"Please, come in." Sanria gestured to the seat before her desk and the silver man took the proffered spot. "Thank you. I'll get right to it since the hour is late. We checked on your hus- Colin and we can only determine that the damage you've done by visiting him might not be permanent."
"Might not..."
"Without being able to go into his mind, we can only give our best estimate. However, we are advising you to stay clear of him. At this time it is best if he is able to let this go."
"This..." Sanria asked softly.
"Your relationship with him, or, lack thereof. Basically, Lady Sanria, he needs time to heal and how long that takes will depend on how much strain he's placed under."
"I'll stay away from him."
"Completely, m'lady."
"... completely."
"Good then. Ah, and your daughter, Nioma has endured a growth spurt. Do you have any knowledge of-"
"I know how it happens. It's a long story."
"Ah... well she is also well, though it threw Enmach off entirely. But, I can see you're tired. I'll take my leave."
The office was once more thrown into silence when Sanria reached out to Orn. She met him in the meeting room and gave him the news of his father. It pained her to see him so upset when he discovered he couldn't approach Colin even though he was right here in the castle, and it made him even more upset when she told him where she was staying. "You're staying with who?" "It's... well... it's a little complicated that one, he was just a friend but now he's a little more than a friend I guess. He's offered me a place to stay so I can be away from here and the cavern and the whole mess I'm creating in both places..."
"Wait Mom. But Dad's here, he's back... what are you talking about? You're staying with some man that's 'more than a friend'?"
"Orn... honey... I... your father and I aren't... we're..."
"What about Dad?"
"He doesn't remember me at all, Orn. And he never will. There's just too much past to bring back on your father. Far too much. He's finally free of all the baggage, all our past that held us down and was so heavy, he's free. I don't want to saddle him again with everything, especially now that he doesn't even remember it. He doesn't have to worry about Nioma, or any of that."
"Is it him who you want to be able to leave that behind... or you?"
"Orn... sweetheart... he's already left it behind... and me with it..."
"It seems like you're making this decision for him."
"Because your father is a stubborn man, Orn. If I let him have the choice, then I have no choice."
"Yeah... I guess he's not the only one."
She spent a bit longer, her discussion with Orn mainly centered on soothing him. Though he appeared much older, she still had to remind herself that he was young. And when he told her that he and Mirin were expecting, she had to remind herself he wasn't. It only pained her that Colin would never know he was a grandfather. It would have made him delighted.
After gathering her things together, ensuring Enmach knew were to find her if she was needed, Sanria and Nioma returned to the Ancient Tree. It was nearly dawn when she finally walked into the guest room and saw the little note laying on her bed. "You were not here when I returned from the library, so I left you this note instead. There is a gift for you on the third floor. I suspect you'll both like it. May it make for a pleasant stay. Kind regards and love, Ror"
Sanria laid the sleeping child on the bed and slipped through the house to the third floor. She opened the door of what was only the day prior a training room and revealed it had been entirely cleaned out. Sitting in the middle of the floor was a tiny chair meant for a child. Sanria's mouth fell open. Ror had not only thought of her, but her daughter, too. A small smile came to her tired face as she returned to her room and fell into an exhausted sleep.
Log: 14012013 - Ror and Sanria
OOC commentary: Ror and Sanria again. One thing lead to another and she decides to live (rent a room officially) with Ror for a short period of time now that she has made up her mind about her marriage with Colin. Whatever feelings might have reared their head during this episode, will quickly meet their end in the near future at the hands of drama. Of course at this point he doesn't realize yet what lurks just over the horizon. All in all an amusing session!
Sorting Life
Sanria sat on the edge of the bed, staring at a painting of a waterfall which she didn't really see. She stared through it, her mind elsewhere, days prior, taking inventory. She had run into Colin and had tried to get away before he saw her, which failed. She had spent that night with him as a complete stranger. She left him the next day and had forgotten her pack in her haste and ended up there again. The third day she had bailed him out of jail after he went nuts in the Westbridge Inn. She took him to the castle and came clean with Fenlauch. She let herself be admonished by the large Rilmani for failing to keep her distance. She had to keep away from Colin. She had to keep away from the cavern. She had no place to go for the first time in a long time.
It wasn't her fault. It simply seemed to be the way the cards had been dealt to her. Try as she might to keep things in order, things simply kept toppling over. She had gone into the forest, letting the whisperings of the trees keep her company. It was no surprise that, given everything happening, she would run into Ror. The universe was conspiring and having a good laugh at her expense.
