Domitorem Corvo

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Blackout
West Point Castle
The owner looks up at Sia.
"I know who you are. Doesn't change the fact that he's not allowed to drink here." The owner opens a sort of briefcase and pulls several bottles down from the top shelf. "But, if both he and the bottles were to leave third establishment. Well not much I can do about it, is there?" The owner slides the briefcase to Sia. Gin tugs Sia's pantleg and nods towards the door.
"I know a spot."

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Blackout
West Point Castle
Gin stammers and attempts to redress himself but Sia drags him off. As they pass down the street women and men alike give various expressions of shock and disbelief. Gin covers himself with his free hand but doesn't let go of his training sword. Sia asks about a bar and Gin nods in the general direction. Before he can protest she is dragging him again. Gin, frustrated, digs his heels into the ground to no avail. They enter a bar and Sia orders a drink for him. The bar owner recognizes Gin and gives Sia a sideways glance.
"Attendants can only drink with permission from their Ladies." The owner says setting a single glass down in front of Sia. She glances at Gin and gives him a smug smile. "I got spare clothes in back. Go get dressed." As Gin leaves to cover himself the Bar Owner leans in a little to watch him go and whistles. "Nice."

Gin returns in a standard guard clothes and stands by Sia silently. Awkwardly. Everyone is watching the two of them.
"I..." Gin starts. "I just..." The Owner sets a shot down in front of him. Gin gives her a quizzical glare.
"Only one." The Owner says and goes back to polishing a cup. Gin stares at the small glass of alcohol and sits quietly.

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Blackout
West Point Castle
Raia collapses back against the wall in the alley barely able to stand.
"That was even better a second time. Your turn." As Raia approaches she notices that the sun is directly above. "Shit, high noon. I have to go. Find Gin. Meet me at the Castle in a few hours." Raia kisses Sia deeply and buckles her pants again. Chron trots up and Raia hops onto his back slinging her rifle over her shoulder as she does. She blows Sia a kiss and is gone.

West Point Castle Dojo
Gin practices his sword forms. Each stroke. Each step. Each fluid movement precise and measured. The dojo is vacant except for Gin so he has discarded his robes and is wearing only his undergarments.

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Blackout Zero
Mountain Fort
The foul odors shift subtly but noticeably. The Bloodmen cheer as Gaul cuts down their ranks. They surround Gaul but keep with distance from him and his bear. Then they begin snarling like rabid dogs, cutting themselves, spilling blood, and stomping their feet in the pools it forms. A Blood Baron makes his way towards Gaul with a slow menacing pace. As he nears he produces a spear and shield before dropping into a defensive fighting stance while the stomping becomes rhythmic and the Bloodmen begin barking in time with the beat.

The ones not preoccupies with Gaul give chase to Blaze by seeking out the unfamiliar scent. They crash into each other and are all snorting and sniffing through their nose as they close in on Blaze.
"Fox man! Make warm coat!" From behind the third wall there are terrifying howls as rabid and starved hounds are released.

West Point
Raia listens as Sia explains. She's quiet for the whole thing. Once Sia finishes Raia sits in silence for a moment.
"I suppose it was too much to expect to have you all to myself." Raia seems almost hurt. She raises her hand and a soft pulse of light shines from beneath her skin. "But you don't have to worry about out living me. This power I was given... this body is just a puppet. My true self lies at the core of my Throne Realm. This body is a vessel for my consciousness. It's kept young by the Light and should anything happen to it another is created and sent to replace it almost instantly." Raia sighs heavily.

"You're going to leave when this is all over. Aren't you?" Raia asks even though she knows the answer. "From what you said, you can travel between these other worlds at a whim. But I can't go. Not as things are. My people are too vulnerable. The Bloodmen are tenacious and brutal enemies. So long as they exist my people will never know peace." Raia wants to say more but instead she takes Sia's hands in her own and places them on her body. Then slowly she stands and unbuckles her pants looking out the alley, watching for interruptions.

