[Open] The Place Where it All Began

[Rickter]

The Place Where it All Began
Glade 2nd, 122nd Year

The family had a lot to discuss evidently, much of it about Rickter who was obviously the outcast to their lot, but to the fact that their mother had to actually come all the way north as well. While they were all caught up in understanding the situation overall, Elinora gave Rickter leave to at least hang out within the lobby of the place. Given how late it was there was probably not much food left in the kitchens, still, Margo was kind enough to provide him a bowl of beef stew steeped in vegetables and potatoes. It was by far the best meal he'd had from her in a long, long time, given that the wolf hadn't frequented the High Hopes since before the excursion into the Warrens for Lyra.

After having a satisfying meal he then went back to the room to borrow, well use in this case, a piece of parchment and a writing utensil. Luckily Patrick was willing to provide such tools, leaving Rickter to his devices within the lobby of the High Hopes as he waited for his loved ones to return. Unsure with how much time it would take them, he figured he'd wait in a spot where nobody looked to or really sat within, nearing the closest corner to the door as he looked down at the parchment to begin writing. Telion, as focused as she was, would likely try and find a means of appealing to them... yet Rickter knew better. Queen Sahfri was furious with him, hence the exile sentence, and he hadn't forgotten just how ruthless of a queen she truly was.

It didn't help that the very same room the boys were staying in, was in fact the room where he'd bunkered down to shelter Talon. Being in there was a haunting reminder of what awaited him, if the Iron Queen did in fact grace him with her unshakeable presence. Just the thought alone already set his heart in motion, leading him to worry before he'd even started on the note in front of him. No. There was no way the Queen would rescind the sentence, not when he hadn't done anything to prove he deserved it. And Rien... Rien who he'd thought as a close friend, likely suffered now because he not only lost a father and a brother... but still had a sister to worry over as well. All this grief, all because of Rickter's own failures.

He was good at that, though, wasn't he? Failing to pull through when he needed to the most, and he couldn't help but wonder... what it was Talon saw in him when they first Bonded. Just the thought led him to eye the restrooms at where it took place, and slowly but surely the wolf started to connect it all in one place.

It was here.

The High Hopes had been where he'd met Telion and Hannah, where he forged the bonds of friendship that got him this far, where he came as a regular mercenary, a guard to the Prince himself, and even now an outlaw. He knew Telion wouldn't have any luck reaching him either, as it was likely Rien would be kept shut indoors, safe from all the press and the constant hassle of the public eye. So their only hope was to get in, retrieve the kids with anything left that was useful, and then return back here for the remainder of the evening. The moons hung well into the night now, and the lobby had quieted down considerably since his arrival.

Still, there were several patrons that enjoyed the booze and food offered here, while the wolf himself looked down at the parchment before him somberly. If he had anything he wanted to say to them... any last words he wanted to tell, then he needed to put the word to pen and express them. Sahfri... was a lost cause on his behalf, but if he could express anything of value to Rien, it would be that the wolf hadn't given up on the ones they had all lost. Not yet.

Thus he started to write, the pen scribbling across the parchment as he often paused, considering his choice of words and how would've relayed them in person. There was a certainty weightiness to the words as they pulled on his heart a little, Rickter having to fight back tears as he came to finish the note and rested the pen aside.

"Common" "Synskrit" "Norvaegan"
"Rickter" "Telion" "Hannah" "Patrick"

To Rien Delris Novalys, Second Son of House Novalys

First, I must profess at how deeply, truly sorry I am over these recent developments. I had left on this expedition with the noblest of intentions with returning Kisorika back to Kalzasi, however, things did not pan out the way that any of us ever expected them to. The late Shokoze was a brave and good man, and it breaks my heart knowing that I'll only ever have what few memories of him I do.

Serving the Novalys family has truly been an honor, and a blessing, because it brought me to meet so many wonderful people. And while the regret I bear is maddening for missing the wedding that Talon and Aoren had, know that nothing hurts more than living with the shame of failing each and everyone of you. Truthfully, I know not why I was allowed to serve Talon both as a royal guard and a Justicar, but I do know that in these dark times he would not want us to despair.