She spent her time chatting with Ror, sitting above a valley overlooking the city of Darrowmere. It seemed worlds away from Colin, Fenlauch, Thasmudyan, Leandra, Nioma... there was simply a peace. It was nice to have their meeting be nothing more than friendly chatting. Somehow they'd ended up laying side by side looking at the stars, then she'd ended up back at his house looking out over the forest where he'd kissed her and she'd kissed him. She could at least give herself credit for stopping things before they'd gotten even more confusing, but when he'd offered her a place to find her "love and peace," Sanria had balked, then considered. Ror said he would be off in the TriPower library, he would be out of the way, she'd have the place to herself. He had offered it for free, but to be certain things remained a business transaction, she had paid a month's worth of rent, then bid him goodnight.
So, Sanria found herself staring at the waterfall painting on the wall of the guest room she had rented, taking stock. She would have to talk to Orn so he knew where to find her, she would have to pick up Nioma and bring her back, she would make sure Enmach knew where to reach her as well for any and all of the correspondence that might come to her, and she would have to figure out why in the world she kept doing things like this to herself.
Sanria stood up with a sigh. Orn first. With a few words, she left the small sanctuary offered her in a swirl of magic. No sooner than she entered her office than one of the Rilmani dressed in all black swept in behind her. "Lady Sanria, I'm sorry to interrupt, but it's important. It's about Colin." It was definitely going to be a long night.
It wasn't her fault. It simply seemed to be the way the cards had been dealt to her. Try as she might to keep things in order, things simply kept toppling over. She had gone into the forest, letting the whisperings of the trees keep her company. It was no surprise that, given everything happening, she would run into Ror. The universe was conspiring and having a good laugh at her expense.
She spent her time chatting with Ror, sitting above a valley overlooking the city of Darrowmere. It seemed worlds away from Colin, Fenlauch, Thasmudyan, Leandra, Nioma... there was simply a peace. It was nice to have their meeting be nothing more than friendly chatting. Somehow they'd ended up laying side by side looking at the stars, then she'd ended up back at his house looking out over the forest where he'd kissed her and she'd kissed him. She could at least give herself credit for stopping things before they'd gotten even more confusing, but when he'd offered her a place to find her "love and peace," Sanria had balked, then considered. Ror said he would be off in the TriPower library, he would be out of the way, she'd have the place to herself. He had offered it for free, but to be certain things remained a business transaction, she had paid a month's worth of rent, then bid him goodnight.
So, Sanria found herself staring at the waterfall painting on the wall of the guest room she had rented, taking stock. She would have to talk to Orn so he knew where to find her, she would have to pick up Nioma and bring her back, she would make sure Enmach knew where to reach her as well for any and all of the correspondence that might come to her, and she would have to figure out why in the world she kept doing things like this to herself.
Sanria stood up with a sigh. Orn first. With a few words, she left the small sanctuary offered her in a swirl of magic. No sooner than she entered her office than one of the Rilmani dressed in all black swept in behind her. "Lady Sanria, I'm sorry to interrupt, but it's important. It's about Colin." It was definitely going to be a long night.
Finding The Scroll
Galactus Had been in the LIbraries of Athkatla scanning for documents that would predate the modern westbridge for nearly a month now. He was not usually capable of speech but what he lacked in communication his logic board more than made up for. Galactus was able to Read and process documents at a much faster pace than would ever be humanly possible. He was also proficient at languages as he scanned through hundreds and into the several thousands of documents the robot had found 14 scrolls about westbridge that predated modern reconnaissance. Of the 14 three were undecipherable by the Robot.
One of the three scrolls in particular was very interesting. It appeared to have a few scrawled sketches and its parchment seemed to glow. Galactus was not entirely in the dark about the translation. He could tell that it had been written with very large but extremely talented hands. And some of the words were familiar to language found at the temple upon the Rok. The few words he could read didn't sound good.
'... Evil... Ancient... Cetra... Artifact... '
Galactus knew he had completed his tasks and quickly packed up his findings in a secure bag and set off magically to find his master.
One of the three scrolls in particular was very interesting. It appeared to have a few scrawled sketches and its parchment seemed to glow. Galactus was not entirely in the dark about the translation. He could tell that it had been written with very large but extremely talented hands. And some of the words were familiar to language found at the temple upon the Rok. The few words he could read didn't sound good.
'... Evil... Ancient... Cetra... Artifact... '
Galactus knew he had completed his tasks and quickly packed up his findings in a secure bag and set off magically to find his master.
