#studentalthea

[theportaraceli]

who? @studentalthea where? Aventia, near the evacuation lines when? A few minutes before the memories hit, because I love drama

A day after the odd exchange with the merchant, it haunted her still. Araceli knew not the reason, whether because she knew the little fox toy was infinitely important but remembered not why, or due to the inherent oddness of the whole exchange. She doesn’t understand why, but there is something missing. A whole on her chest, empty darkness where something else once stood. The thought lingers at the edge of her mind through the evacuation, worry heavy on her brow as she continues her tasks and pretends everything is alright as to not to alarm her people. 

She manages just fine, until she meets Althea’s eyes across the crowd and sees the doubt clear on them. It’s no surprise the Emissary notices, not when their entire relationship was born while they were both wearing masks. Long had they grown from that, but that doesn’t change the fact that they knew each other’s masks, and when they were wearing them. 

With a sigh, she steps away from the crowd and deeper into the crumbling streets of her once home. The sight sends off another pang of loss through her, the reality of her rotting home ever present and sharing space with her worry about her deal. 

“There is no going back, is there?” She asks quietly, as she hears Althea step closer, eyes flickering to meet hers with a bitter smile on her lips.

[ageofkarme]

Create his own? The thought had never crossed Karme's mind. His doing so would either be seen as a major insult or a non-event. Probably the latter since the ladies of his house regularly reminded him of his place beneath them. "Still, they were certainly displeased when he began his education "I'll think about it. Lady Juliana doesn't expect anything from me. She didn't seem to notice when I stopped visiting Genovia. Even so, they're my family and I want to make them proud."

Though, after talking to Althea, Karme began to wonder for the first time if worrying too much about his grandmother was keeping him down. His mother crumbled under the pressure and his father never stood a chance. Maybe, if he let go and used his mind freely, he'd actually achieve something in Lysara. After all, Althea's dreams weren't limited because she only worried about making herself proud, and she was amazing. "No no, I wouldn't want to trouble you. I think I should walk alone anyway. I get my best thinking done by myself," he said, knowing he had much to think about. Plus, looking at Althea's companions made Karme feel like he was peering into some bizarre mirror. Could he possibly be a kindred spirit to a goblin and a golem? "As always, I'm the one benefiting greatly from you bumping into me where all I've done is grease your clothes."

"Perhaps create your own then, it's something to consider. It won't do for you to continue to produce works without an insignia, otherwise anyone might take the credit that should be properly paid to you." Riding the coattails of the Golden Flower came with its benefits, but in Karme's case, they were something of a curse instead. Althea understood the struggle of building a life from nothing, a name consecrated from the dirt she'd been born in. Secrets, power, and leverage -that was her path to ascension. Karme had none of these but he did have... Something.

After this Althea would be sure to scour her skin to the very bone, but for now she settled for passing her hand over where he touched her to lift the grime that he'd deposited on her, flicking it into the dirt beside them. "A rising star if ever there was," Althea was sure to give his unnaturally wiry arm a bit of a squeeze before she looked from his paperwork to her own destination: Mercury's Bazaar. "this is as far as I go, will you manage the rest of the way on your own? I can have one of my companions join you if needed." Althea gestured to the earth elemental that had been lumbering behind him, beside the creature was a goblin toting many, many bags.

[shewolfaurea]

The Trouble with Wolves

Smiling, she offers a soft chuckle despite the fact that she is definitely still crying. Tipping her head back, she howls once more but the song is different this time. It is celebration but it is also a promise. The Feronia pack is still standing and so is she, so are her friends. The howl that echoes throughout the stone temple is a promise that they won't go down without a fight. @steadythora, @zelihatheflight, @studentalthea, @emissaradia, @freydis-freydat

[emissaradia]

closed starter for @studentalthea location: haven note: *cough* i trusted a twink brother eugh

That box had been nothing short of horrible for all parties involved. Aradia had tried to put on a brave face. She'd tried to move through it without second-guessing herself. She'd tried to be the best version of herself that she could be. And all it did in return was show her that she had never made an error a day in her life. Everything she had ever done had been given reason. There were devils that reared their ugly heads in the shape of a friend every day. And for what? To teach a lesson? Well, she thought that lesson sucked. Maybe she shouldn't have trusted someone she barely knew. Devils were awfully convincing though. They crept in when one least expected it and she had never thought she would be the kind of person to fall into such a trap. She'd been kind. She'd been...for fucking what? Everything that had been on the table crashed to the floor as her hands swept across it. And then she soon followed.