In fact, it is a Justicar's purpose to deliver justice in this world, to light the way for those who cannot find it for them, and most importantly, to provide those people with the hope of a better future. I will not stain that legacy. Not while I still draw breath. Believe me when I say, Rien, that there will come a day when I will see those two returned home. It is my solemn vow to save Talon and Aoren from our enemies, wherever they may be, as I will bring the light of dawn back onto Kalzasi.

Until then look to the stars, and pray to the Northern Light for their return. Look there for hope if you must, and hold onto that hope, for there will come a day where you are all united.

Until my dying breath,
Rickter Maze

(Within the confines of the folded note rests the token Rien provided Rickter during his Argent Hand trials)

[Baudric]

The Place Where it All Began

Glade 2nd, 122nd Year

Baudric wandered into the building. It was too late to return to the Leukos estate as a kathar of the Legion. He wore a high collared black tunic that hide his collar. With as much hassle as the collar was in his time here in Kalzasi one would think it better to remove it. But not for Baudric, which he knew no one would even begin to understand. A drink and room for the night was needed. Thanks to Rickter, he new the right place for it.

It was pretty bare in the tavern this late. Thankful to have a quiet drink instantly made him relax. So much on his mind as a decision needed to be made. He motioned to the barkeep for his usual, having now been here enough for recognition.

Just then he spotted the Wolf. He was back from his mission? Surely he had heard of what happened then. With a soft sigh he grabbed drink and walked over to where he sat with letter being penned. Pulling the chair he sat across from his respected colleague.
"You are back."

He gave Rickter a gentile smile. The two of them were both generally quiet ones. Their own interactions tend to be more on the acceptance of presence. But now he wasn't sure if Rickter would still look at him favorably, let alone want his presence. He wasn't sure who was responsible for the current state of affairs. But the highest suspects were certainly a hard pill to swallow when you were allied with one and swore fealty to the other. Taking a heavy swig from his Berliner Weisse, savoring its sourness before a satisfied swallow of the golden liquid. He looked around uncertain if he should say anything about his interrogation and what came after.
"Can I buy your cup?"

"Mein Licht, vertreibe die Dunkelheit, befreie meine Seele. Fliegen Sie in der Luft des Zufalls."

Baudric Von Uberfallenlicht

Baudric KathalanCasting

[Rickter]

Admittedly the warmth of the building had started to overwhelm Rickter now, prior to coming in before, therefore the buttons on his black jacket were unclasped. The white shirt beneath it still hid the runes all over his upper body, though, the Kinetics rune beneath the fabric still beheld a minor glow through the fabric. He had finished his note and placed the pen aside, ready to bury his forehead into the cup of his hand for a moment, until the wolf's blue eyes lifted to see the one person he didn't expect to find.

Or rather...

Alarm filled him when he realized that he had indeed been discovered, an underlying sense of panic when he realized that it was none other than Baudric. He had seen the Kathar several times during his time at the Palace of First Wind, where the man served both Talon and Kisorika during his stay within the city. Rickter recounted the number of times they would come here for a drink, when the wolf learned of the legionnaire's dreams of being a brewer one day. The fact that they would see one another here, and that the wolf was immediately recognized, set the wolf on a slight edge to where he tensed visibly before the Kathar.

Yes. He was back. He shouldn't have been though, and it was likely Baudric knew of this as well. Elinora hadn't finished the discussion with her sons yet either, which meant there was no cover the wolf had to hide beneath. The wolf bit his bottom lip hard as he very much acknowledged Baudric's presence, still, there was no confirmation as to how the man felt until he finally posed that considerable question near the end. A drink? The minor fear in his eyes lessened as he looked to the pale-skinned man, a somberness in their expression as checked the level of liquid left in his own mug. Though he did not know why, it had been empty for the past ten minutes now... And he simply was too paranoid to worry about requesting another.

