Rissada - Session 36.5

Returning to the guild after a difficult foray into Athel's manor, Nalzij finds herself playing watchdog to a succubus and a group of vampires, to make sure they don't get up to any trouble.

Lorelei walks happily along, carrying along a surprisingly large haul of valuables from the manor.
Dahlia: "Thank you for helping us, Lorelei."
Lorelei hums.
Selani Pellborough: "In her own little world, that one."
Nalzij: "At least it seems to be a happy one. Anyway, thanks."
"Dahlia, it sounded like you have a better idea of what to do about this?"
Dahlia: "Well..."
"About having them work for us... What about tending the manor?"
Selani Pellborough: "Yeah, that's the kind of thing that would be perfect. I mean, we were basically already doing it for so long, right?"
Nalzij: "We've been relying on it as a safe haven for the refugees... I guess it could work, but if anyone goes missing again, this is your only second chance, got it?
Dahlia: "If we need to, we might be able to come up with a way to help secure things?"
Selani Pellborough: "Right, right..."
Lorelei sets the supplies down, fishing out some worn parchments from them and offering them to Nalzij.
Lorelei: "Proof...? Trust...?"
Nalzij takes the parchment, looking over it.
The basics of the parchment are apparently for a contractual agreement between parties as typically used in law. No contract is written in it at the moment, however.
Selani Pellborough: "Besides, we'd probably be able to do something to the place if you give us the time, too."
"Did you see that garden out back of the old master's place?"
Nalzij: "What about it?"
Selani Pellborough: "Athel didn't really care about it. It was basically made and tended to just by us maids."
Nalzij: "Hope Engir wakes up soon, he'd be better with something like this..."
Selani Pellborough: "...Well, okay, only some of the maids."
Dahlia: "Ah?"
"You two?"
Selani Pellborough: "I'm not an outdoors type, admittedly."
Selani Pellborough looks at Lorelei.
Selani Pellborough: "...She's weird."
Lorelei appears to have returned to working with the supplies, moving to another room and putting some things away.
Nalzij: "That's nice, but... gardens aren't really the important thing here. As far as I'm concerned, it's worth trying to make it work, but I'll have to talk to the others about the details."
Selani Pellborough: "Yeah, I get it. You don't really trust any of us."
Dahlia: "Hmm..."
"Maybe we could keep them away from the beastkin?"
Catkin Maid: "Beastkin...?"
Dahlia: "We could ward the doors leading to places that could be risky to have them in."
Catkin Maid: "Brothers? Sisters? Here?"
Dahlia: "Some.."
Nalzij: "Yeah, they're here. A lot of them, anyway."
Catkin Maid: "I want to tell them I'm okay, meow... I want to help, meow..."
"But... I'm not trusted either, am I, meow...?"
Nalzij: "You think you could help teach them to speak?"
Catkin Maid: "Teach to speak, meow...?"
Catkin Maid seems to be thinking about it.
Dahlia: "It would be very useful to be able to communicate with them..."
Nalzij: "I trust you more than the others, anyway. I can tell you don't want this."
Catkin Maid: "I... don't know how, meow. I wasn't taught, meow."
"I don't, meow..."
"You said... there might be a way to fix me, meow?"
"Bring me... back from the dead, meow?"
Nalzij: "Maybe. I hope so. I don't know."
Catkin Maid: "It's the only thing keeping me going now, meow."
"I'd rather be dead than have to be a monster, meow..."
Selani Pellborough: "You should try embracing your fate a little more. It's actually quite convenient."
Lorelei: "Bliss...♪"
Nalzij: "Hm. What about you, Dahlia? Would you rather have your old form back, if you could?"
Dahlia: "I'm... not sure."
"This form itself..."
"Isn't too bad... Though some... Thoughts still linger in my mind..."
"Various bad things I could do... And various ways to corrupt or trick people..."
"But I've been able to keep them at bay."
Selani Pellborough: "Huh? Why keep them at bay? Wouldn't you rather have some fun?"
Nalzij: "Right, one thing first. You, Selani."
Selani Pellborough: "Yeah?"
Nalzij: "I'll work on the official contracts later. For now, your word will have to do. No harming anyone else. At all, in any way. Clear?"
