"I Am Sure Dareth Has Done A Wonderful Job," Robin Confirms, Quietly Sidestepping The Affirmation That

wadecalhoun​:

          “M’slow to learn, slow to motivate, always have been,” he shrugged carelessly as a zombie lunged at him, kicking them backwards and stabbing them in tandem succinctness. He had worked up to a certain bravado when it came to hunting monsters, but everyone had their limits, covered in an amalgam of blood and sweat, “Well, you know I love a good ass kicking,” he’d set up the joke as the words were heaved from his lungs, understanding full well that Robin would always take note to jab at when he was a mere scrawny kid who was motivated by pure scorn and rage. Now, well, not much had changed except he certainly was not as lost and scrawny anymore. “But, if I did want this show to reach Act Three and move to the closin’ curtain call, you got any ideas how we’d get there, sweetheart?”

...

“Now that is a lie if I have heard one,” there is a thrill of amusement on her voice as she manifests her blade once more and decapitates a nearby ghoul with a swoop. There is much work to be done, mortal and immortals to safeguard from the walking dead, and she cannot do it alone. A warder would come in handy at this time, but all she has available is her human friend. Who happens to know how to fight supernatural due to his own quest to get revenge on a demon. Understandable, perhaps, but she worries this might led him down a path she might not be able to forgive him for taking. “If I remember correctly, you were rather quick to learn what I told you once you admitted to yourself that I was rather too kind and pretty to be a demon.”

The teasing is slow and steady even as she keeps her barrage of attacks steady, ensuring a modicum of protection for the two of them. She is older and better trained, likely to be able to continue fighting for the rest of the night with the magic to bolster her.

“Now that I can believe, but you do have a breathtaking resilience, darling. No matter how many times your pretty ass is knocked down, you always seem to come back up,” her compliment flows smoothly as she raises a palm and utters a few choice words in the old tongue, sending wall of flames around them to incinerate the nearest Terrors. “Not as such, I am afraid. Magic might be able to stop the spell’s area of influence from expanding, but it will require a great deal of power. Otherwise? The spell focus must be broken, but I do not know how to reach it.”

who? @sabinabrutus​

where? the graveyard

Fire is an element that comes to Robin as easy as breathing, an intricate diamond blade set aflame manifesting on her hand as soon as the danger makes itself known. She had sensed the strange magic as soon as it had swept upon Rome, heard the words of the Pythia and felt the dread swept over her as her clairvoyance hit her with the all consuming emotion. Then chaos falls upon the once melodious party and she sets asides her worries to examine later, fire sweeping around her as she hums, the smell of Autumn following her as blistering flames consume Terrors and protect the living. She will not allow harm to befell to anyone, not if she can help it. Eladrin might be her priority, but she would never allow the fate of a Terror befell an innocent soul.

“Down, mortal,” she orders the pretty woman before she sweeps her blade above her and decapitates an unsuspecting Terror.

lainxsolus​:

“I’m well aware of how petty the fey can be. I got turned into a changeling during the masquerade party last year,” Time had dulled the pain he had experienced from the transformation, at least he could openly talk about it now without visibly trembling. Besides, he had survived and the ordeal had made him stronger. When he wasn’t numb to his emotions, he got a little scared. The initial opening himself up to become intimate and vulnerable with someone new was a hurdle that Lain always struggled with. It was easier being alone, but damn if it didn’t hurt like hell. “I don’t actually have fleas,” Lain replied, grinning, “I’ve been wearing my flea collar. Although if you start offering parasite removal services you might just become the most popular person in New Rome.” The lycan closed the short distance between them, lips brushing against Robin’s, his body reflexively flinching at the initial contact before he willed himself to relax against her. His lips continued to move against her’s, muscle memory coming back to him easily even after nearly a year of not kissing another person. It was not like he had not wanted to kiss someone before meeting Robin, but he always managed to talk himself out of it before he even made a move. He pressed her against the wall, hands moving down her body to firmly grip her waist. “There’s cops everywhere, how about we find somewhere more private?”

...

