#( answered ︰raelyeria / the fallen angel )

[storiesbuilt]

@yearszero sent: did you really think it would be that easy ?

There is a moment of hesitation, she is smart in the ways of tactical thinking, war as it had been her whole life but things like this she often did not think past the hopeful parts. Perhaps that was the foolish part of this. To attempt to strike ANOTHER deal, the first not working but her ideas were not truly even that of an alliance.

To be honest, she simply sought to speak with the one before her more. There was something that she found herself pulled to as they had spoken to one another previously and while they had seen and spoken in passing not to the degree she had written to him of.

 ❝I am nothing if not hope incarnate, at least that is what my father has always told me.❞

A small smile as her feet carried her across the abandoned temple. A middle ground, one not of her fathers but not of her enemy either. The gods, the devil they were all so fickle in not aiding one another but also always had someone with a middle ground for those around them. A complex way to navigate the whole issue of this war but, at least it brought her him, honor.

 ❝I will say, you did show up which does show that at least a bit of my hope was right. It was easy enough to get you to come and see me again.❞

A moment her hand lifts, a show of her at least trying not to have a full on fight. Hidden weapon dropped upon the floor and her hands lifted before she takes a moment to gather her own thoughts on why she even thought to call him here. It was all a rouse but now that it actually worked she had no idea what to talk about.

 ❝Although I will admit, I am surprised you did come to meet me. I had not thought this far ahead to be frank, although I will admit, it is good to see you again. Despite our circumstances, of course.❞

[storiesbuilt]

@yearszero sent: are you scared ?

Hair down, not often seen by anyone and yet in this place, this garden the only place that reminds her of her mother and for a long time somewhere she thought hidden but, she should know better. Battles fought, lives lost at her beck and call, per her father of course but, she should have known eventually her hiding spot would be found.

Even still, it was the closest she felt to a part of herself she knew nothing about. The vague memories of her mother even the slightest bit clearer and even with a voice behind her, one that she knew meant to do her harm she felt at peace here. Perhaps that was what being human was, understanding that doors close that the thread of life would eventually halt and not letting it be something to fear.

 ❝Strangely, no, I don't think I am. But perhaps that is something blessed to me by my mother rather than my father.❞

Her gaze had been drawn at her hands, gaze tracing over the golden scars the protruded from the many arrows, blades and spikes that had punctured through her skin. And the memories of hardship, training and victory or sadness and yet here it was nothing but stillness. Perhaps that was why she liked this garden, this hidden away place in this realm because it was an escape from so many highs and lows that were constantly fluctuating.

She could simply breathe, simply exist here.

 ❝If you were to kill me here I think it would bring me the most joy. Although by my count this is three times we have met and despite our odds we remain speaking rather than to hurt one another. Despite our orders, despite what we have been told.❞

She moves, hands plucking some of the pale purple flowers around her and then some of the pink ones. Delicate fingers spun them before she holds out the small collection for him to take. An olive branch of sorts, her own way to show how she feels. Although, admittedly, she is

 ❝I think that fear around you is irrational, despite what you are and despite what I am. I know I am not smart but my tutor always told me I was wise, and I think you and I both share something that has kept us from hurting each other in this war.❞

After a moment she looks down to her own hands the blood it had bore from this war. The callous of a childhood spent fighting and the exhaustion from never getting a true break. Something about it was truly killing her inside and it was not until these moments that she felt the weight of all the obligations she felt toward her father.

 ❝I think we're both exhausted.❞

[storiesbuilt]

@dekahrios sent: “you're welcome tomorrow night, and the night after.”

Her head lifted from the small, simple book they had found. It was most likely for someone far younger but it was helping she was reading faster now. The moments like this, the calm she never felt before had become her favorite time aside from all of her time with him.

It was as if she lived in the serenity of the clouds of her home without the war. It held so much peace and the love she wanted, it had been a pure time of all the things she wanted. A gentle tilt of her head as he spoke pointing her finger on the last word she read before looking up.

The blossoming flower in her chest of feelings, love, she had only felt once before but this time it was different. It had started softer and developed in a way she had not even noticed until she simply looked at him in her head knew, she was absolutely enamored with this man.

Despite this however, there was a shyness to admit it now, it still felt early. The grove still so close, Halsin yet to join as they are just about to start their entrance to the place of darkness. But, she hoped at least in this time he could feel it in her gaze. The way she watched each and every moment of him casting magic or explaining what it meant to be a wizard, how he explained common to her as a readable language not just a spoken one, and how she smiled and watched as he laughed and put on his minor theatrics as they spoke. Each gaze varied in a small degree but carried that love, the adoration that was growing with each passing day.

 ❝A welcome I hope to never wear out. My time with you is often the time I treasure the most on this adventure. I hope you know that.❞

Book closed after a moment moving to sit beside him her hand lifted if only for a moment before it fell to her side again the other gently placing the book on the ground beside her. This was far more difficult to navigate than any war. For what it meant to be alive was to feel but to feel also risked having those feelings hurt. That was what scared her the most, it had happened one time before, and smaller spats between a child and father or a leader and her team but never like this. And the fear of rejection or losing him because she took a leap too soon was far far heavier than the leap itself.

But, she could not help the curious nature of her questions, of knowing more about who Gale was. So much of her life was spent invading and hurting that these times to hear what it was like to live peaceful, it brought her great joy. More importantly it made her rethink her life. Plus, if she asked the worst she could find out was he was already in love with another. And she had shelved her feelings before, it would be easy to do a second time.

