stoking the flames

During their travel, the Astor had mostly spaced out. She didn't pay much attention to where they headed until she heard two speaking.

Her emerald stare fell upon Valero, someone she knew and had met previously. Romani, less so. Though she had heard of him enough and now she stepped forward, staring at Romani more so than Valero.

"I would suggest you keep a leash upon your rat." Anastasia said at once, getting to the root of the issue.
(Anastasia ven Astor)

Quiet.

The Serpent assumes itself to be not noticed. Ever since awakening to this world, it hasn't known anything but abuse from humanity, the constant strive of every single individual to put it down at all cost. Should it be surprised, then, that the two it currently looks upon would also try to permanently force it away from this world?

It knows the role it carries all too well.
Just as much as it knows the burden of it.

Curiosity is not easily sated, however. It is awfully unexpected for the group of Nyseans to show up in such manner, the glimmer of yellow snake-eyes soon causing the fine slits to dilate and narrow all over again.

"Hssss..."

The silent hiss. Already it begins to move over to the next set of branches, brush and leaves- whenever it is forced onto the ground, it moves through the tall grass, intending to stay unnoticed.

At least, as much as it can.

Interesting. What was this about?
(Fidi)

Seeing as his attention was fully on the group in front of him, Valero didn't even consider the idea that there was a giant serpentine demon lurking behind him, because... Why would he?

"Evenin'." The Warlord would say with a bit of a nod towards the group, before his attention would flick back over towards Romani. "Let's see... Drakanite, red wings, used a lot of fire magic, openly praised the dark lord. What else was there..." His voice trails off, as he attempts to remember literally anything else about the woman.

"Did I say she was wearin' a mask, and a cape? Cause she was. Didn't catch a name though."

With that, he'd turn back to facing the Nyseans.

"Misha? Haven't seen her yet today."
(Valero Task)

There is no glare pointed towards Romani, but the Stellus certain held one towards Alexander. There was a certain saying, if looks could kill, then Romani would have looked downright murderous.

"Why are you looking for Misha?" Romani would ask, eyes training first to Alexander, then to Anastasia, a curious look mixing with those angered features. "I must say, after the last time we spoke and your people yelling 'never surrender' while trying to burn this bridge, I did not expect to see you inquiring instead of attacking." He does not take an aggressive stance yet, but fists do come to his side and begin to curl into fists.

The Serpent manages to succeed in evading Romani's focus, as if a tunnel vision had been left upon the Stellus as he stared towards the Nyseans.

"And that description is fine, Valero. I suppose I would like more information but it is not fully available at this moment."
(Romani Montclaire)

Romani's words does prompt a light scoff from the Astor now as she shook her head.

"Because she's on the prowl again of injuring our people for no reason." Anastasia spoke bluntly. His fists curling at his sides was noticed but for the time being the Radiant says and does nothing in regards to it. "I just healed Atlas' own wounds - and you know what she did? She broke most of the bones in his leg."

Her gaze was cast upon the Montclaire in furious silence, eyebrows furrowing.

"The last I checked, we were attempting to be peaceful. Yet you sick your rat out after our people for absolutely no reason."
(Anastasia ven Astor)

"If you wish to swing, Romani Montclaire, then set your fist for my chin and hope it finds purchase - otherwise, let your anger settle, it is unbecoming for someone that claims to be Stellus like Pericles."

But the Petrakis looks onwards, hearing word of what Valero spoke, and then what the Montclaire further followed up upon.

"And as naturally anyone who was usurped would, Romani. Especially to be betrayed like mine people have been. But."

A pause, and Alexander speaks further.

"Misha, has been found coercing demons. But more than that, she has been attacking my own people. So I will stop her. Pass on message to her, if you find her, to come to Nysea's doorstep. Unless you're purposefully letting her run wild?"
(Alexander rei Petrakis)

The quietest rustle.
Lost upon the gentle breeze of the wind.

The yellow snake-eyes remain so ever watchful. But it knows better than to vocalize itself, than to make noise, especially in the presence of so many. What it knows, however, is the fact that this could become a very, very..

Interesting development.

Misha, accused of coercing Demonkind? The forked tongue extends in and out, picking up various chemicals through the air- the scents, the moods, emotions of those that remain here..

It's almost intoxicating.

But the sights focus upon Stellus. What it ponders next could be very much decisive. Perhaps, it could very well spell the undoing to them all- but no boulder has been moved without action, hasn't it?

The snake-eyes peer upon Montclaire.
Him, and only him.
(Fidi)

Fidi's voice (to Romani Montclaire): [A serpentine-like voice echoes] Nevermind the brewing storms, yet you must know, they lie. They wish to see you fall, to see you dead - to slay your guardians and leave you alone. Beware...

Quite the unexpected sight Skoll has walked into, it seems. The first time he has gotten to see the face behind the name Romani, no less.
Hearing the words coming from Anastasia and Alexander, Skoll lets out a sigh as he gets closer, standing at the sidelines for now.