"...Sure." He finally responded after a moment of silence, as the wolf slipped a token from the pocket of his jacket, and folded it within the confines of the parchment. Now that the ink had dried and the note prepped, the only thing that remained was determining how Rien would get it. Rickter thought that, maybe, he could leave it here at the High Hopes for Margo to hold. Rien was usually checking in often before things went to shit so... who was to say that he might not come back in one day? It was poor reasoning given that Rickter knew only a little about the young Novalys' situation, and while he loathed himself for that, the wolf had little choice other than to make do with what few options he had.

He then looked over to Baudric, since the Kathar had taken to sit across from him. Clearly, everything that had happened recently had struck the wolf hard, as Rickter was barely able to even look Baudric anywhere near the eyes. There were... so many questions the wolf had to ask. Questions that the wolf didn't want to be answered honestly. Yet, he didn't doubt the intentions of this man. Baudric was one with honor, the wolf had found, therefore didn't seem the kind of person to go turning him in later either. Then again...

"...Does the Queen know about this?" He reluctantly asked with his firm gaze down at the parchment. "Do they know I'm here?... or did you discover me by accident?" Way for him to sound so concerned about his own skin at the moment, but it was the first thought that came to mind, so likely the first thing that would bring him some small peace in their conversation. Nevertheless, his heart still pounded as he waited to hear the answer from Baudric.

"Common" "Synskrit" "Norvaegan"
"Rickter" "Telion" "Hannah" "Patrick"

[Dreyfus]

☬ 2nd of Glade, Year 122, A.o.S ☬
Company: Rickter & Avialae| Thoughts: My condolences| Mood: Comforting

☬ There was an atmosphere of gloom that lingered over the city now. Given the events of the "Black Wedding," as everyone was calling it, it was understandable if there was a shadow that loomed over the whole of Kalzasi. Dante can't say he was elated to see it, as he had come to the city to experience its culture in all its vibrancy, but that was derailed thanks to the death of their king.

To say the least, seeing the sorrow on the face of others only reminded him of his former home, and of the pain, their dogma brought even to other places. He found it audacious for them to believe their way of life to be the right way, such mundane and primitive ways of thinking would never progress society like they imagine it would.

Feeling his enthusiasm being drained by the somberness of the city, Dante found himself venturing into one of the local bars in the Jeweled Arches, the High Hopes, an ironically named place given the mood of the city. Mosying up to the bar, Dante found his eyes falling onto a familiar face, one he wasn't expecting to see, but not surprised on seeing it. It was the wolf that assaulted him when he came to Zaichaer on diplomatic circumstances.

The Vampyre had half a mind to waltz right up to the man and deck him across the face, returning in kind finally, but given all that has happened, he refrained from doing so. For a moment, as he ordered his drink and waited for it to come to him he observed, watching the man interact with another, a rather large looking avialae. Where were those tusks he saw? Not to mention did this one have two sets of wings? The way these winged men bred with other races was truly fascinating to Dante.

The sound of his drink being set before him pulled him from his thoughts and turning to thank the barkeep he moved to where the two men were, nodding to the avialae to acknowledge his presence, but his eyes staring deep into the other, into Rickter. "Allow me to start by saying that I owe your punch to the face for the one you gave me in the embassy that day Sir Rickter, but this is not how I wanted to meet with you again. Given the current circumstances, I can set aside my petty grievance with you aside." he began, the sharpness in his eyes softening.

"Ever since our conversation during that tour of the West End, I have always found your prince to be quite interesting. It's a shame that what transpired happened." he spoke, just now realizing Rickter may not have known who he was. With a smile, he bowed and raised his cup just a bit. "My apologies, when we first met you knew me by Dreyfus Montileyet, but nowadays I go by Dante Vanhelsing." he introduced, his smile never waiting.

"May I join you two? " he asked, a look of genuine hopefulness in that he would be permitted to sit among them. ☬

---

"Common Speech"
"Silandris Speech"
"Self-Thoughts"

[Baudric]

.

.

Rickter had a hard time looking at him, a strange thing to see from him. Did he suspect him for having any part of the events? He couldn't blame the 'Prince's wolf' for it though. They might not have told each other ever aspect of their lives, but he did hope that at the very least he would come to know that Baudric could not have any part of this. All these assumptions was beginning to make his nerves uneasy. Best to just make it known. Before he could speak, Rickter started with a tone in his voice that was unlike him. Fear?

