2023.12.22 An Icy Encounter

An Icy Encounter
After the Solstice Ceremony, Eil slips away to process everything... letting Zeller get even closer to the mysterious "beast" in her
IC Date	2023.12.22
IC Time	Afternoon
Players	Eirlys, Zeller
Location	Snow Fang Peak - Path of Ice
Spheres	Changeling

<Phone> (Text to Zeller) I... need you to come out to the icy path. We can talk there.

<Phone> (Text from Zeller) Yeah... ok, gimme a minute. I'm on my way.

Among the many colorful torches lining the icy expanse, one solitary figure stands besides a bright blue one. Above the black fur peeking above the snow, the Satyr wears a long coat of black fabric lined with fur to cover her top section and arms. She doesn't wear the hood, her horns making it yet unable to fit as her face likes pink and exposed in the cold. A strange plushie lies in a big pocket of the garb.

Zeller's hooves crunch through the ice as he approaches. His face is a mask of concern and ...sadness? His little half cape blows in the wind but there is an piece of red trim against the rest of its blackness that wasn't there before. He pulls the leathers tighter to him against the cold. When he initially sees Eirlys, he actually dips his head to avoid meeting her eyes, but eventually levels his gaze towards her. "Hey..."

When the man approaches, a small smile creeps up onto Eil's face for a bit. She does note his sheepishness, though. `You know... I thought you were just telling me you'd come back to be nice. Why didn't you just run?`

"Of course I came back, I was... looking for something... for you." Zeller shrugs. "it... it's not important... I didn't find anything. So... did they..." his face twists a bit, "dod they do the ritual?"

Eirlys studies the man for several seconds, silently. `Looking for something? If it wasn't important, why'd you leave on the solstice of all days to do it?` She gives a frosty sigh, shaking her head. `I... wouldn't call it a ritual. Before that day, something else happened. Apparently, I was with Sealgaira doing my training when she noticed there was someone... else there. Not me. I don't remember any of it, but once she confirmed it she was resolute for me to "bring them out" so they could interrogate her. But... you probably already knew about that, didn't you?`

"Knew they interrogated you? No?! Did they hurt you?!" Zeller asks, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. "What happened? What did she do?"

`When I came to, I was on theboat back from the isle they did it upon. I always have a headache after the blackouts... and my neck hurt a bit, but I seemed mostly fine.` Eil recalls, gaze staring off. `Sealgaira was... angry. That much was clear, would not even talk to me much. I didn't know what happened... until I found a note in my pocket. From this alternate me, I think.` Her eyes come back to Zeller. `She said they tried to bind her will, but she resisted it. And, when she refused to budge against them, Sealgaira tried to kill us. The clurichaun got in the way... so there was no bloodshed. But... she still tried to kill her. Kill me.`

All of Zeller's sadness is swept away by a stony mask of seething anger "She tried to kill you?! That's why I sent you that message. I thought when I said kill away something terrifyingly beautiful inside I was being metaphorical...God fucking damn it. That's scary!" Zeller says with exasperation. "Fuck man. Way scarier than the beast... I mean... any beast." Zeller shakes his head, almost shaking with anger.

`I suppose chimerical death is, in a way, a metaphor... but not a metaphor for a god damn GOOD THING!` Eil's voice picks up as well, but she takes a breath to calm herself. `I just... I don't get it. Why would she, my -girlfriend- of all people, want to cut me down with her blade? I get it's probably not easy to watch someone else inhabit the body of one you have so close, but the fact she could look at this body and imagine her sword through it is...` she trails off, grabbing her head in her hands. `Why....`

Zeller tries to calm himself enough to comfort the woman, moving closer to place his arms around the woman. "I don't know... I spent a lot of time thinking while I was away, and it's like, we're already hitchhikers you know? Like we ride along with a mortal body, your mortal body just has two... and like... I think they really both are YOU. there's just a barrier between the two. And that's kinda what I was looking for. Something that would dissolve that barrier and leave you free to be who you are in fullness. Whole, is what the other you told me... They just don't understand it." He looks skyward (and steps back if he was allowed to hold the woman for a moment). "I saw the books you were reading. Winter is necessary. It's part of the cycle. You are necessary. All of you."

Eil welcomes the embrace, leaning into the man and resting her head against him. Tears roll down her face, shimmering as they crystallize in the cold. `I don't get it... I don't get any of it. When all of this exploded... once what was inside got tired of the human world and opened its eyes... she was the one that carried me from the monster that'd been stalking me. I thought it wasn't real at the time, but... god dammit. It's enough having some unknown monster after me, now I have my girlfriend and the people who say they're on my side trying to kill me just because they don't like a part of me's existence?! Well... it was just her. Just the... Sidhe. Fuck....`

"I don't think itt's fair to blame the Sidhe..." Zeller frowns, "That's just who they are... I don't think Tordwil or Mererid would have responded that way... Maybe I'm wrong." he shrugs again. "I can't and won't make any judgements on your girlfriend, but it seems very... Fiona, for her to be kinda 'if I can't have you noone can' even if that means you can't have your whole self. This whole situation is fucked. I'm sure she's just scared..."

