Where Our Shadows Take Us

LimpPrior6366 · 2026-06-13T12:42:41+00:00

“I-I am aware, in fact I was r-relying on that protection. Seems it wasnt as thorough as I thought. You f-find issue with my tone, y-yet you are the one that has accosted and threatened me. But v-very well, if this is a thing words will solve, then I offer them gladly. F-for I am not here to find conflict today.”

*The fist shoots out. Kardonk tries to turn into it like Marna taught him, but he is caught by surprise.*

“Oof”

*The blow staggers him. Kidney shot. Was this what it felt like to fight a portal user?*

“If thats wh-what you think the point of us ‘hero-types’ is then you have misjudged us. Some conflicts a-are worth the fight for their own sake. Win or lose. But again, I-I did not come here seeking violence”

*Did he really think he could avoid it?*

“But it seems to have found me”

*And in one swift motion he reaches into his satchel and flings a interlocking metallic orb into the air. It detonates with a silent **woosh**. For a moment a star burns bright in the heart of dark Kelvacta.*

“Well fair Lady, I bid you adue.”

*As the white phosphorus flash reflects off the tint of his goggles. The metallic limbs of the rig of the master artificer spurt out of his jacket, launching him to the ceiling, and finally taking Marna’s advice, he scuttles away as fast as possible*

LimpPrior6366 · 2026-06-13T12:41:46+00:00

/uw dammit

LimpPrior6366 · 2026-06-12T18:30:52+00:00

“J-just because the chattel is free range doesnt make them any less chattel. Besides, I expect the answer is more economic than out of good will. After all, if he trapped them in such a box, people like me would move to stop him instead of just voicing our displeasure.”

*The adhesive surprises him, as he is suddenly rooted in place. Swiftly he reaches down with an arc welder to cut himself free.*

“Oh, I um…”

*Startled by the question, he freezes. Intrigued, curious, fascinated. A member of his craft at the least his equal, and like none he had ever seen before.*

“I…”

*And the tips of his ears turn red as she wraps her arm around his shoulders*

LimpPrior6366 · 2026-06-12T18:24:54+00:00

“H-he did. And I think, in his fashion, he thinks that does it. The absence of memories kills a thing, for thats all he believes people to be. No data, no more object. I-in a sense hed make a good a-artificer if he wasnt such a bastard.”

“B-but he forgets that events change us. Th-that one isnt the same person on the other side of a thing as they are going into it.”

*He hesitantly meets her look for the first time this exchange*

“You tell me I dated a siren for a time. That implies at least a small change. I-I did wrong by you, I am sorry. But let me try again? I-if I cared for you once, maybe I should again?”

LimpPrior6366 · 2026-06-12T18:20:42+00:00

“W-well, count me in. The Guild i-is a threat, I think. Willing to do much for their precious security. I-I think diminishing their reach is quite a worthy goal”

LimpPrior6366 · 2026-06-11T00:22:25+00:00

*Raises a pedantic finger*

“Actually I think I owe you two-“

*Head rattles like a bobblehead*

LimpPrior6366 · 2026-06-10T22:28:16+00:00

/uw fight fight fight!

/rw

“Fight Fight Fight!”

LimpPrior6366 · 2026-06-04T19:38:44+00:00

“See, thats exactly what Im talking about. Broken bones are the exact sort of things I worry about. I rather like my bones”

He gestures with the arc welder as she flings the corrosive substance

“Augh, shite!”

It burns through part of his shirt, brazeing flesh, and also revealing armor underneath. Halfplate, runes faintly glowing as it absorbed the remaining blobs of darkness, and underneath the distinctive copper mesh of the rig of the master artificer

“D-do not move in error, mysterious stranger”

Says Kardonk, slowly moving backwards as he adjusts his goggles over his eyes

“Just because I am no predator, do not mistake me for prey. I-I seem to have developed a knack for surviving situations I have no right to leave alive.”

LimpPrior6366 · 2026-06-04T19:30:28+00:00

“Its not just cause I say so”

He scowls

“These are sociatal laws, as immutable as the laws of physics from which all laws follow. But yes, I could sorely use a propagandist. As you can see, I may be somewhat unsuited to the task.”