"The Queen? I do not follow your question." Was he hiding from the Palace? "Rickter, I am an Imperium Knight-Legionnaire. Only recently was I released from the Mistreach Keep, thanks to the houses vouching for me. I assure you if you are hiding from the queen you are safe in my presence. Let me get you that drink so we can talk and catch up since you left."
Baudric stood so he could gather a drink at the bar for the man it was clear that he needed a bit of liquid courage in this moment. As he stood there was a face he had never seen before stepping over. By the manner of speech and choice of words, he was intrigued to the familiarity he shared with Rickter. For if they were not enemies they had to have been close allies that just happened to speak with an air.

"I have no qualms, if he allows it."
Even with his collar hidden beneath a high collar. There was no hiding his thick Kathar accent of the Imperium. Not knowing his position in this matter, he left the choice to Rickter.
"Verzeihung, I will be right back with that drink, Sir. Something tells me you will need it."

Baudric gave the new man a respectable distance as he passed by. Making sure to keep his wings in check against accidental bumpage. There was something about this Dante Vanhelsing that nagged the back of his mind. Yet it refused to make itself known. The idea of leaving Rickter alone with anyone that was not Telion, while in this state of paranoia, did not sit well in his gut. He wasn't questioning Dante but neither did he feel right to abandon Rickter.

It didn't take long to get the drink he had seen the Wolf order on a few occasions.

"Mein Licht, vertreibe die Dunkelheit, befreie meine Seele. Fliegen Sie in der Luft des Zufalls."

Baudric Von Uberfallenlicht

Baudric KathalanCasting

[Rickter]

The wolf's eyes never faltered from the table as he listened to Baudric, the uncertainty felt in his tone discernable to the wolf as he listened to the Kathar remind him of his role. Of course he had overestimated the Kathar, thinking the man would've freely served the rest of the House as well as he did the Prince. The revelation led to an ease into his shoulders as he listened to the man's own misgivings. To be held as a suspect for interrogation, the wolf couldn't have imagined surviving that.

Not even if they were to risk it now; for what good did it do to question an exile. "...Aye," he came to only slightly nod as he still remained alert, though more about the room when another scent filled the area. It was a peculiar scent that he'd never noticed before, something like a heavy aroma of iron embedded within... a Zaichaeri. No sooner did he realize who it belonged to, the individual had already approached them with full intention. As though they knew or recognized one of the two men, immediately leading Rickter's hand to permeate a bit as he realized he was approached.

No actual magic had been casted, even so, the element seemed ever so eager to respond to his emotion. It was the utter confusion that sunk in which led Rickter to hesitate, his eyes deadlocked on the sunkissed man that stood before him. Was he just... threatened? In a roundabout way? He tried to remember just who the hell this guy was, the wolf not remembering the instant he punched a man over a riot within the streets. Rickter did not want to bother trying to remember what that was about, only barely remembering the scent of this guy from when the envoy reached Zaichaer.

Wariness saturated his eyes like a dog waiting for a stranger to make a move, as he did not want this to turn into a scene now of all times. He could've fled if needed, he knew immediately where to Spatial Map if he needed to Blink out of here. Yet, the longer he listened, the sooner he started to realize the Zaichaeri wasn't threatening him. And that change in his gaze, had the bastard found pity in him for whatever reason? Did he know something about Talon the wolf did not? The wedding perhaps?

Rickter didn't know if he wanted to dawdle on that or not. He'd already been through enough hell as it were, and just when he was about to get his family back again as well. But part of him knew... That part that wrote the letter, as he stared hard at it for a moment, before eyeing the stranger with a piqued sense of curiosity. The moisture of frost on his palm thawed as he wiped along the forearm of his other sleeve, the wolf nodding to Baudric a little reluctantly as he kept a mindful eye on Drey- er, Dante now. Interesting to hear that this one went through a transformation, the wolf wondered what sort of living hell he had to go through. Especially if it drove him all the way out here.