“Oh, you pretty thing, that wasn’t pettiness that was viciousness,” she tuts softly as she raises her hand to brush her knuckles across his cheeks tenderly. She can’t apologize, not when she would have done the same, cannot apologize for Fen’harel’s actions because at the end of the day, she is not above making changeling either. And yet, it would have been such a tragedy to lose the little puppy before they could have their fun. With their current alliance with the Lupo pack, she does not have to worry about a betrayal coming from their side, and that means that she can finally relax and have some fun. By the Seasons she had missed having fun. “Mmm,” she hums thoughtfully as she tilts her head. “I am pleased to know that, and I might even offer you the parasite removal if you are good, but I would never overstep my bounds, not when Zahrya has such a keen interest in the pack,” Robin croons playfully as she tilts her head to make it easier for the lycan to kiss her, moving carefully, as if she were treating a spooked animal. The hand brushing against his cheek slides down until it rests against his neck as she leans into the kiss, allowing him to take the lead as to not to spook him before they have their fun. Stepping back, she feels her back press against the wall and she smiles against his lips, a grin full of mischief. “I am agreeable to that compromise. Do you have any compunctions against fucking in a deserted clearing in the forest or do you prefer a bed?”

"Well, I hope that you have found some peace in your travels. The gods know that I did as I transversed the Otherworld," Robin comments kindly as she steps back from his embrace, missing the lingering warmth already. "I realize you have had a difficult time, even aside the Court Politics," funnily enough, she does not remember the troubles, merely that they are some. "So I am here for anything you need, truly. It is my duty, and my pleasure, to ensure your safety and happiness." Her expression remains vacantly pleasant when he asks for the others, the magic from the satyr's preventing the truth from spilling forth from her lips as she does not remember the truth. "Things are quiet, what with Yavie and Farenduil having joined the troupe, but aside from that, the others are well."

Pure melancholy overcame him. Today's festivities weren't normal. Sure, nothing within Rome really was, but a part of him remained cautious. Some of his cautiousness faded while he was with Robin, however. Knowing she was save and well meant more to him than any suspicions. He'd have to investigate on a later date. "I'm so glad to hear that," he removed himself from her then, though both his hands remained on her shoulders. "I feel... fine. I do. I've been here and there for the most part," all vague answers to questions that prompted a more detailed answer. An answer he wasn't willing to give just yet, "things have been complicated, to say the least. I just had to go," the last sentence was a mere whisper, with Rhovanor choking on his own tears. His face remained somewhat stoic as he fought with his emotions. "How are the others? I hope everyone's doing well, even without me. Because.. you need to move on."

"Now you are bragging," she huffs in amusement before nodding in acquiescence to the silent order. She is capable enough as it is, but it is far better if she allows herself some time to recuperate before they join back into the Titan form. "I will attempt to find Zahrya with the aid of my rotted ones, and I will bring him this way if I do."

Rolling her shoulders, she begins walking away from Aurora, turning her head to the side and waving over her shoulder.

"Me? Die? Please, I am far too stubborn to rest before the job is done. Autumn does not rest until the harvest has been set away for the Winter, and we are not there yet, are we Chancellor?" She asks with a laugh as she turns a corner and her changeling begin falling into step next to her. She leaves Aurora behind with hope on her heart, hope that she will soon see extinguished.

"Not at all," Aurora declared calmly. She would die in this city like her children did if she had to; it was that determination to win and keep their families alive which was the anthem likely singing in each eladrin and elven heart that day. If there's was a hopeless battle than they wouldn't know for sure until they all failed to try to use every bit of what they had to win. Pessimism haunted the elf but she wouldn't let it make her falter.

"Recharge your magic, Chancellor, I will be right here fighting until its done." Though she doubted that one like Robin would stand still until that moment; Aurora only hoped that her old friend remained safe while she worked her blade through these hordes. "One favor: don't die before we make the drow queen pay for this. I'll kill you if you do." While it was meant as a light tease the words themselves were a dark truth. Every drow that was unlike Aegnor or Andruil would perish.

"We are going to have to talk about how formal you are," Robin muses with mild amusement as she bumps her shoulder against Inan's in a friendly manner. It is a small teasing comment, but she means it. She wants the same sort of wardship Laer and Aurora have, one built upon trust and understanding, and the formalities need to go if she wants that to happen. She doesn't want a blindly loyal guard, but a friend and advisor willing to tell her she is wrong and offer her another perspective. Robin knows she is prone to pettiness and cattiness, and she believes that Inan's diligence might prove the perfect counterbalance. "Correct. I need to find Laer first to confirm what the Master of Secrets vacation means for Tamlen, but if he is not gone, then we will likely join in body and soul once more."

The city had fallen into chaos, the King a frenzy of power that Inan had never seen. Hellfire and changelings, his dark blade at his side. A bow of ebony obsidian ringing through the air. The Titan. There was much that Inan was unfamiliar with here, but hunting drow, defending people, and battle were three things that felt as though they had never changed. "Understood," Inan said measuredly, Robin was about as far from Fen'Harel as a person could be and for that he felt that he was grateful. "do you intent to reunite with the others? We were all scattered."

