① Injury / illness → Your character has become injured or ill! The post CYOA prompt.
[ let's be honest - a bad cyoa was always in the cards for rondo. not just because of the psychological implications of it all, but the physical, too. he's gotten rather used to the healing words of people like rinyuu, or even eliza, but here, magical healing isn't exactly par for the course.
he's settled up in the medical area of this generic murdergame setting, lying in a bed. rondo's expression is a little hard to read, his brow furrowed, eyes closed, but when he hears footsteps, he makes a little noise and starts trying to push himself up on his forearms, which is such a mistake. ]
Oh - ow, ow. [ the !!! at being addressed is first, which then immediately melts into a look a bit like a scolded puppy, sheepish as he realizes that he's been caught misbehaving. rondo then tries to plaster a smile back onto his face properly. ] ... Hi.
[ oops. ]
Edited 2024-02-06 21:22 (UTC)
bc we talked about it once and i don't have a szn journal yet
You're doing something that you shouldn't be doing, Rondo.
[ :)
castti, of course, is making her rounds to those that have come back from the cyoa. she doesn't have her full abilities or stock, here, but she'll do what she can, with what she has. dohter wouldn't do any less - and neither will she. so she has a first aid kit that she'd bartered for with the NPCs, and what herbs that she's managed to collect here. and she stands in the doorway, smiling threateningly at rondo.
[ no a doctor is better. actually this is a lot better.
anyway. there's something about castti that strikes the fear of god into people and rondo, who is a gods fearing fantasy catholic, is no exception to this. she reminds him so much of eliza, who would scold him for misbehaving like this, too before she healed him.
rondo freezes when he is caught, sheepish smile still on his face, and then... sits back? like a good boy. he winces a little when he does, testing his injury very gingerly, and then goes to lay back down. ]
[ admittedly, rondo is a little bit of a fish out of water at this wild generic murdergame party, but he seems to be enjoying himself all the same. he's generally pretty social, and besides, the topics of these games are pretty fun? being a knight makes you kind of a frat boy. at any rate, he's got a drink in his hand he's barely touched, and when the conversation comes around to him, rondo looks very thoughtful before he snaps his fingers. ]
Ah, alright, alright! I've got it. Two truths and a lie, right? I've been fully engulfed in flame before, I grew up wealthy, and I'm a younger brother!
[ look at him. he's so excited. one of the things on this list was so concerning. ]
[ speaking of parties. they're supposed to be getting ready for this match with satan and that involves drinking a lot of... very strange drinks... and though rondo is no heavyweight, he has got to make sure he makes it out of here.
anyway because of that, he is TRAINING!!! and by training i mean he's trying out different drinks. three options. ]
a. barking puppy. [ health of mind: You lose your brain-to-mouth filter. Confess your every feeling, sin, or idle thought.
oh, this drink... it's lemony and tasty, and rondo smacks his lips together thoughtfully after it's done. as conversation moves on around him, he continues sipping at the drink, trying to keep an eye on its contents and stay sober. but at some point, he just blurts out- ]
You know, the last time I went through Hell, it was certainly not as colorful as this, and I was lucky to be with my companions, but I think I vastly prefer it like this. Is that bad...? It's not, right...?
[ ???? ]
b. actual puppy [ you know, like, nya:Grants the drinker animal ears (of player's choice), replacing their normal ears.
the second drink choice gets rondo to make a little bit of a confused face after he's finished it, looking down at the glass. ]
... This is just milk...?
[ unbenknownst to him, there are now a pair of golden retriever ears perched on the top of his head. hmmm. ]
c. sad puppy
[ muistojakaa:after drinking, you recall a fond memory from the past. But it makes you sad, because those times are gone forever. You also feel compelled to tell the person next to you about that bittersweet moment.
the third drink is served to him in a teacup - rondo looks a little surprised when he drinks it, but he downs it and perks up a little as he does. warm, comforting, and familiar... that's a cup of tea with a little milk and sugar and honey made by heathcote, alright. it tastes just like it, and he can't help himself, letting out a little sigh and cradling the delicate porcelain cup carefully in his hands.
as he finishes the third drink, his usual smile disappears, mouth pulling downwards into a soft, sad looking frown. for a moment, he eyes the cup, the delicate blue and purple decorations around the fine china...
...
after a long moment, he sets the cup down and lifts a hand to rub over his face. so much for that cheer from earlier. ]
[ violet is not drinking at the moment. instead, she is watching rondo train with her hands politely in her lap and a muted curious look to her as her head tilts. as his mouth turns downwards, she blinks to attention, shoulders straightening further. ]
Mr. Rondo.
[ her mouth remains in a barely perceptible frown. ]
Oh, Miss Violet... you don't have to call me that. Just Rondo is fine...