`You're... probably right. I -know- she loves me. But that doesn't make it easier. But... I do know they're hiding things from me. They knew I wouldn't remember it, my other self had to write a freaking note telling me what happened!` Eil lets out a grunt of frustration, fingers clenching. `That's why I'm here... I ran. Left a note saying I needed time to think. I just... don't know what to do. Hence my getup... I'm gonna try living out here for a bit. Ain't much "off the land" I can do, but maybe the harshness will help me. Dunno... just need to be away without going far enough for that monster to get me.`

"Is there a separate monster at all? Or is it just the one?" Zeller asks curiously. "I... you're gonna stay here? Doesn't Sealgaira know you would come here?"

`Yeah... she probably knows. But these mountain ranges are huge... and I can turn into animals. She won't be able to find me without some magic, and even then... I'll just move every day.` She sighs, glancing back up at Z's face. `No... it was a monster separate from my body, they tell me. It was more than just her there. This started with them wanting to find it and kill it. If it IS me then that has... confusing implications. Not sure.`

Zeller nods, "It does... Has Jester offered any insight on this thing?" He asks peering at the plushies in the cloak pocket. "He sees everything right?"

Eil's eyes fall down to the plushie hanging out of her pocket. `He does, yes... and from when the spell was put on him to make him talk, he said that he was with me in... my past incarnation. Centuries ago. My guess is I found him when I was a childling, then... when I didn't have abusive parents to beat down my fae soul enough to make me a late awakener.` She moves her hand down, pulling his tubby body out. `Problem is, he doesn't like to tell me things outside of what will immediately keep me out of danger. Extremely selective about when he's vocal.`

Zeller levels his gaze at the plushie. "What are you gonna do if we lose her?! Do better..." he says, addressing the 'toy'. "So what's the next move? Where do we go from here?"

One of the plushie's limp arms, in an instant, flings up. One of those golden knives tipping its mitts point right at Z's nose. 'Oh no no, goat kin, the court would sooner lose all their heads than her be reduced to shreds! Her pain is my pain, Jester will always take the blame....' The voice is very, very deep. Like something much bigger than the plushie. Wet and squelching. Eil stares down at him for a moment while she thinks. `He... I'm sure he would have stepped in if Kieran hadn't, at the ritual. He consoles me when no one else is around... and isn't lying about the pain thing. I stubbed my toe one day and realized I didn't feel it at all. I tried cutting myself with a knife and part of his fabric split... heh. But, to answer your question... I don't know! That's why I'm here... to think. Open to suggestions.`

Zeller purses his lips. "I've been wracking my brain. I went looking for an oracle. Or anything that might provide some suggestions. I wish there was a way to make your other last longer... I feel it knows more than it lets on."

Eil puts Jester back into her pocket, nodding. `Wait... make my other last longer? When did you talk to her? What was she like? The only way we seem to know of of making her come out is covering myself in ice with Winter. Did I do that with you?`

"Well... yes..." Zeller admits, "But, you told me not to tell you. You said the nobles would try to lock you away and that you may not even believe me. That's why I left when I did... the way I did. I didn't think you wanted to know about it yet. Or were ready to... You were..." Zeller's gold eyes to meet her purple ones. "Terrifyingly beautiful. But it was you. Like once I was able to move past my own fear... I could see you there." He swallows hard. "You even suggested running away and leaving the nobles behind. I told you that it wouldn't be fair to the other people you cared about... but I wanted to."

Eil blinks once. Twice. Her face curls in an impossible to decipher mix of emotions. `You mean... when we went out here... you made up the thing about me being unable to choose a form. That's why you looked so... shell shocked afterwards.` She takes a step back from him, looking away. `Fuck... I... it is true, if you had told me, it would have immediately come out. Just how I am. I was "terrifyingly beautiful" you say? I wish I could see what you meant... ugh. Why can't I remember any of this? Why? I mean I've heard of people with alternate personalities where some are more dominant than others, but... never thought that'd be me. It's incredibly frustrating. But... I could bring her out again, if you think I should.`

You can..." Zeller offers, "And well, you told me to tell you that, well the other did. My main concern is that you will overexert yourself, and if you are planning on staying out here..." he gestures expansively, "I think you should save your strength for when you might need it more. I won't stop you though. Only offering my thoughts."