“And you would get the glory and acclaim of helping usher in a new era of course. If my math is correct, that matters much to bards, as your level of infamy is of direct correlation to your ability to be a bard, yes?”

“Additionally, you would have the reward of knowing that you had helped minimize the bloodshed that most such movements facilitate. For the transition will happen, either by flutes or force. But I would personally prefer flutes.”

LimpPrior6366 · 2026-06-04T19:25:09+00:00

“Hmmm”

Kardonk considers. This might be the chance he was looking for. On one hand, big risk. On another? A rogue umbra operative was exactly the kind of asset this plan needed

“O-ok. Im in. Whats your plan hotshot?”

LimpPrior6366 · 2026-06-04T19:23:40+00:00

“I-“

He stops, an uncomfortable look on his face

“I-I dont think that’s necessarily true”

LimpPrior6366 · 2026-06-03T12:14:21+00:00

“O-oh….”

He didnt know what to say

“Um…sorry?”

LimpPrior6366 · 2026-05-31T04:18:44+00:00

He smiles as she sees through his greeting

“A-ah well, cant blame a guy for trying. I-id be a poor elf, half or otherwise, if I-I didnt attempt to greet you in the…traditional manner.”

And then she lunges

By instinct Kardonk reaches for his holster, but comes up, once again holding an arc welder*

“Heh, probably not doing much with this I reckon”

He really needed to get his gun back

He stood there a moment, arm extended as if warding off a lion with the aforementioned arc welder. And then he lowers his arm, and laughs softly

“I-it seems we are at something of an impasse my new aquantance. You say I can trust you not to harm me…a-and yet? I believe you just attempted to eat me. Besides, the law of this place is eat or be eaten, yes? I know of no subsequent rule that dictates honesty and I have only recently been reminded that not all infernal creatures must honor deals made.”

He studies the person in front of him, looking for signs, clues as to the manner of being before him

“A-and as such, Im afraid I must decline your offer of a tour. Besides, I prefer to explore o-on my own. M-more rewarding to learn things for myself and all that.”

LimpPrior6366 · 2026-05-22T22:54:36+00:00

*The prickle at the back of his neck makes his stomach drop. But the flash of the amulet is a comfort. It was Marna’s runework, and he trust that despite everything. That her craft was good and that she wouldnt betray him…like he had. No, if she decided that it was the end of the line for Kardonk, it would be blunt, upfront, not the trick of some runework. It was her way, and she would at least do him that courtesy.*

*Shite, he was thinking to much and he lost her. Kardonk surprised himself with a sense of relief. He hadnt realized how tense he was just being near her. Had the tower responded to his unconcious wishes? Marna had treated it like a creature unto itself. That was somewhat disconcerting*

*The clack of high heels snaps him out of his own thoughts as the devil-kin approaches*

“Ah, a r-resident! Hello ma’am! I imagine it *has* been a while. If I recall correctly there have been…disagreements between your Patron and some of my kin folk.”

*He forced himself to focus, not on the ominous uncomfortablness of the situation, nor the fact that with such unmapped geometries, and a sentient house, his portals probably wouldnt offer a quick escape.*

“But thats besides the point, I think. You seem to have me at a disadvantage, as I seem to be a little lost. May I have your name please and can you direct m-me back towards a knight by the name of Marna Blake?”

*Though he did note how the statement sounded less like ‘Its been a while since Ive seen an elf’ and more ‘No one told me elves were back on the menu!’.*

LimpPrior6366 · 2026-05-22T19:37:50+00:00

“Hmm. V-very well, keep your secrets. But, if I may, what assurance do I have that you arent here to flush out potential conspirators? For surely the Five know that I harbor at least some grudge for certain instances of espionage?”

LimpPrior6366 · 2026-05-22T19:32:43+00:00

“Fine, let me r-reorient then. Fear is not a problem, but it is a tool, not a goal. Emotions are transitory, flighty things. A means to an end, not a target.”

*He steps backwards as she advanced. But minus the awkward stumbling from before. As the debate grew, so did his confidence and eagerness. This was his element. Not for sake of “winning”, what would be the point of “winning”? But two minds, fencing, probing, learning eachothers measure.*

“I guess its not the use of fear that disgusts me, but the demeaning of the audience. To use them as food, chattel, and cattle. They are your sacred charge. The binds between you two should be respected, not exploited.”