[ he says, also using a title.... it's those manners, he can't help himself.
at any rate, rondo pulls his hand away from his face once he's been addressed and offers her a smile, but it's more sheepish, this time, apologetic as he ducks his head. ]
I'm alright: I didn't mean to worry you. I... was just thinking about home, is all.
[ she will never not call him mr. rondo. her brows lift just slightly as she assesses this moment. she is always so incredibly still.
when the observations contradict what he says, it throws her off a moment. so she instead relies on her eyes more than what she would prefer, his words. something is wrong, but she will wait. ]
[ the hopping has rondo to look over - his face is a little warmer, a little amused with it, affectionately friendly as he considers the question. it's nostalgic and warm like the tea he feels like he can still taste, the sweetness of honey and milk and tea leaves, and he huffs, a softly amused noise. ]
That's true. [ ... ] ... I'm from a place called Bolderfall, in the country of Edoras. It's a village tucked among the cliffs in the Cliftlands, and it, like many other places, has its share of troubles, but...
[ there's a pause, as he looks down at the cup again, and feels the urge from the drink - to unfold the problem, to talk about the memory. violet asked, after all. perhaps she wants to hear.
his shoulders scrunch up a little near his ears, and he admits with a breathless exhale: ]
... Well, truthfully, I was thinking about my sister. [ cordelia. the tea taste reminds him so much of home in that regard, a home that hasn't been home in some time, now. ] Our parents died when we were younger, and our butler looked after the two of us. He makes the best cup of tea in the world - well, he makes the best everything in the world. And Cordelia loves tea, so, we used to take teatime together.
I haven't been home in a long time, so... of course, I miss her, very badly. I miss the little things like that.
[like not at the same time because milk and lemon sounds disgusting but they can be trying stuff out together it's fine
anyway, throné is not a wild drinker - she likes alcohol, she likes wine and ale and mead, but in moderation. she can't often afford to get totally wasted on the job, or... any time, really, because you never really know when someone is going to try and steal your belongings. or worse, slip a knife into your back. so, while she's experienced with drinking and being tipsy, she has not been drunk.
until getting here, anyway. there's a lot to unpack about her feelings on being in hell that she cannot possibly articulate at the moment, nor does she want to, which is fine. not like a drink will get her to spill all of that in this thread or anything.
tonight, she sends rondo a message to meet her in one of the more tame bars. the idea is that they're going to practice for the drinking contest, but she's absolutely lying to herself when she says it's only that. she kind of just likes spending time with him. she will never admit this. she would rather die.
she's sprawled in that bar with a drink already, settled on a couch with him, not touching but not far away. she takes a sip from her lemon-y drink, and then:]
I don't know what half of these do. [experiments! investigations!]
anyway! they're going to practice for the drinking contest!! rondo's been practicing very hard. mostly because he is a knight ardante, and sure, the knights can all gather around the tavern and knock them back with the best of them, but rondo has always been very careful about it - mostly for reason number one, because of the training itself. all the other knights who came into his class trained under hard instructors, sure, but those instructors would even come out to drink sometimes, even if they could be tough in the morning. rondo, however, was the flameguard's apprentice. and sazantos might have killed him, if he came to morning services and training hungover. he would've felt it for years.
so! this requires a lot of training. rondo was not expecting to get stuck in hell considering, let alone in this situation, but he's handled it alright so far. he's gotten to know his comrades, and for as unfair as the entire murdergame part of it all is, some of it is nice. hell is certainly cheerier than he knows it, and - he gets to hang out with people like throné. rondo likes throné a lot. he's known a few thieves in his time, even noble and honorable ones like bargello and levinia, but throné takes the cake. she's fun, and exciting, and she knows about orsterra without knowing about orsterra at all, and he leans right into the familiarity and made fast friends.
as it gets closer to the end, he's ramping up his drink training. and after many bad, awful hangovers, it feels like he's starting to get the hang of it. so, when throné invites him to come hang out, of course he's thrilled. he arrives promptly and on time, and now is waiting for his own drink, which slides across to him in a glass. white... ]
Me either. [ rondo is not bixing he does not take meticulous notes. ] And, I don't think I've tried this one, yet. [ as he gives his own drink a little swirl! it... looks like milk.
he peers over at throné's, though, looking curious immediately. ] What did you order, M- Throné? [ he's learning. after so many weeks, he is learning. ]
[thank you temenos she's investigating for the sole purpose of using the drinks to her advantage
she peers at the drink that he is handed, trying not to smile - her lips are twitching at the edges but she's doing a good job of staying flat-expressioned, as usual. it does in fact look like milk, which would be very funny. it makes her curious as to what the effect could possibly be, but.
she swirls her own drink, and takes another sip.]
Health of Mind was the name, I believe. [she glances over at him, and his drink.] It's not bad. A little boring. You can try it if you'd like.