One is the...
Sanria sat with the flowers in her hands, inhaling as hard as she could, but this problem was beyond the reach of nature. What Fenlauch had told her in no uncertain terms, was that she no longer had a husband and her children no longer had a father. She felt there was nothing left for her but the hopeless and heartbroken sensation she felt and so, behind her mahogany desk, her face buried in flowers, she wept. Only once she felt the cocoon of strength, of cold, of armor wrap around her did she dare stand up.
She found Orn in his quarters and told him the news. When Orn looked at her saying, "So it's like they killed him. I don't have a Dad anymore," the tears stung, but did not fall. It was as though they couldn't. Orn assured her it wasn't her fault, but Sanria's mind ran. If only she hadn't pushed Colin. If only she had just stayed with him in the cavern. If only. Orn felt there was hope, why couldn't she? Orn felt that maybe the Rilmani had it wrong, they didn't know. But the truth was, when Fenlauch spoke, it was never with a missed step. Orn wanted to go to Colin once he'd healed, but the thought of seeing Colin with absolutely no recognition in his eyes was more than she could bear.
She called Leandra from the cavern and met her by the river. She had expected rage and blame from the girl, but what Sanria got was silence. Finally, Leandra looked up, her face paper-white. "I don't think I want to see you for a while." And Leandra walked away. Sanria wanted anything but that... anything but the cool indifference.
As Sanria sat by the bank of the river staring into the water, the cold sensation once again washed through her body. She would allow herself this moment to grieve. She would give herself this time to let the world stop spinning so fast. Then, she would get back to work. She looked at the ring on her finger and slipped it off, placing it in her pack. That world, the one contained in the amber leaves of her wedding band, was over. All that was left was the Keepers, and Nioma, and she'd be sure that the only time anything would happen to them would be over her stone cold body.
She found Orn in his quarters and told him the news. When Orn looked at her saying, "So it's like they killed him. I don't have a Dad anymore," the tears stung, but did not fall. It was as though they couldn't. Orn assured her it wasn't her fault, but Sanria's mind ran. If only she hadn't pushed Colin. If only she had just stayed with him in the cavern. If only. Orn felt there was hope, why couldn't she? Orn felt that maybe the Rilmani had it wrong, they didn't know. But the truth was, when Fenlauch spoke, it was never with a missed step. Orn wanted to go to Colin once he'd healed, but the thought of seeing Colin with absolutely no recognition in his eyes was more than she could bear.
She called Leandra from the cavern and met her by the river. She had expected rage and blame from the girl, but what Sanria got was silence. Finally, Leandra looked up, her face paper-white. "I don't think I want to see you for a while." And Leandra walked away. Sanria wanted anything but that... anything but the cool indifference.
As Sanria sat by the bank of the river staring into the water, the cold sensation once again washed through her body. She would allow herself this moment to grieve. She would give herself this time to let the world stop spinning so fast. Then, she would get back to work. She looked at the ring on her finger and slipped it off, placing it in her pack. That world, the one contained in the amber leaves of her wedding band, was over. All that was left was the Keepers, and Nioma, and she'd be sure that the only time anything would happen to them would be over her stone cold body.
Entity Aftermath
With another splash of water in his face Ror felt a lot more refreshed. Drinking and magic were a bad mix, but at least nothing bad had happened on the long term. Perhaps some image damage and funny remarks as his skin was saved by three women and an old goblin. That reminded him, he should say his thanks to them. Best start with the women first, he thought, let's see, what do they like? A little later Ror was collecting flowers in his garden. When he had enough, he went back inside and arranged bouquets in his kitchen. At the kitchen table he wrote thank you cards. After attaching the cards to the bouquets, he took two with them and transported the third by magic to Sanria. Magically recalling himself to the TriPower Tower, he was greeted by a grinning Captain of the Guard. Ignoring the man, Ror went to find his clanmates. After this he would drop by the library for ordering a copy of a book. He figured the old goblin would like that.
Disjointed Reality
It was dread that suddenly washed over Sanria when the glowing eyes settled in the chair across the desk. Fenlauch rarely came for simple chats. His conversations with Sanria were reserved for matters of gravity. And somehow, Sanria knew, this was serious. "Is he okay," she whispered.
"Yes. The proceedure was a success."
"Ah!" Sanria smiled, relieved. "Where is he?"
"That, is why I've come to speak with you."
"I... okay." Sanria settled herself, quelling the fire of excitement that had ignited moments before. "What's happened?"