Selani Pellborough: "..."
"Define 'harming'."
Nalzij: "Don't... I don't even know where to start with this! Don't do anything I wouldn't want you doing!"
Dahlia: "We need to be able to trust you."
"If we can't..."
Dahlia glances at Nalzij.
Selani Pellborough: "I don't know what it is you wouldn't want me to do."
"And 'don't harm anyone at all in any way' kind of means I can't even get the blood I need to live."
Nalzij: "Okay. Don't harm anyone else without my explicit permission. Drinking a safe amount of blood from someone willing is allowed."
"Beyond that, I guess you'll just have to play it safe, won't you?"
Dahlia: "And no beastkin..."
Selani Pellborough: "...Right. So no blood from anyone unless I get permission first, and not from any of the beastfolk."
"Though if they can't talk as you were implying, it's not like they could give permission anyways."
Nalzij: "Or the children. No matter what."
Selani Pellborough: "Or kids. Okay."
Nalzij: "...You seem to doubt just how much I'm willing to cut you down where you stand."
Dahlia: "We will work to provide some way to feed you though."
"If... All else fails, I would be willing to handle one of you..."
Selani Pellborough: "...Can I ask a hypothetical question, at least?"
Nalzij: "Okay?"
Selani Pellborough: "Let's say, one of the residents. Not a beastkin and not a child. One of the adult human or humanoid residents thinks being a vampire might be nice. That's okay, right, to help them out on that?"
Nalzij: "No turning anyone else into a vampire!"
Selani Pellborough: "Not even if they ask?"
Dahlia: "Especially not Pitch!"
"Err... aye."
Selani Pellborough turns to Dahlia.
Nalzij: "No. Just... no. Not at all."
"...let's get something straight. Why am I letting you live? Make it a better reason than gardens."
Selani Pellborough: "Well, I'm not the garden type anyways."
Dahlia: "To redeem them."
Selani Pellborough: "It's because I was gonna help out with the inside of the manor. Dusting and sweeping and cleaning and all that."
Nalzij: "I don't care about the inside of the manor. Dahlia has it right. I'm just trying to give you a chance to do something good with whatever remains of your lives. Which you seem intent on not doing."
Dahlia: "Mmm... Maybe it's just from being around Athel for so long."
Selani Pellborough: "I didn't become a vampire because I wanted to do anything 'good' with my life, miss."
Dahlia: "If she's away from him... Maybe she'll improve?"
"You were transformed willingly?"
Selani Pellborough: "Yeah?"
"Some people like being vampires."
Dahlia: "A-ah..."
Selani Pellborough: "Whether you like it beforehand or come to like it afterward doesn't matter in the long scheme of things."
"Lorelei's one of the 'afterwards'. The cat will probably get used to it eventually as well."
Catkin Maid: "N-no... I don't want to, meow..."
Dahlia: "What was your life like, Selani? Before you were... Changed."
"Did you truly imagine yourself a predator and a servant for eternity?"
Selani Pellborough: "Well, I was already a predator in a sort. I liked to marry rich guys, and end up inheriting their money, either through getting them found guilty of something or them ending up dead."
"I guess they'd call me a sort of black widow?"
Dahlia: "W-wow..."
"(Does that mean she...)" says Dahlia with a light blush.
Dahlia turns to Nalzij. "But... Still... She might be able to be redeemed... Maybe?"
Selani Pellborough: "So, yeah, the power of being a vampire kinda fit naturally. Athel showed up, and I took the offer and became his servant."
"I had a couple thralls of my own back at the manor, too. Though I guess they're dust now."
Nalzij: "...Maybe. But that's true of everyone. Sad as it is, what matters is when is that chance worth the risk."
Selani Pellborough looks to Dahlia.
Selani Pellborough: "I get the feeling I'm not saying what she wants to hear."
Nalzij: "You're really not."
Dahlia: "She'd prefer it if you were... More willing, I'd imagine."
Selani Pellborough: "Willing to what?"
"I've agreed to serve as a maid in your manor, and it's not like I sleep so that's a lot of work done."
Dahlia: "You don't show a lot of guilt, so she finds it hard to bring herself to give you a chance... I think."