[ rondo reads this off of the menu. it is comical to anyone who is not a ye olde. or maybe it's just comical for the fact that he says it, and he somehow manages to sound confused when he reads it, brow furrowing. okay. like...you know...nyah.... ]
... Sort of like a cait. [ since they love their cat puns. he takes a little sip of his though, and then looks a little thoughtful, squinting at it. ] It's... well, will you taste it? I don't really taste any alcohol...
[ maybe throné has a more successful palate. he will take the drink, and smiles at her when they trade. ] Thank you! Health of Mind, huh? I'll give it a try. Yours already sounds much more sophisticated than mine was.
[ as he says this with a laugh and a smile, the drink he originally sips from takes its toll. by which i mean, a pair of golden retriever like fluffy ears pop up in the mess of his hair. ]
okay well the most important thing to note here is that she nearly drops the drink he pushes at her on the floor. the ears popping into existence, surrounded by his already very fluffy hair that she thinks would be fun to pet, is the end for her, actually. she was going to try and respond in any sensible way but there's no chance of that now.
[ ???? ?????? ???? ????? rondo starts looking around, left, then right?? his ears bounce when he does. they fit in so perfectly into his hair. his ponytail looks like a tail. it's ridiculous. ]
Uh. I think someone brought a dog, right? There's got to be a dog around here somewhere...
[ he will find you a dog (he is the dog) he will find ]
[A purple shadow slinks past the guards at the gates of Ravus Manor and creeps carefully through the gardens, timing his movements perfectly with the patrols. He (probably) doesn't need to sneak past them - however begrudging it may be, he's been here often enough they should know him on sight - but it's the principle of the matter. Pride in his skills as a thief or a bit of fun or testing the security as an unasked-for favor for the old butler or ... something.
Truthfully, Therion doesn't know why he's bothering to go about this the stealthy way except that he saw an opportunity in the arrival of a shipment of supplies of some sort or other, and he just couldn't resist. So here he is, sneaking into Ravus Manor. Just like old times.
A scan of the windows tells him one on the second floor is ajar, no doubt to let in the cool evening breeze. And if he remembers the layout right, that's the window to Cordelia's study. Perfect. Time for a quick climb.
If anyone asks, Therion isn't doing this because he cares even the slightest bit about Cordelia Ravus and how she's doing after, well, everything. He's definitely not doing this because he thinks she probably deserves to know what was done with those stones of hers while they were missing, nor because she ought to maybe be given her father's message from beyond the grave. And he's certainly not here to make sure the Dragonstones are still safe because no one should ever fucking open that door again.
No, if anyone asks, he's here because he's just passing through, and maybe a few sociable impulses have rubbed off on him after spending so long traveling with a bunch of weirdos. A normal reason to be breaking and entering.
With a soft huff, Therion finally heaves himself up the last bit of fancy molding (without looking down - one story is not that far, but it's still - no looking down) and onto the window sill, smirking as he sees a light left on the desk along with an inkwell, pen, and a stack of papers. Cordelia must've just stepped away, he presumes.
So (after the softest knock), he hops down from the sill (right foot first) and saunters over, flopping down into the chair and kicking one leg up over an armrest to wait. He pulls an apple out of one of his many hidden pockets and inspects it for any bruising before taking a bite.
Worst case, Heathcote'll come in, and that'll probably suck because Therion definitely does not want to talk about The Gates of Finis and.... all of that with him (not that he particularly wants to talk about it with Cordelia either, but, well...). He isn't too worried even if that does happen, though. His luck has been pretty good so far this evening. Surely that'll continue, right?]
[ it's very, very, very rare that rondo comes home. it's not because he doesn't love his sister and heathcote - it's almost the opposite. he gave up his family name in order to pursue the knights ardante, to pursue sazantos and learn everything he possibly could from him, and he almost didn't. it was cordelia who told him it was okay, who encouraged him, and so he had to make the clean break.
however. however! when he makes his way out to the cliftlands for a mission, he is almost bowled over by the mission's location - in bolderfall, of all places. it's not a big deal, just seeking out some troublesome monsters and clearing out a cave of a particularly nasty beast for the locals, and it's enough of a not big deal that sazantos sends rondo off on his own. he's probably glad for the break from rondo, but rondo chooses not to think about that, and instead tells himself he won't make a big deal out of it, that he'll stay in the inn and drop off his usual letter to cordelia in person, but he has the (mis?) fortune of running into his beloved younger sister in town.
and so that's led to this! he's agreed to stay the night back in the ravus manor. he doesn't exactly make good money, and the idea of a hot, heathcote cooked meal and time with his sister is such a siren call that he accepts it. it's just one night. nothing weird will happen.
as the evening winds down, rondo finds himself feeling a little antsy. honestly, he's retired to his room for the night, but he wants... he wants to hang out with cordelia a little longer, wants to enjoy one last night catching up with her before he heads back to flamesgrace, restored and refreshed, full of resolve for his path. so!
a little ways after dinner, rondo makes his way to his sister's room. he's not entirely sure if she's there, or not, but - and maybe luckily for therion - he does knock, twice. ]
Cordelia? [ and then pushes the door open, because he's an older brother and -
- well, it's a GOOD THING HE DOES because there is a miscreant!!! in cordelia's room!!! rondo's instincts are good despite anything, and he grabs his sword from his side nearly immediately and draws it in a bright flash of silver and the shink! of sharp metal cutting through the air. ] - By order of the Sacred Flame, don't move!
