Landscape of Ascalon (Naomi)
From Toosigma
| Title | Landscape of Ascalon |
|---|---|
| Author | Philip Mann - Naomi |
| Campaign | Convergent Threads |
| Session | Landscape of Ascalon |
| Posted | |
| Game Date |
A day or so later, a Veril Navahn asked us to help him find some people who had gone missing over a period of time. The request seemed fairly simple, except that the people had gone missing at Morgrave University. I did not want to go, not there, but Hero seemed to think the job would be simple enough. I agreed in spite of my reservations. Maybe she had left as she said; maybe nobody would recognize me; maybe I have been afraid for nothing all of these months.
We went into the room where the academic had misplaced his people. He refused to enter with us and, instead, barred the door behind us. Hero and I searched the room on different sides but, when I could no longer hear him moving and he didn’t answer, I stopped searching for the others and tried to find him. Right where I thought he would be, I found a painting of a strange war scene…and suddenly I was falling…
I righted my body and avoided landing on Hero, but just barely. We found ourselves in a strange alien landscape, full of jagged rocks and outcroppings. We journeyed a short while along some footprints that Hero found, but we were soon set upon by a pair of huge bug-like creatures. They gave as good as they got, and I was unsure if the fight was going for or against us until we finally took the two of them down. I considered that, if fighting really big bugs was the worst of it, then I probably didn’t have to worry about anything or anyone from the University.
We walked a short while farther when someone stepped into our path. She wore a makeshift armor made from the bugs and introducing herself as Thea ir’Tain. When she removed her helmet, I was stunned…it was her…and, before I could turn away, she recognized me. She recoiled visibly at her realization and I looked away, still seeing the pain in her dark brown eyes and feeling her throat being crushed by a hand I could not control. This time I had a huge and intimidating weapon in my hands…I could only imagine what she was thinking. One thing was certain, the inferno within me burst with new life upon seeing her again, just as it had the first moment I saw her…
She invited us to hurry with her to a safe place where the bugs would not follow. She and those who survived to join her group had set up a camp inside of a crystal formation that seemed to repel the bugs. We began devising a plan to use crystals from the sheltered area to get everyone to safety. I set up a work area within the shelter, but away from the camp proper, so that I could work through the night and not disturb anyone. I would make a few items and Hero would test them by directly confronting the creatures. I wanted to go with him, but we both knew that, should the item fail, I did not have the stealth abilities to get away or the staying power to fight my way through. He, at least, had one of these in spades.
The murky afternoon faded into a dim that seemed to be night in this strange place. Except that everyone had turned in for the evening, I might not have noticed the difference at all. I absently looked around as I continued work on an amulet, but it fell from my hands when I saw Thea standing a short distance away. She was watching me from the shadows; I wonder how long she has been there…
In spite of the dim light, I could tell that she was scared, still shocked with memories of what I did to her. I had dreamed of seeing her again, but considering only that it would never happen. When I heard her family name, ir’Tain, a name that I was far more familiar with than I otherwise would be, I saw the hand of Fate bringing us together. We would meet again, either now or in the future. I am glad it was now.
She remembered me as well, remembered my eyes and the pain and terror that I had caused her but still, she had to be sure, so she asked…and we talked…
She asked questions about why I attacked her, and I answered to the best of my ability. I told her that I had changed since that night, and that I was not the woman who maliciously attacked her, but I will forever be the one who regrets it.
Thea told me how she came to be in the painting, but she mentioned something very curious: she had seen a painting of me…in Xen’drik. If she did, I must steel myself to go to the lost continent during this lifetime. Maybe Thea will guide me there when the time comes. I think Fate is again showing her hand, and that Thea and I are conjoined somehow.
She explained much of her family that I found distasteful. Her aunt, Celyria, who rescued me from certain embarrassment during her gala, was the only member that she spoke well of. It seems that none of the qualities that I hold so dear as part of my family are embraced by hers. Oh, how I want her to see what a real family is like!
Thea told me about finding me, crated and hidden away in the back of the library. She talked about how she spent many nights curled up with me, long before I was aware.
The fire within me, ignited again by her presence, burned hotter with each passing moment. My caution, my cares, and my life outside of this moment nearly faded in her light. I could not fight it, even if I wanted to; and, for now, I really didn’t want to.
She threw herself at me with complete abandon, and I welcomed her passionate kissing and caressing with my own. Her kiss, while not as clumsy as my first with Kayli, was no less passionate. Thea pulled at my clothing, her hands grasping at my body as though she feared there might be nothing underneath. Her fingertips carried unspeakable pleasure through me, every place her skin touched mine was set ablaze. I was so very close to giving myself to her completely…but I couldn’t…I wouldn’t…betray Kayli’s trust.
I pulled away from Thea, but told her plainly that I did want her. We had both wanted each other since we were first conscious of each other. She, since she first found me, and I, since the morning I saw her walk into the library. I didn’t want to lose her again, not if I could prevent it, but would not hurt Kayli for my own sake or Thea’s. I love Kayli, and I have known that I love Thea as well, nothing will change that. But, I will not consummate my feelings for Thea unless Kayli approves. I feel guilty for wanting them both, because I don’t want to hurt or lose either of them.
I found many parallels between Thea and Kayli. I started noticing them when, although obviously cold, Thea remained to talk. In spite of everything between us, she echoed Kayli’s words exactly when she said that she feels safe when she is next to me. And, like Kayli, I wanted her with every part of my being…and she wanted me as well.
When I explained my feelings to Thea, she seemed to understand. She said that she would rather share me with another than lose me, but her tone of compromise was bitter-sweet…
Hero interrupted to tell us that it was time to make our move. For now, I actually welcomed the distraction of survival as a relief from my own troubled heart. I held the rear, allowing the group of survivors to get far ahead of me before I attempted to catch up. I felt that the only way to get everyone out was to delay the bugs as long as I could as the group ascended the spiraling path up the mountain.
We got out, back at the University, everyone safe and unharmed…