"Nothing more than what you have already willingly given: an introduction and the pleasure of your company," Robin says with a snort, bringing the goblet on her hand to her lips and taking a deep sip from her spiked cider, eyes calm as she takes in the god before her, wondering how he would take her response. "I will not deny that your help would be a boon, but I did not call you here to ask for it. It is not my place to demand for it, particularly not when you are on a vacation at this point in time."

She is not idiotic enough to demand help from a god, specially not the god before her, known for his neutrality. That would be both an insult to her intelligence and one to his character, to believe something as simple as an invitation would convince him to change his mind on an stance that he had kept for far longer she has been alive.

"In reality, I am rather curious about you, now that I have been accepted by the Holt and experienced entropy by myself," she admits with a shrug and take s a deep breath.

Next year, that would have been funny if it weren't so sad. Undoubtedly the chancellor's heart was in the right place, but if he had to ask for an invitation then clearly he wasn't welcome. No, no, he'd already made up his mind: these fey still hated him even after everything that he had done. His family never invited him to reunions either back in the day, not a feast or a single celebration. There was something to be said about not leaving the door open for Death. "Noble creatures," Thanatos said in short after Robin was done licking his boot, cat sidhe were quite particular, they chose nine people to follow before joining them in eterna. So brave, though nobody ever really owned them.

"I'm never summoned for pleasantries," Thanatos admitted, his candour still stifling and unchanged, "you're respectful, I'll give you that, much more than the rest of the inhabitants of Rome. My patience runs deep, but it does have an end; I can only assume that you want something from me." He took a bite of the biscuit he'd been lovingly fixing, delicious, though his features were stilled just the same. Washed down with some mead, beer was more to his taste but he didn't expect the chancellor to know that.

Tati Gabrielle as Prudence Blackwood

"Well that is concerning," she admits as her brows furrows when hearing about Nirvaan's current predicament. There is no doubt that Aurora will want to hear about that, the way she holds her warder dear. Biting her lip thoughtfully as she narrows her eyes, Robin nods to herself as she glances to Inan. "I shall find Laer, I might be running dry magic-wise but I have improved my physical combat skills. Please go to Aurora and tell her about Nirvaan," she says, then hesitates, before continuing, deciding that it is not the time to push. If Inan wants to hide behind his formalities, he shall have them fully. "Good Hunting, Warder Inan. Dar'eth Shiral."

Familiarity had bloomed between himself and Fen'Harel once, Inan wasn't interested in venturing down that path again. Not yet, anways. "Nirvaan was in the forest fighting a drow when everyone fell apart, I saw a demon catch the Spring chancellor, Laer and Aurora I think are there-" Inan pointed, "and there." He thought it was pertinent that Aurora should know her warder was in danger but he kept this notion to himself, Inan was faithful and loyal, he'd do what the chancellor asked of him. He just wasn't' going to start using her first name now. "I'll find them both and then return to you, my lady."

zahryaofspring​:

✿*ﾟ ‘ﾟ･

He is steadfast in his duties as Guardian, protecting life within the forest while ensuring that the other eladrin can continue to feel at home. Zahrya watches and nurtures and does his best to not interfere with the others’ plans for the realm. For now. Still, he’s simultaneously grown restless within the forest and less inclined to leave it. He’s desperate for company, so much so that he’s able to look beyond the wall he’s wanted to keep between him and Robin. “This forest was created in our likeness and I am the most breathtaking of us all. It makes sense,” he agrees as he approaches, still just as susceptible to flattery as ever. “Though don’t think I’ll let the quality of the other sections drop. I observe and care for all within the forest. One day Her Majesty will visit and everything must be perfect for her. A forest teeming with life and laughter is the bare minimum of what she deserves.”

...

“Now that I must respectfully disagree,” Robin begins to say, tone softly teasing and careful. She knows her new position has changed how Zahrya sees her, knows that there is a distance now that had not been there back in Halloween, and yet, she cannot change the facts, cannot change what has happened. If he is to repudiate whatever friendship she offers, he will do so knowing her truly, not a mask she creates to please him above all. After Fen’harel, the Fall Court cannot afford any more lies, not if they want to recover from the betrayal that has not stopped stinging to this day. “I find myself quite breathtaking, and I assume Aurora and Laer believe the same of themselves too. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and so on. That does not detract of the beauty, however, this is truly a piece of the Courts found within the mortal realm.”

She listens to his words and nods in understanding once he is done.

“I would never think that, I am aware and thankful for your commitment to your duties,” she comments, failing to mention the concern she had brought up during Halloween. “I know Her Majesty will appreciate your work.”