[ who the heck is this?! an assailant?! who is here to impugn his sister! ]
[ Three bites in aaaaand knocking. So probably Heathcote. Lovel--That is not Heathcote's voice??? And just 'Cordelia' rather than 'Lady' - but there's no time to ponder and even less time to even think about hiding, especially with how comfortable he's made himself in Cordelia's chair. The door opens, and all Therion can manage is to at least choke down the bite of apple he's currently chewing before suddenly there's a sword being waved at him by a -- Knight?
Order of the... wait, what the hell is a Knight Ardante doing here? Therion's eyes widen and then narrow as he calculates his options. He can probably make it back to the window and out before the knight can get around the desk, especially if he can make a quick distraction... But first, he has one very pressing question:]
Who the hell are you?
[Despite the instruction not to move, Therion removes his leg from the arm of the chair and sits up straight. He keeps the motion languid, as if he's just shifting to better regard this intruder rather than preparing to bolt. Therion was prepared for a reasonable degree of bullshit from Heathcote today - he was not prepared to try to explain himself to someone who might actually try to arrest him. (Or pretend to - the paranoid corner of Therion's brain wonders if this guy is really a knight or just dressed like one.)]
[ alas, therion does not get a reasonable degree of bullshit from an elderly thief butler. he gets a golden retriever. or, well, in this case, a guard dog.
admittedly, the question catches him a little off guard, and he blurts -] -- That's what I should be asking you, isn't it?!
[ you're the one in his house!! but stupid immediate question aside, rondo doesn't back off, sword drawn, watching him move warily. he doesn't draw close yet, not wanting to spook this... miscreant off before he knows the actual story. his mind's reeling with it, reeling with a promise he made years and years ago to protect cordelia, the same one he keeps near and dear to his heart, as warm as his sacred flame.
thank aelfric that he decided to stay here, after all. ]
I'm - [ well, he can't say i'm rondo ravus because he's given that last name up, and he doesn't have any right, but he does have a right to protect this house, so rondo reroutes. ] My name's Rondo - that doesn't matter, why are you breaking into my sister's room?
[If this guy didn't have a sword pointed at Therion, the way he's all flustered would be kind of funny. Actually no. Even with the open threat, it's still kind of funny. He honestly didn't expect the knight - Rondo, apparently - to answer the question.]
I'm not breaking in; I'm visiting. [That said...] What do you mean sister?
[He squints at Rondo. The guy does kinda resemble her. Same hair, similar eyes, but...] She's never mentioned you.
[Cordelia'd said her parents died, and it was just her and Heathcote. If he's her brother, then where the hell has he been this whole time? Even if he's a knight, surely they can get leave for that kind of shit, right? Not something he ever thought to ask Eliza about when she'd been traveling with them. And why wasn't this Rondo the one tracking down the damned Dragonstones instead? Or... had he been involved in stealing them for that witch to begin with? Blood ties aren't always a guarantee of any kind of loyalty, after all...
Sure, maybe he's letting his suspicions run away with him a bit, but after everything his group had learned recently, he feels he's entitled to a bit of healthy caution.]
[ the real question here is what are this man's intentions? the most logical answer to someone breaking into the ravus manor is someone coming to take the (recently returned) dragonstones. heathcote took his one-off suggestion, or so he was told, though he didn't ask the details - it was just a relief to see them back in their proper place, after everything he's been through lately.
however. this guy was just... sitting in cordelia's chair, eating an apple like he owned the place. and now he claims to be visiting instead of breaking in. rondo's frown stays, and he does not lower his sword. ] People who visit tend to knock on the front door.
[ so... someone breaking into his sister's room. heathcote would've known about an actual visitor, and somehow, he doubts heathcote knows about this... person. could he be trying to hurt cordelia? kidnap her, steal her away for ransom? or worse... could he have other intentions? impure ones. what if he's trying to romance his sister. what if he's got impure intentions on his 'visit'? what if cordelia's in on it? she's always been more romantic than rondo. his imagination runs away with it, so thank the gods above that therion says something to him.
and there's a beat - she's never mentioned you - and rondo blinks, but nothing really changes, otherwise. it's not surprising: she shouldn't. he just squares his shoulders. ]
I've sworn my life to the Knights Ardante. [ no more ravus, no more dragonstones. ] I just happened to be in town. How many conversations have you had, that you know who or what she mentions?