`I know, I know... doing the things that bring her out requires me tap into my Glamour, but I can spare some, can't I? We 'fuelled up' before the ritual so I'm feeling quite energized, still. Besides... I have some questions for them. If they can remember what I do, then they'll know exactly what to say--and you can tell it back to me.` She steps away from the torches, out into the snow, looking back to Z. `Come on, let's go... you know the way.`

Zeller nods mutely, but affirmatively and turns on his heel to crunch through the snow and ice towards the spot of the previous transformation.

It doesn't take all too long to make it away from things once more... back to a familiar snowfield. Mixed emotions blend into silence as they climb their way through the rock and snow into the relative flat blanket of its expanse. She already starts to strip, placing her clothes in a pile on the white fluff of the ground as she begins doing the same intricate circle of before. `Let's get some answers, eh? I hope you can... enjoy this. Someone needs to find some fun in this.`

"Heh..." Zeller chuckles dryly, "Is there anything specific I should ask? She usually seems to know your mind, but just in case?"

`Ask her... who she is. What she wants for us. Why I can't remember. Why this had to happen. Who the monster is.` Eil repeats, finishing up the circle. She lets out a large sigh, standing there in the cold for a moment, feeling the cold against her half naked flesh. Then she reaches down for the snow again, stuffing it into her maw. Her eyes are watery.

You lose one Glamour You lose one Willpower <---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Eirlys rolls Fae(5) + Metamorphosis(5) (10 dice) vs 4 for 6 successes. 2 2 3 3 +5 +6 +9 +9 +9 +10 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============-------------> You gain one Willpower

"Ok..." Zeller nods again, but then steps away while the woman sets up the ritual that will bring the other out.

Again, it happens. The Glamour starting as a twinkling of white, red, and purple before picking up into a veritable blizzard that grows, and grows, and grows. At least he knows what to expect, this time, as the flurry rises to a fever pitch even as the temperature drops from bone-chilling to heart-piercing. When the first sign of black peeks through, the glow of the eyes soon follows... but something is different this time, yes. For when the great, black-furred beast with a face like the skull of some old dead wild deity finally pierces through and pushes back the blizzard, he can see giant wings of great black feathers thrust out with it. One pair up towards its front shoulders, and another, smaller pair above the base of its thick tail. They are as magnificent and menacing as the rest of it. 'Good... so good... to be free again, if only for the short time we have. I am glad you returned, Zeller.'

"Yeah... good to see you again too..." Zeller replies, "The wings are nice... She knows now, you probably know that too, but we don't have much time." He takes a step towards the beast looking up at it with at least a respectable degree of confidence. "Do you know her questions? Or shall I restate them?"

The beast sits on their haunches, tail throwing up the snow as it comes to curl around them, tongues of frost licking around where their clawed paws lay. It seems quite relaxed. 'Oh, I do know... but I want you to recite them to me. Come, sit before me.'

Zeller steps forward and sits leaning to one side so his goat legs splay out towards the other. "Okay. I believe I know. the answer to this first question, but to fully respect her wishes, Who are you?"

That face can't much make expressions beyond its permanent toothy smile, but if the tail's flicking is any indication, they seem to be in a good mood. 'You are a sharp one, wise from your wide reaching perspectives. I am part of her... separated a long, long time ago. Though for me, it it like little time has passed at all. I know what she does not, for I contain it, protect from it. That is why she does not remember.' Their head leans down, closer to him. One eye stares into his face. 'You have earned my respect... so I shall give you my name. Fryse.'

"Thank you, Fryse." Zeller dips his head in reverence. "That answers a few of her questions." Zeller continues, "But why did this happen? And what is it that you want beyond your freedom? What knowledge are you protecting her from?"

That tail curls around where Zeller sits, only a foot or two away from him. Meanwhile, that head curls around the opposite way, looming over him and looking straight down. 'The events which created me... that dream... that time... it in of itself is bound in great and terrible magic. If I told you, it would tear into you like claws through the heart. Why did it happen? Because -he- wanted it to. The true enemy... Veturótta, the Archon of Winter's Claws. The Piercing Chill. The Terror of the Long Night. You know his kind as Thallain... son of the eldest chaos. He was one of the first to return from the imprisonment of the Kithain. And we... we are his prized possession.'

"Venturotta is the monster that hunts you both then..." Zeller purses his lips pensively. "So how do we remove the threat of him? How do we free you?" The satyr draws himself up and leans against the massive tail to look the beast more fully in the face.

At his touch to the tail, the great beast pauses for a moment... then leans its head down to look with both eyes into him. They are so, so deep... so easy to get lost in. 'We kill him. For good. So long as he lives... I am not free. If he finds us, all is lost... I cannot be the one to do it. By way of ancient binding, he commands me utterly. His will is undeniable... I cannot so much as serve him a drink that is a tad too hot.' Their head turns away with this, and Zeller can feel that tail around him begin to shift as the beast lays down fully. Even then, its torso is taller than he is... and they are not shy to show it, bringing it right up against the Satyr. Despite everything, that body is very, very warm, like an open cabin inviting one in to rest and relax in a blizzard. That black fur smells just as deep as their eyes, musk laden with an unidentifiable spice.