Aradia wasn't sure how much time had passed since, but when she awoke, it was with a scream. As if her nightmares hadn't already been a permanent mainstay, they were now increased tenfold. Maybe she would be better off being some demon's vessel. The door opened and she tried to scramble towards it to keep it closed. "Don't come in!" If it was her sister, she probably wouldn't listen. Maybe it was the unknown assistant though. He wouldn't be able to speak a word. Aradia had been holed up in here long enough though. She had to find a way to fix this. She couldn't let this control her. "I won't let you beat me," she muttered under her breath as she tried to lift herself up off of the floor.

[vicoya]

when: the day after Vicoya arrives in Aventia; week 2 of the siege with: @studentalthea where: wherever the legion is camped out within the city notes: surprise starter for u jestie

Much had transpired, apparently, while Coya had been away from the fray. The Legion had three new recruits amongst their ranks, and had lost six other poor souls to the Joining. She only recognized Thora, from when they'd faced down the Aetherians long ago. At least it felt like ages had passed, with all that had happened since. Coya was eager to meet the other new recruits - a pair of sisters, she'd heard, and witches, at that.

They'd had little time to rest since the bombardments began, and thus she'd had trouble tracking them down given how thin their forces had been spread. She managed to find Althea's tent after asking around, and cleared her throat as she knocked on the cloth of the tent's entrance. Unsurprisingly, it didn't make a sound - she decided to announce her presence. "Althea? Apologies to bother you while you're resting, but I had a welcoming gift for you, of sorts." In her hands, she held a whisper stone, the only one she'd yet to distribute. She'd have to get Thora and Aradia a pair whenever she was in Eterna next, though she didn't anticipate that would be any time soon.

[steadythora]

"Let's just say they've given more reasons to mistrust them than anything. At least to me. When you and your sister made your decision, my choice was clear." Thora's skills allowed her to touch the source of other's magic. Althea was a force of nature the likes of which Thora had never encountered in Iskaldrik. She'd more than earned Thora's respect and admiration on their mission, but that had nothing to do with why the blademaster had gone this far.

"Yeah, you're yourself alright. Forgive me if I keep staring, but strength suits you well," she says with a slight chuckle before looking away as she draws her sword. It felt the same as before to wave it around, which meant she was good for a fight. "I'll have to learn how to master this new energy later, but for now I feel good. I never want to taste something so disgusting again, but my body and mind still feel like mine. Which is good."

Thora wouldn't get too deep into her feelings about the Legion with Althea. The witch was capable of coming up with her own opinions, however that wouldn't detract from the sense of purpose that rushed through Thora's body the same as the blight she held within. "I'd have looked like a real fool if I woke up mad after being here for you and your sister," she shares as a halfhearted joke, but really she means it. Thora was moved by them, and as vicious as they were the Legion was filled with people who'd use them to death as far as the blademaster was concerned. "I was already beginning to feel like a pro at cutting down darkspawn. Now, I'm more equipped to face down ... other dangers that we'll face as Legionnaires too. Not that you need my sword."

Althea raised an eyebrow at Thora, her lips curving into a smirk. "They're assholes now? Refreshing," she remarked, her voice cool and collected. She took a moment to assess Thora, her gaze sweeping over the other woman with a critical eye. She could see the subtle changes in her, the slight tensing of her muscles, the newfound wariness in her stance. It was a mirror of her own transmutation, a physical manifestation of the power - and danger - that now coursed through them.

She could feel it, that power, like a dark tide surging within her. It was a rush, a heady mix of exhilaration and danger that bubbled upon the fringe of her being. She was in control, her will an iron vice that held the Blight at bay. She looked out at the other legionnaires, their forms seeming sharper, more vivid, as if her very senses had been heightened. She could feel their power, their strength, a symphony of darkness that hummed in the air around them. - a chorus of the damned.

Turning back to Thora, she nodded approvingly. "I assure you, my dear, I am quite myself," she said, her voice a low purr, a dangerous edge lurking just beneath the surface. "You seem to have weathered the storm quite well yourself. How do you feel?" Thora had proven herself to have some rudimentary ability in the Lostlands, Althea had assumed that the elvhen wouldn't survive, but the Iskaran had clearly earned that marked blade for a reason. What she needed was instruction in the sort of arts that she'd never been schooled in - blades were such primitive tools, after all.

[hiddenvaldis]

“It is a common saying that women are delicate creatures, flowers, eggs, anything that may be crushed in a moment's carelessness. If I had ever believed it, I no longer did.”