[The fact that the conversation has gone on this long, and this guy hasn't actively come charging over to apprehend Therion or otherwise threaten him at closer range but instead continues to carry on this conversation is not lost on Therion. He doesn't relax beneath his poncho, really - after all, Rondo could abruptly lose patience, and if his training is anything like Eliza's, he'll have some magic up his sleeves, assuming he's willing to risk a bit of damage to the furniture and papers - but Therion does begin to think that maybe he can stall this guy talking long enough for Cordelia to come back from wherever the hell she went. He also does relax his paranoia a little bit. This knight doesn't act like he's stalling for time or trying to hide anything, and pretending to be the lady of the house's brother would be a pretty bold lie.
Plus, there's something about that pause, that deliberate straightening of the shoulders... Well, if he's a protective older brother, then Therion should probably watch his words here. Buuuuut... he gets the feeling Rondo might be fun to wind up, like Tressa. Then again, maybe the discipline of knight training might counteract that. Only one way to find out! So, he gives a faint smirk.]
Plenty. [Casually, like this is no big deal and definitely a thing he was a willing participant in rather than something he was dragged to by Alfyn Primrose whenever they passed through:] Over afternoon tea, even.
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rondo ravus | champions of the continent
① generic mg: a little hurt/comfort
[ let's be honest - a bad cyoa was always in the cards for rondo. not just because of the psychological implications of it all, but the physical, too. he's gotten rather used to the healing words of people like rinyuu, or even eliza, but here, magical healing isn't exactly par for the course.
he's settled up in the medical area of this generic murdergame setting, lying in a bed. rondo's expression is a little hard to read, his brow furrowed, eyes closed, but when he hears footsteps, he makes a little noise and starts trying to push himself up on his forearms, which is such a mistake. ]
Oh - ow, ow. [ the !!! at being addressed is first, which then immediately melts into a look a bit like a scolded puppy, sheepish as he realizes that he's been caught misbehaving. rondo then tries to plaster a smile back onto his face properly. ] ... Hi.
[ oops. ]
bc we talked about it once and i don't have a szn journal yet
[ :)
castti, of course, is making her rounds to those that have come back from the cyoa. she doesn't have her full abilities or stock, here, but she'll do what she can, with what she has. dohter wouldn't do any less - and neither will she. so she has a first aid kit that she'd bartered for with the NPCs, and what herbs that she's managed to collect here. and she stands in the doorway, smiling threateningly at rondo.
but also worriedly. ]
Lay back down, if you would be so kind.
sazantos-san .......... :pleading:
anyway. there's something about castti that strikes the fear of god into people and rondo, who is a gods fearing fantasy catholic, is no exception to this. she reminds him so much of eliza, who would scold him for misbehaving like this, too before she healed him.
rondo freezes when he is caught, sheepish smile still on his face, and then... sits back? like a good boy. he winces a little when he does, testing his injury very gingerly, and then goes to lay back down. ]
... My apologies, Miss Castti....
② generic mg: party game intros
Ah, alright, alright! I've got it. Two truths and a lie, right? I've been fully engulfed in flame before, I grew up wealthy, and I'm a younger brother!
[ look at him. he's so excited. one of the things on this list was so concerning. ]
③ the superhell edition: curses
anyway because of that, he is TRAINING!!! and by training i mean he's trying out different drinks. three options. ]
a. barking puppy.
[ health of mind: You lose your brain-to-mouth filter. Confess your every feeling, sin, or idle thought.
oh, this drink... it's lemony and tasty, and rondo smacks his lips together thoughtfully after it's done. as conversation moves on around him, he continues sipping at the drink, trying to keep an eye on its contents and stay sober. but at some point, he just blurts out- ]
You know, the last time I went through Hell, it was certainly not as colorful as this, and I was lucky to be with my companions, but I think I vastly prefer it like this. Is that bad...? It's not, right...?
[ ???? ]
b. actual puppy
[ you know, like, nya: Grants the drinker animal ears (of player's choice), replacing their normal ears.
the second drink choice gets rondo to make a little bit of a confused face after he's finished it, looking down at the glass. ]
... This is just milk...?
[ unbenknownst to him, there are now a pair of golden retriever ears perched on the top of his head. hmmm. ]
c. sad puppy
[ muistojakaa: after drinking, you recall a fond memory from the past. But it makes you sad, because those times are gone forever. You also feel compelled to tell the person next to you about that bittersweet moment.
the third drink is served to him in a teacup - rondo looks a little surprised when he drinks it, but he downs it and perks up a little as he does. warm, comforting, and familiar... that's a cup of tea with a little milk and sugar and honey made by heathcote, alright. it tastes just like it, and he can't help himself, letting out a little sigh and cradling the delicate porcelain cup carefully in his hands.
as he finishes the third drink, his usual smile disappears, mouth pulling downwards into a soft, sad looking frown. for a moment, he eyes the cup, the delicate blue and purple decorations around the fine china...