West Point Castle Dojo
Gin squares off against Sword Master. They stand with the tips of their bamboo swords almost touching. The Master strikes Gin across the stomach with a powerful blow. Gin falls to his feet.
"Hesitation is defeat. You must clear your mind. In battle where are the victorious. And the dead. Again." The Master assumes the stance. But Gin stays on his knees. The Master lowers his guard and takes a deep breath. "Hesitation is defeat. In battle. And in Life. Often times an attack must be followed through... even if it is futile. To have reservations is to instill doubt in yourself. Remember that." The Master of the Dojo leaves quietly. Gin lies on his back and brings a hand to the his necklace.
"Even if it's futile, huh?"

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Blackout 0
West Point Castle
Rider picks up the saddle and plops it on the Ostrich. Ducks down and scoops up Sia in response. Rider smiles. And clicks her tongue as she nudges Chron onwards. They ride up to a elevated platform and look out over the Town Square. Rider shifts nervously in her seat. She glances at Sia and takes a deep breath. Suddenly the crowds part as caravans of Ladies and their Attendants make their way into the square. A few cast curious glances at Sia. When they are all gathered Rider speaks.

"Before we begin the address. I'd like to make an announcement." Rider is speaking sternly. If she has any reserves they aren't showing. "This is Sia of Frostback. She is an offworlder from a land far away. And I am making this announcement to say that I am in love with her. And I plan to marry her." As Rider says this she takes Sia's hand and interlocks their fingers. The soft murmuring of the crowd stops and it is dead silent. A few of the more distinguished Ladies are looking to each other as is to say: seriously?

"Attraction and intimacy between women is nothing new. We all have people we love. We should not stigmatize love in any form. Love should be love no matter the circumstances. I will defer to the Matrons for legal matters as to estate and class politics." As Rider finishes speaking a single hand goes up.
"May I ask a question?" A young attendant speaks meekly. Rider nods. "Does this apply to men as well?"
Rider smiles. "Of course it does. You should be free to be with whomever your heart desires." The meek attendant smiles wide and thanks Rider.

The rest of the address goes smoothly, though somewhere in the middle Gin leaves the platform and vanishes behind an important looking door. Rider ends the address and leads Sia's Ostrich off the platform. Once dismounted and out of the public eye Rider attacks Sia with kisses. Her heart had been pounding in her chest the entire time.
"I've made up my mind. Stay with me, please?"

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Blackout
Pirate Ships
Sea Wolf crosses his arms.
"It's no secret that those pledged to the orb are resurrected once a month. Normally to get that benefit you'd have to join, or be conscripted, to a Lord. But that orb is unbound. It's owner died. Meaning no Lord to yank our chains. Admiral Ghat is an honest man. Man of the people. If he holds the orb, well, we've got nothing to fear from no Lords." Sea Wolf kicks the bag of gold, uncorks a bottle of rum, and sets himself on a barrel. "You're willing to cut a deal. So let's deal."

Blackout 482,004,911
Zaak
I upon entering I can feel the Umbral Reality bearing down on me. But it's not suppressing my power. It has little effect at all. As The First and Lilianna emerge I wave for them to follow. Down a forest road, then down a much narrower path. There are boot prints. Recent ones. We come upon a large group of men and women. Pitchforks, torches, sickles, and scowls round out the angry mob. Slowly they all stop and turn to us. A priest makes his way back to us.
"Who, in the grace of God, are you?" The holy man says. We stick out like sore thumbs. Our fine apparel and clean skin.
"What's going on here?" I ask avoiding his question. He doesn't like that. "I'm Zaak. By the way."
"Well, Zaak of...?" The priest is trying to gather more information. I don't want to be too aggressive but this is already testing my patience.
"Everywhere, nowhere, take your pick really. This is my wife and daughter." The priest seems to only now notice them. He recoils in disgust.
"You let your woman and child dress in such a manner?!" I roll my eyes.
"They are independent, free thinking, powerful women. They can wear whatever they want." I say at the priest who grips his cross/dagger combo tightly. "Ugh, you know what I'll go talk to the witch my damn self." I push past him and feel pressure in my back. I stop and sigh heavily. "That better not be a knife in my back. Or so help me..."