@studentalthea

[adrianvoll]

starter for @studentalthea.

where: has to be in thee tower

when: like a good 3 weeks into his novice status

note: bully me thank yew

Piles of books sat before him, towering above the table really, as one sat cracked open with Adrian pouring through the pages. Often, he trained and studied secluded off in a quieter place of the Tower; back home, within the forge, Adrian spent hours upon days in solitary, he still hadn't gotten used to the large amass of people that frequented even the Tower. Outsiders seeking knowledge, various levels of Accepted witches, the five other novices who'd completed their audition the same time as he. The witch was capable, he'd shown them a spark of magic they could respect and appreciate, but he still had ways to go to hone the skills to their liking, to a precedent Adrian was still attempting to configure.

When one sat across from him, it took a moment to break his concentration, his fingertips following patterns described in the book but not outright navigating them with magic. He'd come to that when he was ready, but his eyes flickered upwards to address the other.

"Is it this demanding for any other?" It provoked the idea of prejudice against any latent Iskaran witch who'd attempted to prove themselves; but Adrian knew he was capable, he was just trash at making conversation. "And it weird to say I'm happy with said requirements?" He'd always favored a challenge, when crafting armor and weapons became routine, he'd become listless in his work, and it showed; a talent that was left to rust under boredom.

[shewolfaurea]

Person: @studentalthea Location: The Queen's Boudoir It's something she's sometimes wondered is uncommon, going over her daily schedule in her actual bedroom with Althea. Too personal perhaps, and yet it's not like Aurea thinks of herself as some conventional queen. It's something she thinks about as she sits at her vanity, looks at her own face in the mirror whose edges are wrapped in gnarled wood. A year of being Alpha, of being queen, and there's still these tiny moments that doubt creeps into her head. Would Ulric have opened Haven for the Iskaran's? She highly doubts it as she attempts to run a brush through her unruly hair. "Did you ever think you'd end up here?" Her eyes meet the woman's who is no doubt scoffing at the daily itinerary on the chaise behind her.

[shewolfaurea]

The Trouble with Wolves: Aftermath Mentions of @emissaradia, @studentalthea @freydis-freydat @zelihatheflight @steadythora

There really isn't a moment to herself after all is said and done, no time for all of the things she is feeling. Not until it's the end of the day and she's back in her quarters and taking her crown off of her head with shaking hands.

Althea sitting there in the middle of the room in chains, her hair untamed around her, what sounded like hundreds of voices echoing around the chamber. When she closes her eyes, even briefly, Aurea sees it, feels the fear and desperation that she and Aradia had shared. There had been no time for helplessness then, but it's there now as she sees herself in her vanity mirror. Not a queen, but a girl who had almost lost so many people important to her in a fell swoop. They were strong, the lot of them, but in that moment as they all scrambled to discern voices, there'd been one in her head feeling helpless, begging her to help them. She was their queen, why couldn't she help them? A single tear falls from her eye and she sniffles and shakes her head at herself. "It's not real." She said with confidence to the crying girl. "It's not true." Just as she'd told Althea, as she'd told all of them. That was the point of it all, that doubt would freeze them in place and get one of them killed. Taking a breath she looks down at her hands and despite the weariness and fatigue she feels right down to her bones, there's something else. To let loose a howl after everything was said and done, energized with the light of the moon. She closes her eyes and instead of seeing Althea in pain and the desperation on the face of her friends, she pictures the pool. A large round pool in the middle of the room that the moon shining from above illuminated, filling it completely. Stepping into it had been like slipping into the moon itself. It'd swallowed her up, regalia and all, and there's this twitching at her fingers that she only ever feels when she shifts. Opening her eyes and looking down, claws are extended where perpetually unmanicured nails once were. Control over your shifts. That's what she'd been promised. Flexing her fingers, the claws don't go away but she feels she can will them back. They're a reminder that the whole encounter had been real, that she's stronger now, they all were. And it would be easy to crumple and think about being banished as Thora and Aradia and Althea fought to jump into that pool and take the Blight into themselves. It is something she wants to do, the frustration is still there under her skin. The idea of losing anyone on a quest, especially those that had volunteered of their own free will with no ties to Haven, it terrified her. Freydis, Thora, and Zeliha had no reason to put themselves on the line and yet they had. Althea and Aradia had stood valiantly at her side as they always did and when it had come down to it, they'd protected her. She had to protect them now. Aurea had to make sure that those that had come to Haven seeking refuge wouldn't lose another home. Going to Aventia was what she wanted to do, what she felt she should, but she would remain to strengthen her borders, train up her wolves. This new control, she'd use it to defend home and everyone she loved. So all that went off to aid Aventia had something to come home to. So they knew that such a place wasn't just Haven or the Wildlands. That they had a home in the heart of their queen and alpha. Closing her eyes again, Aurea pictures the women around her joining in on her howl.