...
after a long moment, he sets the cup down and lifts a hand to rub over his face. so much for that cheer from earlier. ]
sad puppy
Mr. Rondo.
[ her mouth remains in a barely perceptible frown. ]
Are you feeling... unwell?
no subject
[ he says, also using a title.... it's those manners, he can't help himself.
at any rate, rondo pulls his hand away from his face once he's been addressed and offers her a smile, but it's more sheepish, this time, apologetic as he ducks his head. ]
I'm alright: I didn't mean to worry you. I... was just thinking about home, is all.
no subject
[ she will never not call him mr. rondo. her brows lift just slightly as she assesses this moment. she is always so incredibly still.
when the observations contradict what he says, it throws her off a moment. so she instead relies on her eyes more than what she would prefer, his words. something is wrong, but she will wait. ]
What is your home like?
no subject
You mean where I'm from, or the whole world...?
no subject
[ immediately, unflinching. he laughs, but his eyes remain focused upon his drink. she scoots her stool closer, hop hop hop. ]
Within your world. We will be here all day I believe if you were to tell me about an entire world.
no subject
That's true. [ ... ] ... I'm from a place called Bolderfall, in the country of Edoras. It's a village tucked among the cliffs in the Cliftlands, and it, like many other places, has its share of troubles, but...
[ there's a pause, as he looks down at the cup again, and feels the urge from the drink - to unfold the problem, to talk about the memory. violet asked, after all. perhaps she wants to hear.
his shoulders scrunch up a little near his ears, and he admits with a breathless exhale: ]
... Well, truthfully, I was thinking about my sister. [ cordelia. the tea taste reminds him so much of home in that regard, a home that hasn't been home in some time, now. ] Our parents died when we were younger, and our butler looked after the two of us. He makes the best cup of tea in the world - well, he makes the best everything in the world. And Cordelia loves tea, so, we used to take teatime together.
I haven't been home in a long time, so... of course, I miss her, very badly. I miss the little things like that.
(no subject)
(no subject)
barking + actual puppy
anyway, throné is not a wild drinker - she likes alcohol, she likes wine and ale and mead, but in moderation. she can't often afford to get totally wasted on the job, or... any time, really, because you never really know when someone is going to try and steal your belongings. or worse, slip a knife into your back. so, while she's experienced with drinking and being tipsy, she has not been drunk.
until getting here, anyway. there's a lot to unpack about her feelings on being in hell that she cannot possibly articulate at the moment, nor does she want to, which is fine. not like a drink will get her to spill all of that in this thread or anything.
tonight, she sends rondo a message to meet her in one of the more tame bars. the idea is that they're going to practice for the drinking contest, but she's absolutely lying to herself when she says it's only that. she kind of just likes spending time with him. she will never admit this. she would rather die.
she's sprawled in that bar with a drink already, settled on a couch with him, not touching but not far away. she takes a sip from her lemon-y drink, and then:]
I don't know what half of these do. [experiments! investigations!]
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anyway! they're going to practice for the drinking contest!! rondo's been practicing very hard. mostly because he is a knight ardante, and sure, the knights can all gather around the tavern and knock them back with the best of them, but rondo has always been very careful about it - mostly for reason number one, because of the training itself. all the other knights who came into his class trained under hard instructors, sure, but those instructors would even come out to drink sometimes, even if they could be tough in the morning. rondo, however, was the flameguard's apprentice. and sazantos might have killed him, if he came to morning services and training hungover. he would've felt it for years.
so! this requires a lot of training. rondo was not expecting to get stuck in hell considering, let alone in this situation, but he's handled it alright so far. he's gotten to know his comrades, and for as unfair as the entire murdergame part of it all is, some of it is nice. hell is certainly cheerier than he knows it, and - he gets to hang out with people like throné. rondo likes throné a lot. he's known a few thieves in his time, even noble and honorable ones like bargello and levinia, but throné takes the cake. she's fun, and exciting, and she knows about orsterra without knowing about orsterra at all, and he leans right into the familiarity and made fast friends.
as it gets closer to the end, he's ramping up his drink training. and after many bad, awful hangovers, it feels like he's starting to get the hang of it. so, when throné invites him to come hang out, of course he's thrilled. he arrives promptly and on time, and now is waiting for his own drink, which slides across to him in a glass. white... ]
Me either. [ rondo is not bixing he does not take meticulous notes. ] And, I don't think I've tried this one, yet. [ as he gives his own drink a little swirl! it... looks like milk.
he peers over at throné's, though, looking curious immediately. ] What did you order, M- Throné? [ he's learning. after so many weeks, he is learning. ]
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she peers at the drink that he is handed, trying not to smile - her lips are twitching at the edges but she's doing a good job of staying flat-expressioned, as usual. it does in fact look like milk, which would be very funny. it makes her curious as to what the effect could possibly be, but.
she swirls her own drink, and takes another sip.]