As Baudric went to retrieve that drink, a mildly tall human with hazel green eyes approached the bar from the hall. Quick to observe that a particular guest within the bar had already drawn attention, which in turn, led the rugged man dressed in a southern tunic. "Aw hell, can't leave the guy alone for one minute." He remarked with a near exasperated sigh, noticing the Orkhan-born Kathar at the bar. Impressed as he was by the man's, well, size, he definitely played it normally since this was literal Avialae country. Plus, he had no idea if Rickter had found trouble already, or if simple luck just a few friends to share a drink with.

Thus, the Atinoran leaned at the bar with a smug grin, quick to interject on the legionnaire's choice in the beverage. "Actually, friend, you might wanna consider somethin' stronger. This ain't just a loss he's mournin', broken hearts require strong whiskey in my experience!" He remarked with a paid friendly grin to Margo, the barmaid chuckling with a roll of her eyes as she walked away. "I'll take one too, though, can't have our friend drinking alone now."

Patrick then drew near the Kathar, enough to notice something under the high collar, yet careful enough not to pry too hard to discover what. Then with a friendly pat on the man's shoulder, he nodded toward the wolf as Rickter quietly listened to Dante for the moment. It was a pleasant distraction from the encroaching fear that reality settle in, and that his beloved and their best friend were kept contained. Never able to come home. Would he have to leave late into the night? Would he stay here alone until the morning? He dreaded the uncertainty, almost to a point where the immensity paralyzed him. It was when the two returned with drinks in hand, that Rickter noticed Patrick had come back to join them.

"Hey, Umber, how's about we relax with a stiff one, huh?" Patrick enthused as he took a seat between Rickter and Baudric, the Antinoran's eyes locked on Dante curiously as he rested the mug down next to the wolf. Of course, the guy had to go and pop the bottle down as well, the cork popped open as he wasted no time sipping into the whiskey in his hand. And while the wolf looked at him first, then his drink hesitantly, Rickter gave in to the idea of drinking with the lot of them. He was so worked up earlier, and now, he had others who'd last seen him here at this hour. Would they tell the Queen? Or the local guard?

Neither one seemed aware of the charges against him, only that some tragic twisted fate had befallen his life. The wolf's heart wanted to ache once more, pondering if he would ever be rid of this wound upon his soul. Still, Rickter imbibed in the sharp taste of whiskey and frowned, a little caught off guard by the burn when it hit him in his throat. After he'd heard Dante's story, the wolf had his time to think, enough to dare ask the burning question sitting within his mind.

"What happened exactly?" He looked in utter anxiety between the two of them. Dante he wasn't sure if he'd seen, but just the rumor alone would've been enough. However... if Baudric had been there firsthand, and they interrogated him for it later... then he knew. He had to have. Even as Rickter kept his breath at a calm and patient pace, his heart pumped rapidly as he felt the container in his grip gradually frost beneath his skin.

"Common" "Synskrit" "Norvaegan"
"Rickter" "Telion" "Hannah" "Patrick"

[Dreyfus]

Company: Rickter, another male, & Avialae| Thoughts: My condolences| Mood: Comforting

☬ After he allowed the silence to settle in the larger avialae returned, with him another male who seemed rather familiar with Rickter joined them. He was not of Kalzasi either, which meant he was either from Zaichaer or from the Imperium, either of which couldnt be a good thing.

Despite the newcomer, Dante's focus remained on Rickter and his demeanor. He was nervous, upset, and sorrowful. All of this made the vampyre raise a brow as it was the complete opposite when he first encountered the man. He almost pitied the man as he studied him closely, looking for any semblance of the man he met before. There was nothing left, for now anyway. He couldn't stand to see Rickter in such a state and found this to be a pathetic display.

Was losing someone so detrimental to oneself? His question caused Dante to blink a few times before it cliqued in his mind what was being asked of him. With a sigh, he looked off to the side as he found the best way to explain what he knew of the situation."I can't say for sure what happened at the venue, it wasnt a priority for me to attend. But I witnessed the fallout of the attack. The eclipse, the explosions, the enemy assaulting the masses, the deaths. It was.....a dark day indeed."

