniform that she wore at all times was as pitch black as the midnight sky of Teraploise, the fabric tight against her skin which exposed her lithe yet slightly muscular build in her shoulders and back. Her legs though were an entirely different story, taught stocky muscles filled out the tight breathable fabric from calf to her well defined asset. In truth, perhaps she had taken more of a shine to running than she had to her sword and dagger training. But she’d never admit that, after all, she was supposed to be an expert in all manners of protection.

“Things in Vadrudor are far from ideal. The people are restless due to a group called Bludless who seek to usurp the throne and claim it as their own. They seek the destruction of the blue bloods, wanting to see a new face on not just Vadrudor’s throne but… everywhere.”

It was clear from Iris’ tone that the idea did not sit well at all with her, but behind that mask the rage she felt towards these so called ‘warriors of the people’ was very clear. She had seen many groups like this when she lived her rather simple life in Terploise, even having been used as bait at one point to lure out usurpers who claimed they were the real king and her father was a fake. They wished for all of the king's children to die with him, that night still fresh in her mind as it was the first time she had seen her own blood. The scar just beside her belly button was plain as day even though nearly a decade had passed. Her other forgotten siblings though… they had not been so fortunate as to receive such a simple scar.

“This unrest harms the people, yes, but ultimately Bludless believes they are sending a message of their power to all the kingdoms. If they can do this… what else can they do? That is what worries me about this trip… things are escalating my liege and I do not wish to see your life snuffed out in the crossfire. Diplomacy is important but I cannot…”

Iris trailed off, she dared not finish her words stating the fact that she was terrified she’d lose another king. Those words dared not cross her full lips… so silence reigned over the carriage, uncomfortable in its overwhelming presence.