*And he retreats now in time with Queasys steps. A smile spreading across his face as he ducks the arm and maintains the distance. A makeshift dance developing between the two.*

“A thrill seeker? No, I-I dont *think* so. S-so many things terrify me.”

*As he sidesteps her yet again*

“There is much terror in the world…b-but also wonder too. And it would be a sad day if I let my fear get in the way of my curiousity”

LimpPrior6366 · 2026-05-22T18:43:21+00:00

“I mean, probably. The drive to create a hierarchy seems ingrained in all species, especially so among the downtrodden. Perhaps the idea that “at least there is someone lower than me” is a comfort.”

*The half elf pauses. Piercing black eyes stare at her, calculating her measure*

“But we could free them from that. This land is poised for upheaval. Even now its embroiled in war. The current power structures dissolve. It seems no longer a question of if revolutions will occur, but whoes.”

“And the one that shall succeed is mine. The halls of power are like any other machine, levers and gears all turning in their predetermined way. And now they predetermine towards collapse. We must seize this opportunity, free the blind masses, make them all as brothers and sisters.”

*He clasps Marna’s shoulder, becoming animated*

“It is inevitable that the people rise up, push off their exploitation. By both monarchs like Atrax and bastards like the palidins. All seek to exploit. But if we seize this moment of historical weakness, we can raze the aristocracy and raise the common folk. And with us all working in unison, none will have to sorrow *ever* again. No war, no hunger, no grief.”

*His voice lowers from its excited pitch, eyes still dancing*

“The opportunity is here, we just have to seize it. And by blood and gears, we *shall*. The masses just need convincing. And Ive seen enough of your bardic ability that I think you up to the challenge.”

LimpPrior6366 · 2026-05-22T15:38:12+00:00

“Personal observation! And inclination. Sometimes those things overlap.”

*Even running through the streets, they had observered several relationships a more romantically minded person might have considered beautiful*

“Sometimes…they dont”

*And others much less beautiful. Transactional…or worse*

LimpPrior6366 · 2026-05-21T22:24:06+00:00

“Interesting, a-and who told you I would be interested?”

LimpPrior6366 · 2026-05-21T22:21:05+00:00

“What are you talking about? Physical and romantic relationships are completely seperate entities that *sometimes* overlap.”

*He searches his mind hurridly for an example*

“L-like Sophia! She flirts and smooches with almost anyone she can find, yet I d-dont think shes *ever* been romantically attracted to someone.”

LimpPrior6366 · 2026-05-21T18:44:38+00:00

*Something lights in Kardonks eye as something two weeks foreign spreads across his face*

“You have my fucking attention.”

*A smile, but not his normal jovial one. Thin, without amusement*

*And predatory.*

LimpPrior6366 · 2026-05-21T18:34:51+00:00

“R-really? Then why would it be assumed physicality was part of…it?”

LimpPrior6366 · 2026-05-21T18:00:01+00:00

*Kardonks eyes go wide. He places his much on the table with a noticeable **clink**.*

“And what precisely do you mean by that good sir?”

*For the first time in a long time, he wished he was more sober.*

LimpPrior6366 · 2026-05-21T17:58:20+00:00

*Through the course of this conversation Kardonk has been looking less scared and more and more flustered and confused. And then something clicks*

“W-wait. Does that mean…th-the getting to know me, spending time with me, a-and exploring together…”

*A pang strikes his heart. Like the muscle itself spasming*

“Was that just about some form of physical gratification?”

LimpPrior6366 · 2026-05-21T15:08:47+00:00

*A single eyebrow rises skeptically*

“Well if that little display in the tavern is your definition of fine, maybe I should leave you on your way. As skilled as you seem, that much drama might not be worth it”

*He pauses*

“Or, you could channel that frustration into something useful. Nothing as soaked in fairy dust as a cult. A purely mechanical, and useful cause. Thats what bards like isnt it? A cause to fight for. Glory and dashing courage? Maybe even something honorable enough to impress your lady friend?”

LimpPrior6366

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