He allowed that to set in before continuing, taking a sip from the cup, looking into it to peer at his own reflection in the alcoholic beverage. "That being said, I'm sure you've heard about the bounty for the ones responsible." a wicked smile formed on his face just at the thought of the Dornkirk brothers being implicated in this. "The Dornkirks, the ones with the highest bounty on their heads for their involvement, do you remember them? They attended the wedding from what I heard, one of them even being responsible for the death of Kalzasi's king and the assault on Talon"

His eyes drifted to his cup once again, though the smirk that painted his lips still lingered there as he continued. "I am acquainted with the Dornkirks and nothing would bring me greater joy than seeing them pay for what they've done, if only for a chance to meet your queen and collect the reward." his smirk widened at the thought of seeing them in chains. They would be the first of many to feel his wrath for everything that he experienced.

Looking back to Rickter he offered the man a smile that he hoped would comfort him. "I wish I could tell you this was all a dream, but sadly this is the reality, how you deal with it is on you." He wasnt going to baby the man, but if he wanted someone to sit and keep his mind off of the things over a drink, Dante didn't mind doing so. ☬

---

"Common Speech"
"Silandris Speech"
"Self-Thoughts"

[Nnerka]

To be honest, Nnerka was beginning to think perhaps her primary source of income was losing its luster. There was still something fun in the hunt that was presented: the luring of customers into her web when they didn’t actively seek her out. No different from a hunt for food, really. But tainted instead with bodily fluids and the clink of coin that she wouldn’t have had need for years ago. A brow rose as she tried to remember why she’d entertained such a request as coming down to the High Hopes for this one customer. Their stories, as the same for many, were uninteresting to the large fae who only barely listened. Just enough to feign interest, but then — the small man wasn’t really telling these stories to her. Moreso to the table full of people who had come to gawk at her as she sat, two legs crossed as her lower arms rested on the table. The upper folded boredly under her chest.

That all, however, went the window as her eyes tracked none other than Rickter through the people. The fae had heard, through the grapevine, of his sentence. How interesting that he would linger in the city. A shift of her weight, felt by the table and those around it. There was a momentary pause in the captive audience and storyteller as they anticipated her next move. Two eyes trained on the man, brows raising to urge him to continue his tales. Probably false; something about heroics at the wedding reception that had gone to shit.

But it really only took Nnerka another moment of thought before she moved to leave the table and approach the rathari. The man sputtered out something in protest, interrupting his own story, only to be silenced by a generous touch and assurance of a return. By the time she had arrived at Rickter’s table, grin wide enough to show most of her teeth, there were others gathered around him. Faces the fae did not know, and didn’t really care to know.

“If it isn’t my favorite wolfman.” Cheerful in a way that might not have fit the large spide fae to those that didn’t know her. But her voice was kept low enough for just the table, which groaned as she leaned against it. “Here I was thinking I wouldn’t even get to say goodbye.” A delighted giggle, a tip of her head as several eyes glanced at the others present. Then, turning her full attention to him, her eyes narrowed as she offered up: “How’s the family?”

[Rickter]

Patrick watched interestedly as Rickter pretty much just sat quiet the whole time, barely even sipping into the contents of his whiskey as the one named Dante went on. The Atinoran knew the wolf had dug his own hole with asking that question, and yet, he never expected somebody who was supposedly friendly with the wolf to be so... brutal with their honesty. But the wolf listened. Eclipse? Explosions? What the FUCK happened while he was out? He had only left on the expedition to save others and somehow, all that happened during his absence because of an unexpected setback. Right away the pit of his stomach sank and Rickter found it hard to breathe regularly, his lungs bound by a constrictive feeling that stemmed from the depths of his aching heart.

For a moment his hearing went out, giving way to sharp ringing that momentarily overpowered Dante's candor. Someone with bounties on their heads from the wedding, people that the wolf should've been able to recall... if those parts of his memories weren't compromised as well. At the moment his mind raced to make sense out of everything, to comprehend where he himself had gone wrong in this godawful reality he'd awoken to. The wolf's face went pale when he heard of the involvement of the Shokoze's death, as well as the alleged assault that took place between them and Talon. What's more... the bastard telling him all this smirked. Smirked!