"I do hope this talk won't devolve into a fight." The rhoynish man speaks, turning his attention towards Romani.
"I can not speak about Atlas' condition, as I wasn't there. However, about Misha? On my travels to Myllenoris, Misha stopped me, suspecting me for taking the longer route. Had she concluded I was from Nysea? I fear I would have been attacked on the spot."
(Skoll Beo)

"If ya' want more information, Romani ya' could just ask those who were attacked. Well, ya' can't ask one of 'em seein' as they were dragged off, but..." Shoulders would shrug, before he continued. "Could ask the other, but-"

He cuts himself off, as his attention drifts away from the Stellus, and towards the people of Nysea once more.

"This seems a bit more important. At the moment at least."

There wasn't much else for him to say here.
(Valero Task)

Fidi's voice (to Romani Montclaire): Believe or not, decide. The life of woman, and yours, are intertwined.

The fist continued to curl in fury by his side as the gold and blue eyes settled upon Alexander, staring towards him.

"I will not lie, I do have that urge to swing on you for discarding me, for letting my wife be poisoned, for leading my home to destruction, for not punishing those who struck my people, for attempting to burn down the bridge when we were rebuilding. If it was a battle between just you and me, or if it was war, my fist would strike true in a heartbeat."

"But there is a ceasefire. It would not do to cause diplomatic incident right now, despite how much pain you have inflicted upon those I care about and my people."

Still, the fist did not uncurl, ever firm, ever staring towards the King of Nysea, before the gaze turned to look towards Anastasia.

"Walter was handling her punishment. I was under the interpretation that Misha was still collared and within Osrona. How recently did this attack happen, and did any of your people goad her into attack? It is awfully easy to do so. That said, I am surprised to hear she is out and about."

"I will speak with Walter about that, as well as the rumors she has been talking with demons. If found to be true, that is troublesome."

A glance suddenly, to the left, then the right, before once more focusing upon the Nyseans in front of him. Teeth grit, ever irritated, yet not yet moving.

"What about you all? Have you all seen a Drakanite who fits the description that Valero provided? I am here to search for one who apparently kidnaped one of the Vigilant."
(Romani Montclaire)

"Well, now that agitations are all out of the way..."

He chuckles, while pressing on to answer the important question at hand

"In all honesty, I can't say I've met such a drakanite. I just know it's gotten real active in this specific area as of late." He's not entirely sure if Avlain, or any of the other faces here had encountered such in their time about.

"I could probably ask around Mylenoris or Alabaster, but I'm far from connected to all this craziness..." He murmurs, while crossing his arms.

"And I doubt if anyone's allied with demons now, they'd probably lurking in unfamiliar territory. Not out and about anymore." Having not been much of a combatant, it seemed he'd at least do his due diligence to ensure the word got around.
(Saewyn)

"..."

 She finds herself beginning to hum for the moment. The first portion of the man's statement practically overshadows everything else within the child's mind...Especially, since people think that they could possibly speak about her father in such a manner...Especially, when she's present. Regardless....It takes a moment for her to get to that point. What coalesces upon her form is nothing more than an illusory rage...Gentle particles of ice forming from the atmosphere...The promise of a tantrum occurring when she would suck in a breath...


"Shut. Up."


 Perhaps, it wasn't her place to say things like that, especially, to someone of his stature.
"If you wanna swing on my dad, then maybe you should just go ahead and do it."
 She would encourage, waving her hand from left to right.

"You wouldn't win...You could never win." A beginning of such ferocity. A promise that she knows that she couldn't keep- even if she wholly believed in her father's ability.

"Stay in your place, old man."
(Carlisle ras Petrakis)

Carlisle grips Alexander's hand tightly!
(Carlisle ras Petrakis)

Doubt.

So easy to show... the art of subterfuge that usually requires elaborate lies, the web of manipulation and intricate details. A fine craft that few have truly mastered beyond the basics, and sometimes, not even then.

Is it ironic that now all it takes is truth?

Amused. Greatly so... to watch this unfold amidst the hiding brush, the breeze of the wind which leaves the Serpent masked by the nature itself. It's odd how sometimes humanity may not realize... that they are the greatest enemy.

That they distance themselves from the beasts...
But remain so close to them.

Curious. With introduction of Carlisle... what could be next?
(Fidi)

Fidi's voice (to Romani Montclaire): [The serpentine voice echoies, eeringly analytical and calm] The voices to take what they once lost deafen the ears that hear the dark lurking within. Ask if they know what their citizens do...

Fidi's voice (to Romani Montclaire): ... and hear naught but accusations. Ha!

Now her emerald gaze narrowed upon Romani when he spoke of his urge to swing upon their King. Anastasia would have stepped in without a second thought had she needed to. Yet for the time being, she didn't need to thankfully.

"It seems your dear Misha is doing enough to cause a diplomatic incident between us, cease fire or not," She explained. Arms came to cross in front of her chest. "From what it sounded like, it was quite recently given I was the one who healed Atlas' leg myself." She added. Her gaze did not falter from staring forth, nostrils flaring in agitation.