Selani Pellborough: "...Guilt? What was it I was supposed to feel guilty for, again?"
Dahlia: "Hurting people."
Nalzij: "...just start with everything you've mentioned about your old life."
Selani Pellborough: "Yeah?"
"They were gullible old coots. If they got fooled by sweet looks, then they deserve what happened, yeah?"
"Law of the jungle and all that."
Nalzij: "That's not how it's supposed to be. And frankly, telling me people are fools for trusting you isn't really a good idea for you right now."
Selani Pellborough: "Well, I'm coming clean, aren't I?"
Dahlia: "Aye... But we need to be able to trust that you won't break your promises..."
Nalzij: "Is there anything or anyone else you care about? Anything you hope for?"
Selani Pellborough: "Care about? Hope for?"
"The answer to both of those is power."
"Having power and strength over others is such an exhilarating thrill."
"I mean, I was nervous the first time I tried to pull one over someone, everyone is their first time."
"But once you have the feeling of being in control, after so long of being the weak one..."
Nalzij: "Do you remember ever trying to help others?"
Dahlia: "After being weak?"
Selani Pellborough: "I helped others become vampires."
Nalzij: "Why?"
Selani Pellborough: "To give them a taste of power."
"While, at the same time, I had power over them."
"It's kind of a win-win."
Nalzij glances at Dahlia skeptically.
Dahlia: "I-I'm better now... I know what I did was wrong..."
"It was... The temptation was... So much at that time..."
Selani Pellborough: "So... just to get things straight, what you want is for me to pretend to be a good girl, never take advantage of naive idiots, never hurt people, and be an upstanding member of society?"
Nalzij: "Right."
Selani Pellborough: "Give me a day or two to think it over. I'll be at the old manor."
Selani Pellborough turns to leave.
Nalzij: "No."
Catkin Maid moves to try to stop Selani.
Selani Pellborough: "H-hey."
Nalzij goes to block her way out.
Dahlia: "Selani..."
"Please let us help you..."
Selani Pellborough: "Help? I've never been better!"
Dahlia: "I mean..."
Nalzij: "Tell me honestly, Dahlia. It looks like you recognize some of your own feelings in her, but do you really think she'll change?"
Dahlia: "I'm... Not sure."
"She's been... 'changed' longer than I have."
Lorelei finishes stocking supplies, turning back to find the group up in arms.
Lorelei: "Selani...?"
Nalzij: "If she were something else... maybe I'd give her a chance anyway. But a creature whose entire life - or whatever it is - depends on stealing from others will have to do a little more to justify it."
Dahlia: "Is being a vampire that different from what happened to me?"
"Is draining blood that much different than... What I do..."
Nalzij: "You're trying to be better. I've seen it. She's not."
Dahlia: "True..."
Nalzij: "Maybe that would change eventually. But how many could she hurt, kill, or worse in the meantime?"
Dahlia: "Lorelei... Can you help Selani understand?"
Lorelei: "Selani... I..."
Selani Pellborough: "I really don't think this whole system is going to work out."
"Are you going to keep me here against my will?"
Nalzij: "You're not leaving, that much is sure."
Selani Pellborough: "How do you intend to stop me?"
Nalzij: "You think I can't?"
Lorelei: "Selani, stop... friends..."
Selani Pellborough: "For you, maybe, but I've never cared about that kinda thing."
"A person you're on equal footing with is just someone you're not in control over!"
Dahlia: "What if they're stronger than you?"
"Nalzij is... Strong."
Selani Pellborough: "Then you play it nice while quietly seeking to wrest control from them."
"Not stronger than me, I bet."
Catkin Maid: "Please stop, meow..."
Dahlia: "You've existed for so long. Do you really want it to end now, Selani?"
Nalzij: "You've got two simple choices here. You play by my rules and not hurt others, or you can wager your life on that strength."
Selani Pellborough: "My life's not gonna end now! It's gonna keep going!"
Selani Pellborough 's form begins to waver, before dissipating into a cloud of mist, slipping through the catkin's grasp and seeking to exit the guild.
Nalzij: "Dahlia, watch the others!"
Dahlia nods.
Dahlia: "I will."
Nalzij moves to follow the mist cloud, drawing her sword.