The hand clasped around his mug started to clench hard as he silently fought to breathe, his eyes lowered into his mug as he felt the anger well inside his core. That name. Dornkirk. He hadn't forgotten it! He knew it from the back of his mind somewhere, and last he checked Brenner was the man who he'd last seen before things went to shit that night in Zaichaer... He was the last one Rickter could remember actually seeing, come to think of it, as the memory of that warehouse could only vaguely play out in his mind after. He was the one responsible for this? And another? There was level of tact when it came to handling these situations, and for someone such as Dante, clearly he didn't care whether the truth stirred a reaction out of the wolf.

But it did.

As Patrick watched them Rickter's grip tightened harder on the mug, his mind ready to snap as he could literally feel all that rage ready to burst from his heart. Yet it didn't. Instead, the mug itself began to permeate with ice, from beneath his grip all across the container itself. Even the whiskey inside it started to bear frost crystals along the edges of the drink, the cold metal of the container nearly ringing out from the sudden drop in temperature. Right away, he placed the mug back down, quick to avert his gaze as he looked for a means of escape. That's when her voice filled the room. Nnerka. The Spider Fae had a cheery air about her, something the wolf wouldn't normally expect, but clearly didn't have the time to appreciate either.

When she asked about the family, he about damn near clenched his jaw in turn. As he did the temperature in their corner of the inn drastically dropped in temperature, the warmth of the hearth tested by a sudden draft of cold that radiated from the wolf's own chair. "...I need to piss." Was all he had the courage to say, before he rose from his chair and walked straight toward the bathroom door. It was the one place he probably shouldn't have gone to, yet also, the one place he needed to hide in before he wound up causing a scene. Thus, Patrick gave him a wide-eyed look as the wolf didn't think twice, much less look back, in leaving behind the folded parchment he'd written on the table earlier.

There was the click of the door when he went inside the bathroom alone, as the Atinoran scooted closer to inspect the ice-cold mug a bit more closely. Even the exposure of a couple of seconds made touching the mug unbearable, the bartender loosely shaking the chill from his hand as he leaned back into his chair. "Ancestors fylgjagð mik hí." He remarked to himself before looking toward Dante and then Nnerka, who's figure quickly caught his attention when he resumed sipping on his own whiskey bottle. "So, you two know Umber then huh? Does he really go by Wolfman?" He inquired of the two, since they clearly seemed to know a great deal about him.

---

After finding himself alone within the confines of the large bathroom walls, Rickter approached the sink and gripped its outer edges hard. The facade he'd put on while coming here had completely dropped, and soon after, rivulets ran from the corners of his eyes as he focused on breathing. His heart ached again and while he knew why, that still didn't keep him from being able to keep it under control; not while the scar was still fresh across his own soul.

Thus the tears streamed down his cheeks as he looked hard at the base of the mirror, seeing the lower shirt and jacket of a man he didn't want to see. Seeing someone he didn't want to acknowledge because if he did, he would most certainly lash out and break that mirror upon seeing him. You're so weak... He damned himself for it too. You're fucking so weak... The grip on the sink tightened as he screwed his eyes shut, the wolf then ground his teeth as he felt the waves just roll through him. Anger. Sorrow. They were two sides of the same coin for him now, and while it was easy to blame himself for all the failures he'd suffered...

He would not overlook the ones responsible for this either.

Damn them! Frost started to cover the corners of the sink, the reservoir creaking from the chill that crept through it's structure. Damn them all! His eyes lifted finally to gaze into the icy blue hues that glimmered to him in the glow of the lanterns, his breath deepening as he started to think more about the ones that had done this. The ones responsible for creating this entire ordeal. Dornkirk... The Shadow mage... and... whoever was the one responsible for terrorizing Talon last Frost, whoever divided his attention so much, that not even Rickter was aware of a possible third party being involved...