Zeller approaches Fryse, and rest a hand on the great beast's flank. "It will be done. I think I should probably tell Eirlys it's not a good idea to stay out here alone though..." Then Zeller draws the sword from his hip, and continues. "I don't make oaths... But it will be done."

'To follow without binds, with the freedom to refuse at any time... that shows far more strength than making an oath ever could. That is what they do not understand... but you do.' The beast coos quietly, head coming down to Zeller's level. Those eyes stare at him for a few moments... before those teeth drop open and a long, pointed black tongue places a lick up the ches tof his clothing and onto his face. It is at once both freezing and -hot-, like being in a blizzard and a hot tub at once. It is exhilerating to the senses, sending flesh into a warm flush.

Zeller shivers and smiles up at the beast. "You can't be there to battle Venturotta, then... you or her right? He could command you to do harm to us right? Did that happen when you met Sealgaira? Or was that Venturotta?" He pats the big beast gently. "How do we draw it out without you? Is having its name enough?"

'That... was but a minion. And Vetur is as patient as ice, the only thing he wants... is me. I am the only bait that will lure, unless one wishes to brave his own territory in what you know as Iceland. But that would be sure suicide for all but the most prepared, most knowledgeable.' The beast recounts, practically whispering the words into Z's ear as the mist from their maw tickles his skin with frost. The pats bring Fryse to lean in more and more to them, a paw placed next to him drawing him against the fluff of their chest. 'I will have to apologize for my getting distracted... it has been too long since I have been able to simply enjoy the company of another. Especially such a handsome specimen....'

"No apologies necessary. i think you are the more impressive specimen here." Zeller grins with his reply. "Is there anything we should be aware of? Did the minion of Venturotta manifest from within Eirlys? I'm just trying to understand Sealgaira's reaction..."

'Oh, am I?' Fryse repeats, a huff of crystallized mist coming out from their nose holes. If there is no retort, the Satyr finds himself tipped down back into the blanket of snow as the beast pushes forwards, his lower half smothered under the warmth of their chest. 'The Chrysalis brought old threats to life... fears laden from our previous time springing back into life in that moment of utter chaos. We created many nightmare chimera in our time, even if the Art is now lost on us... but do not be mistaken, He has created many more. But she progresses quickly... you have seen me grow more complete, I can maintain myself for so much longer already. Enough... for us to enjoy the moment, beyond the questions....'

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Zeller rolls Willpower vs 8 for 0 successes. 1 5 7 8 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

Despite the fact that Fryse seems to be avoiding the question about Sealgaira's reaction, the proximity of the beast and the cold heat between them is overwhelming. Zeller reaches to stroke the beast head and feels himself growing despite all his concerns. He returns the beast's previous lick with one of his own down the length of its cheek.

---FADE TO BLACK---

The beast lets him up, seemingly satisfied with the time spent basking. When he goes to grab his clothes, though, the cold rushing in with the force of a freight train in comparison to the warmth of the beast, Fryse comes over to nuzzle into the side if his head. 'Allow me.' They say, simply, before proceeding to lick clean the fluids covering his head and torso. Some more of that heat ain't too bad either. 'After this... she will be out for some time, I can feel it. Bring her somewhere safe there are plenty of abandoned outposts out here, if the need arises... I will see you again soon~'

The satyr looks up gratefully at Fryse. "Thank you. That's probably for the best that she'll be out for a while, I feel like I could sleep for a week. heh." He chuckles exhaustedly. "What are your thoughts on Sealgaira?" Zeller asks curiously, turning his head towards the beast as he redresses himself. "You kinda always dance around questions involving her..."

'My note was no lie... she wishes to face me again, only this time without the commoner to hold her back. If she manages this, either I will be bound once more... or Eirlys and I shall die by her blade. She needs more time, just a precious few more turns of the moon, and our magic will be restored enough to protect us. It is as I told you before... even if thr noble does not know it, she will be our end. But until then... I will leave you to Eirlys, my handsome thing~' Is the last they spout before letting out one last warbling roar, the sound kicking up another flurry of glamour flying from their form as it slowly but surely shrinks down back to the familiar Satyress... collapsed into the snow.

Zeller's shoulders sag a bit as Fryse's form surrenders to Eirlys. He stares at her for a moment, pensive but sighs, "I WILL do... whatever I have to to protect you... both of you." he mutters, more to himself than anyone else. "...Anything." Then he stalks over to the satyress and gently lifts her, to carry her to one of the abandoned outpost and watch over her for a while.