[shewolfaurea]

Person: @studentalthea Location: Thee Woods, Haven There had hardly been any time to process what had happened, they'd gotten back to Haven and Aurea had thrown herself into figuring out what new power she held. From there it was teaching the other wolves how to use teeth and claws without the full moon. Borders needed to be strengthened, the wall reinforced, squadrons sent back along the paths coming to and from Haven. A spell on an object that would confuse those who encountered it, she had several of them in a bag and where Althea pointed, she'd take one out and bury it into the earth, hide it up a tree, wherever Althea thought best. All of this planning, they hadn't actually had a moment to talk since what she was mentally referring to as "the moon incident". Which was probably for the best because the moment Aurea had a moment to herself she'd sat down in the middle of her bed and sobbed out of frustration and relief. "Where's this one going?" Taking another little jar from the bag over her shoulder, she looks to the witch scoping out the area.

[emissaradia]

closed starter for @studentalthea location: haven note: seestra

When they had been dealing with their wolf problem, it felt like so much was going on at once. Aradia and Althea were two very different people. As much as people would say that the former was the strong one, she always knew one thing to be true. Althea was always her better. People always saw her sister as someone who was just a mean girl. That was only on the surface though. Aradia had grown up with her though. She had been there through every battle they could have suffered. The two of them could have been closer, but maybe that was because of how different they were. She could claim to see her sister all she wanted. Yet, when it came down to it, when it was really needed, she was quiet. Aradia had always been the type to try and be the big sister. That was just who she was. But how could she do that for Althea? It felt like she couldn’t ever find the right words to say or how to comfort the woman that felt like she didn’t need comfort. Maybe she should’ve tried more. Even if it was met with resistance.

Anyway, that was what brought her here. That was what brought her to busting into her sister’s room and shutting the door behind her. “We need to talk.” She sat down at the table and waved a hand towards the chair across from her. “Come on.”

[emissaradia]

TASK 1. CHILDHOOD

It was just a ripped skirt.

Not to her though. Not to Althea. Aradia knew that already even at their young age. She had simply been carrying buckets of water up to their home while her sister did whatever she did in her spare time. She pretended that she didn't know, but the truth was that she was always keeping an eye out for her sister. She was always going to make sure that her sister was okay. When their father was gone and they only had each other, Aradia would be there.

It was just a ripped skirt though.

Maybe to Aradia. For someone like her, she didn't care about something like that. She dressed in those clothes that her father always put them in. What most would consider 'boy's' clothes. Althea hated it. Aradia didn't mind it.

It was just a damn ripped skirt.

But Althea had spent so much time on it. She had put all of her hard work into that because she felt like she wasn't good enough at other things. Aradia always thought the world of her sister though. She had never looked down upon her. And she never would.

It was a ripped skirt.

Aradia picked up her crying sister and carried her back to their home. The skirt unraveled just a little bit more as they walked, but she tried her best to make sure it could be fixed when they got home. "It's okay," she had whispered. "Everything will be fine." They wouldn't unravel. They were sisters. Nothing would ever be more important than that.

Even that ripped skirt.

@studentalthea

[emissaradia]

closed starter for @studentalthea location: haven note: oi miss u me sistah

If there was anything to say about the two sisters, it was that they were vastly different people. Raised by the same father and still they had ended up with interests that most certainly did not align with each other. Aradia could remember her sister sewing skirts and tending to little woodland creatures when they were younger. She herself had been carrying buckets back and forth to make sure that they were well stocked. She was the strong one. Althea was...well, she was sure that her sister would always say that she was the pretty one. Better in every way. She had that kind of personality that took some getting used to. Aradia didn't need to get used to her sister though. The two were damn near attached at the hip even though they never truly admitted it. Or maybe Althea was more attached to that damn goblin.

Speaking of said goblin, Aradia was currently staring at the guy as she waited for her sister to grace her with her presence. Who even knew what that woman was up to half the time. She squinted at the goblin and leaned forward slightly. "What was your name again?"

[ageofkarme]

Karme didn't know how the other noble houses conducted themselves, but he was sure most people would be surprised to find out just how little sway he had within his own. Sure he was an Olympian, but he went to the Tower without Lady Juliana's permission. He was a disappointment and a source of shame. The ladies of his house only expected him to stay out of the way.