Did He ever even find out who was responsible for the avalanche? There was a grinding felt between his teeth now, as the wolf thought of everything that he wanted. He thought of the promise he had made to Telion earlier last Frost, and how that promise was going to lead to a better future between them. He remembered wanting to ask Talon the question too, for whatever reason at the time, yet all that and it now amounted to absolutely nothing. What the fuck did he wait for? Bitter toward himself still, the wolf hung his head to just let the emotion flow out of him, the pain in his heart all but bearable as he silently weathered the storm within.

"Common" "Synskrit" "Norvaegan"
"Rickter" "Telion" "Hannah" "Patrick"

[Baudric]

.

.

Was this Dante really a friend of Rickter's? The use of words and tone, began to make him changed his initial thought of him. Reminding him more of the cocky Legion back in the Hall of Glory. Boys starved from affection turning to condescending demeanor all because friends were not allowed. Families were not allowed. The Bond was not allowed. Was Dante a similar case that tact was not reachable or was he being entirely genuine in his pleased idea of reward over justice?

He admitted to not being there, so why did he speak with such confidence of opinion? Baudric was there. He mind felt the outrage for Rickter, wanted to stand up and remove this man, but he didn't have the right to. He didn't know what sort of relationship the two had. Only saw it for face value now and took offence to it. He took a heavy swing from his cup downing nearly half the pint as another new person arrived. Baudric was not very much out numbered in this room with tension over politcal affairs. Her words sounded like they were coming from a place of concern but her tone did not match it. Something about her right now permeated the air with danger.
"Pardon I need to get another drink."

Quickly he down the rest before getting up from the table as he moved to the bar. As they went to pour his drink he watched the group. He wanted to tell Rickter. Needed to tell Rickter that he wasn't alone. His mind debated over telling him everything that was now forming. But even he didn't have all the details for what was coming now. Just then Rickter stood and left the table for the bathroom. Without hesitation or further thought, he followed.

Cautiously he entered the men's room to look at the Wolf. Baudric wanted to shield him. Protect him and settle his nerves like he used to with the boys of the barracks before his Trial. He didn't move from the doorway. Instead he leaned on the door with his mass and paused searching himself as to what he should say. His heart raced and he worried that he was about to destroy what ever respect the two shared.
"Rickter. I was there. I saw it all. I had been standing with Lord-.. Kaus and Kala. Aoren had personally invited me to the wedding. I felt so out of place. But I felt like I needed to be there too. Talon and Aoren had just split off from receiving blessings from the guests. Joining his lordship in a toast. That's when it happened. Maloretsiev, a large faction of sky pirates that run territory on the boarders of the Imperium and the North. They are particularly known for, getting in and out, they plan as many contingencies as they possibly can. Taking their time to do so. They attacked with canisters of aether eating gas. Magic was of use to no one in the fray. Taking advantage of the chaos they dropped in from their ships and assaulted everyone."

He paused a moment his wings dropping slightly as the vestigial ones began to lightly rub at his hips and sides.
"They fought. We all fought to the best of our capabilites. But then there was a blast from a firearm. Talon's father fell. Then.."

Baudric lowered his high collar to show the slave collar to emphasized what he was about to say.
"They took Aoren. Talon did what Talon does. And then they were all retreating. Everyone known or thought to be in league with any Zaichaeri was taken into custody for questioning. Including me. I told them I had no involvement in the matter. The Queen herself wanted to question me. But I had no answers for them. From what I gather of the information in the abductor's escape. They had managed to use the teleports. People suspect Zaichaer, but all the markers point.. to the Imperium."

He then stood up and looked to the wolf. Hoping his words and their meanings would reach him.
"I am returning to the Imperium. If they are there. The shame that weighs on me for the misguided machinations I will not stand for. You have my word. I Baudric Von Uberfallenlicht, vow that one way or another I will aid in seeing this wrong addressed and justice will be brought."

"Mein Licht, vertreibe die Dunkelheit, befreie meine Seele. Fliegen Sie in der Luft des Zufalls."

Baudric Von Uberfallenlicht

Baudric KathalanCasting