Health of Mind was the name, I believe. [she glances over at him, and his drink.] It's not bad. A little boring. You can try it if you'd like.
[offers it to him...] What's yours?
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[ rondo reads this off of the menu. it is comical to anyone who is not a ye olde. or maybe it's just comical for the fact that he says it, and he somehow manages to sound confused when he reads it, brow furrowing. okay. like...you know...nyah.... ]
... Sort of like a cait. [ since they love their cat puns. he takes a little sip of his though, and then looks a little thoughtful, squinting at it. ] It's... well, will you taste it? I don't really taste any alcohol...
[ maybe throné has a more successful palate. he will take the drink, and smiles at her when they trade. ] Thank you! Health of Mind, huh? I'll give it a try. Yours already sounds much more sophisticated than mine was.
[ as he says this with a laugh and a smile, the drink he originally sips from takes its toll. by which i mean, a pair of golden retriever like fluffy ears pop up in the mess of his hair. ]
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[she says, thoughtfully, but then.
okay well the most important thing to note here is that she nearly drops the drink he pushes at her on the floor. the ears popping into existence, surrounded by his already very fluffy hair that she thinks would be fun to pet, is the end for her, actually. she was going to try and respond in any sensible way but there's no chance of that now.
a long pause. and then, her drink kicks in:]
Dog ears. I want to pet them. [
a
she goes violently pink]
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[ ???? ?????? ???? ????? rondo starts looking around, left, then right?? his ears bounce when he does. they fit in so perfectly into his hair. his ponytail looks like a tail. it's ridiculous. ]
Uh. I think someone brought a dog, right? There's got to be a dog around here somewhere...
[ he will find you a dog (he is the dog) he will find ]
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/2
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secret option ④ a little house visit after a fun little jaunt through hell
Truthfully, Therion doesn't know why he's bothering to go about this the stealthy way except that he saw an opportunity in the arrival of a shipment of supplies of some sort or other, and he just couldn't resist. So here he is, sneaking into Ravus Manor. Just like old times.
A scan of the windows tells him one on the second floor is ajar, no doubt to let in the cool evening breeze. And if he remembers the layout right, that's the window to Cordelia's study. Perfect. Time for a quick climb.
If anyone asks, Therion isn't doing this because he cares even the slightest bit about Cordelia Ravus and how she's doing after, well, everything. He's definitely not doing this because he thinks she probably deserves to know what was done with those stones of hers while they were missing, nor because she ought to maybe be given her father's message from beyond the grave. And he's certainly not here to make sure the Dragonstones are still safe because no one should ever fucking open that door again.
No, if anyone asks, he's here because he's just passing through, and maybe a few sociable impulses have rubbed off on him after spending so long traveling with a bunch of weirdos. A normal reason to be breaking and entering.
With a soft huff, Therion finally heaves himself up the last bit of fancy molding (without looking down - one story is not that far, but it's still - no looking down) and onto the window sill, smirking as he sees a light left on the desk along with an inkwell, pen, and a stack of papers. Cordelia must've just stepped away, he presumes.
So (after the softest knock), he hops down from the sill (right foot first) and saunters over, flopping down into the chair and kicking one leg up over an armrest to wait. He pulls an apple out of one of his many hidden pockets and inspects it for any bruising before taking a bite.
Worst case, Heathcote'll come in, and that'll probably suck because Therion definitely does not want to talk about The Gates of Finis and.... all of that with him (not that he particularly wants to talk about it with Cordelia either, but, well...). He isn't too worried even if that does happen, though. His luck has been pretty good so far this evening. Surely that'll continue, right?]
therion can never have anything easy
however. however! when he makes his way out to the cliftlands for a mission, he is almost bowled over by the mission's location - in bolderfall, of all places. it's not a big deal, just seeking out some troublesome monsters and clearing out a cave of a particularly nasty beast for the locals, and it's enough of a not big deal that sazantos sends rondo off on his own. he's probably glad for the break from rondo, but rondo chooses not to think about that, and instead tells himself he won't make a big deal out of it, that he'll stay in the inn and drop off his usual letter to cordelia in person, but he has the (mis?) fortune of running into his beloved younger sister in town.
and so that's led to this! he's agreed to stay the night back in the ravus manor. he doesn't exactly make good money, and the idea of a hot, heathcote cooked meal and time with his sister is such a siren call that he accepts it. it's just one night. nothing weird will happen.