Nalzij follows the mist-form Selani all the way to the exit of the underground, where the cloud suddenly freezes, as beams of light threaten to shine from the rising sun.
Nalzij: "What are you going to do now?"
The mist cloud reforms into Selani, looking quite frustrated.
Selani Pellborough: "I really wasn't expecting it to be dawn so soon."
"Looks like I have no choice."
"I guess I'll play nice?"
Nalzij: "No. I'm sorry, but I don't think I can give you that chance again. You've proven you can't be trusted."
Selani Pellborough: "Come on. You know I was just kidding with that stuff. You know. A joke?"
"I've decided I will take that offer of yours. Really!"
Nalzij: "You've said you were stronger than me. Ready to prove it?"
Selani Pellborough: "Guess I've got no choice!"
Selani Pellborough enters an aggressive stance, staring at Nalzij.

[Selani - Initiative: 5.01
Nalzij - Initiative: 1.99]

Selani Pellborough immediately moves to try to grab onto Nalzij, intent to gain some degree of advantage.
[Selani : Grapple Check: 15]
Selani Pellborough's attempt is brushed off by Nalzij's heavy armor, however.

Nalzij hews at Selani, maintaining her position in the tunnel.
[Nalzij : Longsword
Attack: 10, Damage: 9
Attack: 16, Damage: 14]
Selani Pellborough is struck by the blade, a cut only mildly mitigated by her unholy nature.

Selani Pellborough attempts to grapple with Nalzij again, attempting to establish a dominating position.
[Selani : Grapple Check: 19]
Selani Pellborough gets a grip on Nalzij, grinning.

Nalzij growls back at Selani, trying to swing her sword.
[Nalzij : Longsword
Attack: 13, Damage: 13
Attack: 12, Damage: 12]
Selani Pellborough barely manages to dodge the blade as she maintains a grip on Nalzij.

Selani Pellborough attempts to push Nalzij down further, attempting to gain full control.
[Selani : Grapple Check: 13]
Selani Pellborough fails her attempt, Nalzij breaking free of the grapple.
Selani Pellborough: "Listen, it's honestly a good feeling. You'll become so much stronger."

Nalzij continues hacking away.
[Nalzij : Longsword
Attack: 26, Damage: 10
Attack: 13, Damage: 14]
Selani Pellborough takes another cut from the longsword, wincing.
Nalzij: "Small problem with trying to corrupt a paladin. I stand to lose at least as much power as I might gain."
Selani Pellborough: "Small problem with trying to defeat a vampire. My wounds have healed already from our last fight, while you've had to fight so much more."

[Selani : Grapple Check: 14]
Selani Pellborough attempts to grab Nalzij again, but slips up, failing.
Nalzij: "Doesn't look like that will be enough for you."
Selani Pellborough: "Can't blame a girl for trying, can you?"

[Nalzij : Longsword
Attack: 24, Damage: 10
Attack: 4, Damage: 11]
Nalzij lands another cut into Selani, slowing wearing the girl down.

Selani Pellborough: "Ungh, right... grabbing doesn't seem productive, so..."
Selani Pellborough tries to bash into Nalzij, inflicting a more direct form of damage.
[Selani : Unarmed Strike
Attack: 9, Damage: 2]
Selani Pellborough fails miserably, however.
Nalzij: "You can't really tell me you thought that would go better."

Nalzij makes a counterattack of her own.
[Nalzij : Longsword
Attack: 21, Damage: 10
Attack: 3, Damage: 8]
Selani Pellborough takes another hit, wincing.