"We've brought him back and he is staying in Westbridge until his mind is able to heal."
"But, you said it worked..."
"It did, but there were, casualties in his memories."
"Casualties..."
"Think of it like this," Fenlauch said, letting out an exhale. "His mind is full of certain holes, holes that will not fill in, but are currently as soft as a sponge. If he attempts to fill them in now, he could face a collapse. His mind has to... set... if you will."
"Holes..."
"Sanria, when your friend, Throm, placed Colin into the vat of Black Makou, Colin was in stasis, his thoughts on you and his children."
"Yes..."
"His memories of you merged with that substance. That was why you alone could calm him. So when we removed the ichor from him..."
"He forgot me."
Sanria leaned back in her chair. She didn't remember to breathe until her lungs began to burn. Only then did she look up at Fenlauch. "I'm sorry," he said quietly.
"Will he recover, I mean, I know you said holes but..." Fenlauch shook his head slowly. "You must let him mend and perhaps then you can get to know him over again, but no. Your past with him is gone in his mind. You are the holes."
"What... what about his children? Orn... Leandra..."
"He may have vague recollections of them... but not..."
There was nothing she could say. Sanria leaned back in her chair, unable to even see for all the tears clouding her vision. 'At least he's alive, at least he's alive, at least...' but Sanria found herself going numb. She sat up and smoothed her robes. "I'll have to speak to Orn."
"Sanria, perhaps you should take a little time to-"
"And I'll tell Leandra, then I'll get to work on helping Radiant Heart with Westbridge."
"Sanria..."
"Thank you, Fenlauch. Thank you for helping him."
Sanria watched as the huge man rose and bowed slowly. "I believe you should take time to let yourself understand and heal. I will not force you out of here, but be aware that your clan needs you to be strong and coherent."
"I am aware," she whispered.
"If you have any questions, please come to me."
"Thank you."
Without the huge presence in the room, Sanria felt her body crush. She leaned forward, taking in a breath to let out a deep sob, when a bouquet of flowers appeared on her desk with a card written in druid script: "Thanks for earlier. If you're busy and stressed, smell the flowers. Enjoy while they last!"
"Yes. The proceedure was a success."
"Ah!" Sanria smiled, relieved. "Where is he?"
"That, is why I've come to speak with you."
"I... okay." Sanria settled herself, quelling the fire of excitement that had ignited moments before. "What's happened?"
"We've brought him back and he is staying in Westbridge until his mind is able to heal."
"But, you said it worked..."
"It did, but there were, casualties in his memories."
"Casualties..."
"Think of it like this," Fenlauch said, letting out an exhale. "His mind is full of certain holes, holes that will not fill in, but are currently as soft as a sponge. If he attempts to fill them in now, he could face a collapse. His mind has to... set... if you will."
"Holes..."
"Sanria, when your friend, Throm, placed Colin into the vat of Black Makou, Colin was in stasis, his thoughts on you and his children."
"Yes..."
"His memories of you merged with that substance. That was why you alone could calm him. So when we removed the ichor from him..."
"He forgot me."
Sanria leaned back in her chair. She didn't remember to breathe until her lungs began to burn. Only then did she look up at Fenlauch. "I'm sorry," he said quietly.
"Will he recover, I mean, I know you said holes but..." Fenlauch shook his head slowly. "You must let him mend and perhaps then you can get to know him over again, but no. Your past with him is gone in his mind. You are the holes."
"What... what about his children? Orn... Leandra..."
"He may have vague recollections of them... but not..."
There was nothing she could say. Sanria leaned back in her chair, unable to even see for all the tears clouding her vision. 'At least he's alive, at least he's alive, at least...' but Sanria found herself going numb. She sat up and smoothed her robes. "I'll have to speak to Orn."
"Sanria, perhaps you should take a little time to-"
"And I'll tell Leandra, then I'll get to work on helping Radiant Heart with Westbridge."
"Sanria..."
"Thank you, Fenlauch. Thank you for helping him."
Sanria watched as the huge man rose and bowed slowly. "I believe you should take time to let yourself understand and heal. I will not force you out of here, but be aware that your clan needs you to be strong and coherent."
"I am aware," she whispered.
"If you have any questions, please come to me."
"Thank you."
Without the huge presence in the room, Sanria felt her body crush. She leaned forward, taking in a breath to let out a deep sob, when a bouquet of flowers appeared on her desk with a card written in druid script: "Thanks for earlier. If you're busy and stressed, smell the flowers. Enjoy while they last!"
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