"I haven't earned that right yet. I mean I wear the flower sure, but if I were to brand any of my creations with it and anyone found out? Boy, I'd be in a lot of trouble." Witches of his house were always born exceptional and became Apprentices swiftly. His mother didn't, and he didn't, so Karme for all his talents was leagues behind his aunts and cousins. "But thank you," he said meekly, fiddling with his fingers a bit. He was embarrassed to say, but Althea's belief that he could advance toward his goals felt good. No one ever thought he was capable, not when compared to the forge masters his house produced.

"Beautiful and super nice too. You don't even care that I'm on the bottom. You like me for me." Karme wasn't good at making friends, so good people like Althea were sent from the gods. He rubs one of his grimy hands over her to return the affection. "I'll always make time for you, anything you need. A dance to show you off, a tour of my shop, who knows maybe one day I'll enchant a tool for the Feronia, free of charge of course."

Every train and spark of innovation bore the sigil of Karme's house, it was hard to escape the Lady of Genovia's influence. Her sphere was expansive and while she hardly needed to play the Game, she was reputable and those around her vied for her favor. If Althea could transform... this raging outcast into something worthy of acceptance, then her star would shine all the brighter. "Stay the course, I'll help you where I can." For a moment Althea's eyes fixed on the golden flower minted on a passing train, "Would you still carry the insignia of your family, or will you make your own?"

"You forgot beautiful but that is hardly a prerequisite for the position." Althea laughed, Karme could lavish her with compliments all he wanted, but now that his face wasn't so abhorrent to look at it didn't make her skin crawl to hear him speak. Though now and then as they walked she did entertain the thought of watching him trip and fall flat on the ground. She smiled at the idea, listening still as Karme enthused about the dance and his shop.

Althea squeezed his arm affectionately, "I'd love nothing more than to see this shop of yours firsthand." The thought of dancing on a heap of garbage was absolutely repugnant, but Althea could wear trousers for the excursion. The things she would do to get ahead. "You'll have to save me a place on your dance card as well."

[ageofkarme]

These days, the golden flower sigil was stamped everywhere in Genovia. Only those who proved themselves had any right to work in the best sites. Weak links had no place in the forge, not with a war going on and the fact that Karme received no requests was indicative of his place within his house. He believed them, so the idea of becoming a Sitter never crossed his mind. "I'm very lucky. No one bothers me at my family's vacation place, plus sometimes Verna lets me do fun stuff with her in Vulcan's Vessel. I'm not greedy, so the queendom knowing my name, and only my name is the last piece I'm missing. Besides that, so long as there are parts to tinker with I couldn't imagine wanting more."

Karme's lot in life was not greatness. He couldn't imagine being like Althea, capable of sustaining such lofty ambitions. She had a fire in her he admired, one he could only hope to gaze at from afar. "Someone like you would make a great Sitter, smart and powerful enough to guard the secrets of Prosperina. I imagine you're exactly what they'd want." He really wasn't like her. Althea had established herself in Haven he'd heard, no easy feat for a witch. Since receiving Vulcan's stone, Karme hasn't had nearly as much impact on the queendom as her. "Yes, I'll be in attendance trying to not make a fool of myself! Lady Juliana already decided though she didn't tell me what the other ladies of our house will be doing..." Not that he was expecting to be in the know anyway. Her commanding him in person was certainly a shock. "...but you should come to Ioannina yourself if you're ever near the Isles. Sabinia Strand is always beautiful and you'll get to see everything I'm working on. There's a mountain of scrap metal that I stand on when I practice my dance moves."

"Then get your own," Althea advised, if the Lady would not permit him within her workshop, then he undoubtedly had something scrapped together for himself already. "Sweet boy, the world never gives us anything we want, certainly not what we deserve. Wanting is never enough." If it were, she'd have already climbed much higher, but there was no ceiling on her ambition. "Who knows, maybe we'll be sat beside one another someday. Karme, Sitter of Vulcan. It has a fair ring to it I think." Oh the shades the Lady of Genovia would turn.

"Exactly," Althea hummed, "people are no different: multi-faceted and useful, dressed in different fashions, painted in different shapes, or employed to separate purposes." It was his first lesson - she'd take him to buy a suit. "You'll be in attendance at the Winter Palace? I'll join you." In true fashion she left nothing to argument, he would be there and so would she, dressed to kill with a wit poised to save and build Karme's reputation. His family would never respect a boy, but they were only one voice, and even punitive genius could be curated toward greatness with the right branding. "You have any designs you can bring along, I would love to see them firsthand." A lie, but the boy's fragile ego needed to be bolstered somehow.