as the evening winds down, rondo finds himself feeling a little antsy. honestly, he's retired to his room for the night, but he wants... he wants to hang out with cordelia a little longer, wants to enjoy one last night catching up with her before he heads back to flamesgrace, restored and refreshed, full of resolve for his path. so!
a little ways after dinner, rondo makes his way to his sister's room. he's not entirely sure if she's there, or not, but - and maybe luckily for therion - he does knock, twice. ]
Cordelia? [ and then pushes the door open, because he's an older brother and -
- well, it's a GOOD THING HE DOES because there is a miscreant!!! in cordelia's room!!! rondo's instincts are good despite anything, and he grabs his sword from his side nearly immediately and draws it in a bright flash of silver and the shink! of sharp metal cutting through the air. ] - By order of the Sacred Flame, don't move!
[ who the heck is this?! an assailant?! who is here to impugn his sister! ]
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Order of the... wait, what the hell is a Knight Ardante doing here? Therion's eyes widen and then narrow as he calculates his options. He can probably make it back to the window and out before the knight can get around the desk, especially if he can make a quick distraction... But first, he has one very pressing question:]
Who the hell are you?
[Despite the instruction not to move, Therion removes his leg from the arm of the chair and sits up straight. He keeps the motion languid, as if he's just shifting to better regard this intruder rather than preparing to bolt. Therion was prepared for a reasonable degree of bullshit from Heathcote today - he was not prepared to try to explain himself to someone who might actually try to arrest him. (Or pretend to - the paranoid corner of Therion's brain wonders if this guy is really a knight or just dressed like one.)]
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admittedly, the question catches him a little off guard, and he blurts -] -- That's what I should be asking you, isn't it?!
[ you're the one in his house!! but stupid immediate question aside, rondo doesn't back off, sword drawn, watching him move warily. he doesn't draw close yet, not wanting to spook this... miscreant off before he knows the actual story. his mind's reeling with it, reeling with a promise he made years and years ago to protect cordelia, the same one he keeps near and dear to his heart, as warm as his sacred flame.
thank aelfric that he decided to stay here, after all. ]
I'm - [ well, he can't say i'm rondo ravus because he's given that last name up, and he doesn't have any right, but he does have a right to protect this house, so rondo reroutes. ] My name's Rondo - that doesn't matter, why are you breaking into my sister's room?
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I'm not breaking in; I'm visiting. [That said...] What do you mean sister?
[He squints at Rondo. The guy does kinda resemble her. Same hair, similar eyes, but...] She's never mentioned you.
[Cordelia'd said her parents died, and it was just her and Heathcote. If he's her brother, then where the hell has he been this whole time? Even if he's a knight, surely they can get leave for that kind of shit, right? Not something he ever thought to ask Eliza about when she'd been traveling with them. And why wasn't this Rondo the one tracking down the damned Dragonstones instead? Or... had he been involved in stealing them for that witch to begin with? Blood ties aren't always a guarantee of any kind of loyalty, after all...
Sure, maybe he's letting his suspicions run away with him a bit, but after everything his group had learned recently, he feels he's entitled to a bit of healthy caution.]
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however. this guy was just... sitting in cordelia's chair, eating an apple like he owned the place. and now he claims to be visiting instead of breaking in. rondo's frown stays, and he does not lower his sword. ] People who visit tend to knock on the front door.
[ so... someone breaking into his sister's room. heathcote would've known about an actual visitor, and somehow, he doubts heathcote knows about this... person. could he be trying to hurt cordelia? kidnap her, steal her away for ransom? or worse... could he have other intentions? impure ones. what if he's trying to romance his sister. what if he's got impure intentions on his 'visit'? what if cordelia's in on it? she's always been more romantic than rondo. his imagination runs away with it, so thank the gods above that therion says something to him.
and there's a beat - she's never mentioned you - and rondo blinks, but nothing really changes, otherwise. it's not surprising: she shouldn't. he just squares his shoulders. ]
I've sworn my life to the Knights Ardante. [ no more ravus, no more dragonstones. ] I just happened to be in town. How many conversations have you had, that you know who or what she mentions?
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Plus, there's something about that pause, that deliberate straightening of the shoulders... Well, if he's a protective older brother, then Therion should probably watch his words here. Buuuuut... he gets the feeling Rondo might be fun to wind up, like Tressa. Then again, maybe the discipline of knight training might counteract that. Only one way to find out! So, he gives a faint smirk.]
Plenty. [Casually, like this is no big deal and definitely a thing he was a willing participant in rather than something he was dragged to by Alfyn Primrose whenever they passed through:] Over afternoon tea, even.
[He takes another bite of the apple.]
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DKSJFL THAT ICON the lightbulb is killing me
sometimes he does rub his braincells together
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there's a joke to be made here about heathcote's unique skillset getting powercrept...
rip heathcote we all get old sometimes
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