And as she speaks, she rambles a bad habit from her childhood, the one and only thing her father seemed to hate. The one thing he seemed to also apparently dislike about her mother when she was alive as well, hopefully it was not an issue here.

 ❝I have many other questions about Waterdeep and you. So hopefully, they do not pry too much. That being said, the other day Shadowheart was asking Astarion of any loves back in Baldur's Gate. Do you have any waiting for you in Waterdeep? I have realized you have a complicated relationship with Mystra as well so please feel no obligation to answer me.❞

[storiesbuilt]

@dekahrios sent: “your beauty is a gift to us.”

Her gaze as she stands on the balcony of the city is almost fervent to take in every detail. It was much larger than she had thought. But, perhaps that was her own fault for underestimating what people of this realm were capable of. Her father would simply think and build whatever it was he wanted into reality but here, they built it with heart and soul. She could see it, she could feel it even in the stone underneath her hand, even in the metal of her right arm.

Lost in her own thoughts of how beautiful this place was and how despite these circumstances how grateful she was to be part of the journey. It would be divine to die in a place like Faerun, to save the others.

And just as that thought, the self sacrificing habits built into her after a millennia being used as a weapon she hears his voice and it brings her back. A sole reason to keep her feet buried in the dirt of Baldur's Gate and hopefully one day, Waterdeep.

It takes a moment for his words to process as she turns to face him. Yet to truly get ready for the day and in this moment she simply melts. He had shown her so much of what made this world beautiful. What made it worth existing and fighting for and yet he stood before her daring to say she was a beautiful gift. A wonder with words and magic alike but a fool to not see she could not compare to him or this realm.

But, there is a warmth and truth to his words she could never give up and instead of wanting to point out the differences. She wants to enjoy this their time because at the end of this road no matter where they ended up she just wanted to know every second spared was his.

Her life blended together like that of an oil painting done by a child, so long that nothing held weight in her memories. Her mother was so faded she only remembered the sensory details and even now, she had lost part of that with her arm. But with Gale, every moment lived in her head, nothing like it before. New things to learn, new ways to understand and more importantly the mutual feeling of unconditional adoration.

This was something she had never felt before. And would gladly go toe to toe with their foe holding onto it as a rope to win this fight. To live with him at the end and be happy.

 ❝I do believe that it is your beauty and knowledge that are the true gifts. But, I should not turn down such a kind compliment. So your kindness and honesty are as always, held close to my heart.❞

[storiesbuilt]

there's too much blood , i can't stop it . / hel @ rae

Mace lowered in hand, specks of her own blood mixed with the blood of those they fought against, hair disheveled as her head snapped to Hel. She had used everything her father had given her during the fight to keep them all up, to keep herself standing in one piece as blood tickled from a wound on her head.

Her gaze bounced between the ally on the ground and Hel before nodding. It is a quick drop of her weapon and shed of her armor before dropping to her knees. Hands held out quickly to take a knife from the other, the moment it is in her possession her palm opened. The sharp blade ran across it as she glanced toward her friend carefully.

 ❝You mustn't tell anyone of what I am about to do. It could be detrimental to me.❞

It is a plea but also a sort of desperation within her voice. The loss of Ellias before she had won her final battle, just a few months prior to being outcast weighed heavy as she looked at her friend. Despite what damage this would do to her, it would be worth it to keep Hel ok. To keep the whole party together and alive to solve this parasite issue. It would bring her father joy to see how she used her abilities, her heritage. If only she knew what were to come.

The moment flesh was met with the blade and sliced open. Golden liquid filled her palm before she raised it and dripped it along the wound. It took a moment, time but it slowly started to heal as her hand moved along slowly.

Each moment her blood dripped from her body restoring the health and well-being of her friend her face grew like that of a ghost. Dark circles underneath her eyes, jaw and cheeks hallowed only the slightest and the moment it looked as if the injury was finally sealed completely her hand lowered. A moment before finding a mostly clean cloth among the damage from the fight and wrapping it around her hand.

 ❝Do you feel better? I do not recall a time that has never not worked. I believe that is how you say it. It is a last resort, at least it was in the war. I hope-- it should work. You should not feel pain, nor bleed any longer.❞

[storiesbuilt]

you've been so kind to me , rae. / hel

Kindness, it exuded from her body despite the minor lapse a few days ago at the temple. Thankful for Hel & Gale being there to help her during that. Despite it, despite having initially removed the braids from her hair she felt the warmth, support from the party and it moved her. A reset, and it was thanks to their kindness as well.

But, given what she had learned about Hel and Faerun in her time here it was clear most people, if any may not be the kindest to people similar to her. That being said, to bared no weight to Raelyeria, if she learned anything it was anyone and everyone could carry light and goodness in their hearts.

 ❝Of course, it is what you would do for me had we met differently. And it is to help with this parasite. Not to mention you are kind, brave and daring. You help and inspire me in ways that are motivational.❞

A smile erupts on her features as her hand lifts, the delicate golden scars glimmering lightly against the fire light as she placed it upon Hel's shoulder. For a moment she sat there before enveloping the other in a tight hug, without her things would have spiraled more at the temple or in general. Despite this they had found balance between one another, provided proper scales.

It was nice. Pleasant. The world here was not complete darkness she needed to be a light in and it also was not dark enough to allow someone like Hel to be consumed by it completely. And in this, they found a strong friendship Raelyeria treasured.

 ❝That aside, without your help and willingness to wonder with me. I may not have ever found out the truth of my father, and of who I was in blindness. That deserves more kindness than I could ever repay.❞