Selani Pellborough: "Well, in between braving the sun and dealing with your thick head..."
Selani Pellborough turns, beginning to flee from Nalzij.
[Nalzij : Longsword Attack of Opportunity
Attack: 16, Damage: 15]
Selani Pellborough is knocked down onto the ground by Nalzij before she makes it to the exitway.

Selani Pellborough: "L-look. You've made your point. You're stronger than me. I give!"
Nalzij: "I think you understood from the start what was going on here."
Selani Pellborough: "I-it's not too late, you know! You can redeem me! I'll play nice and not hurt any of the little kitties and doggies."
"W-what about Lorelei? You've seen how out-of-it she is. Who's going to keep an eye on her if I'm gone?"
Nalzij: "I wish I could give you that chance safely. But I can't. You're just strong enough that I can't."
Nalzij brings her sword down onto the fallen vampire.
[Nalzij : Longsword
Attack: 18, Damage: 15
Attack: 19, Damage: 8]
Selani Pellborough screams as Nalzij's sword cuts her form down, causing it to break apart into mist, which gets quickly swallowed up by the embarking sunlight.
Nalzij sighs and turns to go back to the guild, after watching for a moment more to be sure she's really gone.

Lorelei: "...Selani?"
Dahlia: "How did things go?"
Nalzij: "...I'm sorry it came to that. But I couldn't just let her go."
Dahlia: "Ah..."
"I'd really hoped she'd understand."
Lorelei: "...Master... friend. Selani... not."
Catkin Maid: "You killed her, meow...?"
Catkin Maid seems to be looking fearful...
Dahlia tries to comfort Lorelei.
Nalzij: "What about you, Lorelei? Will you try not to hurt others?"
Lorelei nods.
Lorelei: "No beast... no child... no unwanted?"
Nalzij: "Right. And no turning anyone else into a vampire, even if they want it."
Lorelei nods.
Lorelei: "...Favor?"
Nalzij: "Yes?"
Lorelei: "Vampire... secret. Only one... meal?"
Nalzij: "Secret? One meal?"
Dahlia: "What do you mean?"
Lorelei thinks to herself for a bit.
Lorelei: "Lorelei... vampire... secret."
Dahlia: "Ah."
"You want us you keep your nature a secret?"
Lorelei: "Blood... only one."
"...Confidant."
Nalzij: "You only want blood from a single person?"
Lorelei nods again.
Lorelei: "Vampire... scary?"
"...friends."
Lorelei seems to be having difficulty articulating her words.
Dahlia: "Do you want someone specific?"
Nalzij: "Right, good question."
Lorelei: "Someone... trust."
Dahlia: "Who?"
Lorelei: "Trust... Lorelei?"
Nalzij: "...against all my better judgment, I am beginning to trust you, somewhat."
Dahlia: "I do as well."
Nalzij: "Let me just get one thing straight. I don't plan to kill either of you. I didn't kill Selani for what she was, but for what she did. You may not be able to choose what you are, but you can choose at least some of what you do."
Lorelei nods.
Lorelei: "Want... stay... vampire."
"Other... vampire... no."
Catkin Maid: "I just want to be normal, meow..."
"It feels like I've never gotten a life, going straight from property to monster, meow..."
Dahlia: "We will do our best to give you one."
Nalzij: "And you can do your best to help your sisters live real lives."
Catkin Maid: "I'd like to, meow."
Lorelei: "Sisters..."
Nalzij: "I'll work out the contracts with Engir once he wakes up. I don't want to get anything wrong or leave things out. You can go ahead and stay here for now."
"...Dahlia. You really are on our side again, huh?"
Catkin Maid: "I can't go see my sisters yet, meow?"
Dahlia: "I am... Despite my past... I've done my best to learn from my mistakes."
Nalzij: "Hm... You can. After everything you've said, I think you can resist any temptation at least for tonight."
Nalzij holds out a hand to Dahlia.
Dahlia takes her hand.