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Blackout
West Point Mountain Fort
A Blood Baron looks down from a watchtower on the second wall. He snarls and barks orders to his subordinates.
"How the hell did they get past the watch?!" He snarls.
"Not see. Can't see them. Wolf. Viking. Not See."
"Just go kill them."

As the Baron clangs an alarm the entire mountain fort is swarmed with the foul smelling Blood-men. A few Blood-men stand behind a shoddily made Gatling gun. As the Snipers line up with their black powder rifles small gates along the main path open and Berzerkers come flooding out by the dozens. They scream unintelligibly and charge Blaze and Ghaul with weapons that are little more than rocks and clubs. None of the barbarians seem to notice that a single watchtower is unresponsive. The Watchtower where Flame is.

West Point Castle
Rider, Gin, and Sia all stand around a pen where large animals are corralled. A large lizard, wolf, a mongoose, and an ostrich. Rider turns to Sia.
"Nobility rides. Take your pick." Rider says slapping Sia on the ass. Gin tenses slightly.

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Blackout
Rider's Throne Realm
Rider is taken aback. She is confused by Sia's sudden embrace.
"Sia..." Rider wants to ask Sia if she's remembers being the Old One. But watching her Rider doesn't want to frighten her if she doesn't. Instead Rider plants a kiss on Sia's neck leaving a symbol marked into Sia's skin. The mark contains Rider's power and will repress Sia's Eldritch form and impulses. "Do you want breakfast?"

West Point Castle
Gin shields his eyes from the bright flash of light. When he looks again Rider and Sia have returned. Sia is in Rider's arms cradled tenderly. Gin averts his Gaze when he realizes they are both nude.
"My Lord." Gin says kneeling.
"Sorry if I scared you. I wanted to test something." Rider says to Gin. "Grab us some breakfast. Then prepare a selection of mounts. Sia wil be joining me on my patrol today. Gin gives a salute and turns to leave.

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Blackout
West Point Castle
Gin sighs deeply. He can hear the two of them in the room. He tried to forget the nights spent with Rider. But they haunt his waking thoughts and dreams. But if she is happy then Gin can abide it. He doesn't trust Sia though. Not because he expects her to harm his Lord. No, Sia, like all offworlders will either die or in the unlikely chance she succeeds, will leave. Gin takes a sip of the sake he set aside for himself. As he stares out the window he unconsciously fiddles with the necklace Rider gave to him years ago.

The next morning.

Rider wakes before Sia. She had thought she'd feel shame. But she doesn't. Instead she feels contented. Rejuvenated even. Like a new person. Rider quietly climbs out of the bed careful not to wake Sia who is sleeping like a rock. Rider admires the view. But then she remembers. The thing inside Sia. The Old One. The Great Horror. Rider raises her hand and prepares to use her Beast Lord power. Before she can fully cast it though she reconsiders. It's not safe here. Rider knows how to make what she's about to do safer. But it will only be safer for everyone else. Doing this will place Rider in extreme danger.

Rider traces Sia's outline. Foggy memories come drifting up through her mind. And she decides. In a bright flash of golden light Rider and Sia vanish. Gin comes rushing into the room.
"My Lady!? My Lady!?" Gin shouts. "Raia!?"

Rider is shocked, though she maintains her composure.
"I see. So this Old One isn't just inside you. It is you." Rider stares up at the horror that can only be understood through metaphor.

Percieves the world through endlessly gnashing teeth and understands by devouring. To be known by this is to be consumed. Rider changes the laws of her Throne Void to compensate. She also reaches out with her powers to calm the Old One. Finally, Sia manifests in her humanish form.

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Blackout
West Point Castle
Rider swallows hard and stares up at Sia. She tries to judge Sia's intentions. It's hard to do while intoxicated. The berry in the wine still has her spiralling. With an internal "fuck it" she tears open her robes and grips Sia by her hips.
"Tell your boyfriend not to be mad at me. Because right now I want you." Rider grabs a fistful of Sia's hair and pulls her close. "Say my name again. Softly. Like a lover would."