Nalzij: "I believe you. Sorry I doubted you before. It's good to have you back."
Dahlia: "Thank you... And thank you for letting me seek to redeem myself."
Catkin Maid starts looking around for beastkin.
Dahlia: "Ah, they're not down here."
Catkin Maid: "Meow?"
Nalzij gestures toward the door to the stairs.
Catkin Maid: "This way, meow?"
Nalzij: "Yeah. You can see them, but... one second."
Nalzij searches the desk for something to write on and with.
Nalzij pens a quick note to Antille, and hands it to the catkin.
Nalzij: "There's a foxkin taking care of them. When you see him, give him this."
Catkin Maid nods, not sure what the note says, and goes to try the door.
Catkin Maid: "EEK!"
Nalzij: "What's wrong?"
Catkin Maid: "The door huuuurts, meow..."
Nalzij: "...Oh. It's still consecrated, isn't it."
Catkin Maid: "Conse...meow?"
Nalzij: "I'll make sure you get to see them later, okay?"
Catkin Maid: "Meow..."
Catkin Maid looks dejected...
Nalzij: "It won't be much longer."
Catkin Maid: "Okay, meow..."
"I'll trust you, meow. You've been nice to me, meow."
"You'll... really try to find a cure, right, meow?"
Nalzij: "I give you my word. I'll try to find a cure, and make sure you can see your sisters."
Dahlia: "We will."
Catkin Maid: "Thank you, meow..."
Catkin Maid retreats from the door, nursing her hand.
Lorelei stares at the group, looking mildly amused.
Nalzij: "What about you, Lorelei? You'll be fine staying here for now?"
Lorelei nods.
Lorelei: "...Mistress...?"
Nalzij: "...me?"
Lorelei nods again.
Nalzij: "What is it?"
Lorelei: "Hungry..."
Lorelei looks apologetic.
Nalzij: "...go ahead, then."
Lorelei: "...who...?"
Nalzij: "Who do you want it to be?"
Lorelei: "Mistress... okay...?"
Nalzij: "Yes."
Lorelei moves towards Nalzij, trying to be careful not to make any abrupt movements.
Nalzij tries to stand still and not look hostile as much as possible, despite being visibly somewhat unnerved.
Lorelei unveils sharpened fangs, biting into Nalzij's neck carefully. After a short time, she retreats.
Lorelei licks her lips.
Lorelei: "Mistress... delicious...♪"
Nalzij: "...this will take getting used to. Good enough for now?"
Lorelei nods.
Lorelei: "Tomorrow... more, okay...?"
Nalzij: "Alright. I guess that's not so bad..."
Lorelei: "Now... work♪"
Lorelei wanders further into the guild, seemingly intent on finding a broom.
Nalzij shakes her head in confusion at the whole situation.
Catkin Maid: "I'll try to help too, meow."
"I'll work and clean and dust, meow."
"So please don't kill me, meow..."
Nalzij: "I won't. I don't want to hurt you at all. But I understand that's a little hard to believe right now."
Catkin Maid: "Sorry, meow..."
"I don't want people to know, either, meow."
"The big guy said I could feed off of him, meow. So I don't need to hurt a sister, meow."
Nalzij: "Right. I think Antille should know, but otherwise, I'll keep it a secret."
Catkin Maid: "Thank you, meow..."
Nalzij: "...I really need rest. Everything else can wait."
"Thanks for the help, Dahlia. Maybe later you can tell me more about what happened to you. It would be good to know."
"Maybe we can go do some shopping in the city, even. You mentioned needing real clothes."
"(And I wouldn't mind some advice on looking a little more feminine...)"
Dahlia: "It would be nice to do something a bit normal for a while, sure."
"(And I can do my best~)"
Catkin Maid: "Can I have clothes too, meow?"
"This is the only outfit I've ever worn, meow..."
Nalzij: "Of course. I'll make sure you have things of your own. After I get some sleep, okay?"
Catkin Maid nods.
Catkin Maid: "G-good night, Mistress!"
Nalzij nods and heads upstairs to try to get what rest she can before the day grows too late.
Dahlia tries to help the maids a bit before she sleeps.