"I do suggest you speak with Walter about this, before I find myself moving to speak with him instead." She warned, casually. The Radiant only grew silence when she heard the gentle and usually soft voice of Carlisle speak up in defense of her Father - which, Anastasia could not blame her. She turns to stare at the young girl in silence for a bit before refacing the trio in front of her.

Perhaps Anastasia couldn't find herself disagreeing with Carlisle, so she found it best to just remain silent regarding that.
(Anastasia ven Astor)


Fidi's voice (to Romani Montclaire): The daughter of Doppleganger... so confident in her ability to find dark, so quick to point it out in others... but unable to see it among her own people.

"We can have a battle here and now if you wish, Romani Montclaire. I do not shy away from challenges," Alexander offers nonchalantly.

"But. Hold your tongue on the past, Romani. More true would be your relationship to Ophelia. The way you let a known criminal live after striking her. It's disgraceful." The Exiled King speaks, for once sharing thoughts on such a matter.

Carlisle's voice hits air, and Alexander spares a glance down, ice starts to take to the air, flaking about in cold, rigid fury. Though, he says nothing on it ultimately. Perhaps due to a softness towards his daughter, or merely because he thought such was deserved.

"Misha's been out as early as today. Striking against anyone from Nysea, sparking a war. Do your duty and put down Misha for her crimes, for your wife's honour, or Nysea will."
(Alexander rei Petrakis)

A glance is spared towards Carlisle as she speaks up.

"If Atlas speaks like this sassy child, I can easily see why Misha would start lashing out. She does not fair well with controlling her anger around narcissists."

His gaze then lifts to look over towards Anastacia. "Like I said, I know not of Misha's exacts for her attack and the incident. I do not approve of it during a ceasefire myself, and I will be speaking to Walter about it when I get back."

Then to Saewyn. "Thank you. I would appreciate you looking into those areas for someone who matches that description. If we can find them, that would be good."

His eyes, then trail upwards, looking towards Alexander as he spoke, that gaze holding on him the most. "I considered a challenge for a long while. A challenge for the things you did. But I decided against it, because I believed the opposite. Because every time I hear of someone challenging you, I hear you turn them away." A small laugh does escape the Stellus at that, shaking his head.

"I will not hold my tongue on the past. Those who do not learn from history are destined to repeat it. And you do not execute every single person who strikes another person. Punish them, yes, but very few people are those who deserve execution."

"I will be looking into the Misha case when I get back." There is pause, however, at the words said by all parties, slowly increasing want.

"However, since you are so desiring, do you desire a duel then, Alexander? I must say, the chance to chop off the tongue of a man who stated I had no worth to the Petrakis empire is tempting. The chance to strike down a man who let his people strike baleford bridge is tempting."

A golden glow began to surround the body of the Stellus, staring Alexander down.
(Romani Montclaire)

She takes a single step forward.

Her head cants backwards slowly, the gentle chill that spills past her breath becomes apparent- cold and icy, portraying the frozen disposition of the youth that was infront of the scene. "The issue here is that you can't keep your rat on a leash." She responds quite brazenly, her grip upon her staff beginning to tighten, clearly preparing to battle if it comes down to it.

"...I see that you've got a lot to say about what happens with my father when you're the failure here." She responds. "You traitorous swine….You unfit, old pig. What makes you even think that you could possibly stand to my father when you can't even stand against that rat that doesn't just hurt people in my papa's city, but your own too?" She trembles in rage. The promise of her tantrum beginning to grow as stalagmites would steadily form within the vicinity.

"You're weak. Incapable. You want to face my father...? Then face him- but don't be surprised when he wins." Her chin tilts upwards, high-saddity...Belief found within the idle smirk.

"Hopefully, when he wins...He'll give you to me instead of dealing the punishment himself. Pig."
(Carlisle ras Petrakis)

They enjoy when things go wrong, don't they?

To see not only the parts of the truth unveiled, but the picture of grandeur revealed in larger scale. Sometimes, the truth can hurt the most, and perhaps even more than lies... and is it truly the age of Demonkind, when such truth could destroy livelihood of humanity more than any demon?

Are they truly the nightmare to humanity?
Or are they the nightmare to themselves?

But it would be a lie to say that the Serpent doesn't find this prospect exciting. To see how people would react when they receive larger know-how is always amusing, but with how it could potentially result to violence?

To a true challenge?

If it had truly defined features, it would be smiling right now. Here, amidst the dark of the trees, amidst the shade of the leaves, it remains quietly hidden away from the sights of the world; knowing that overextending himself, especially in such situation, would not only spell an injury to him, at the very least...

Potentially, even death.

The sights remain locked onto the would-be challengers. Patient, curious..
(Fidi)

shook her head immediately.

"You're incorrect in what Misha did." She quickly rebuked. "Misha attacked Atlas on sight. Frankly I believe my fellow Radiant over your demon assisting rat any day of the year." The Astor spoke, her eyes burrowing a hole through the trio opposite of them. "She attacked him on sight, without hesitation. She leapt at him before she even spoke to him - and frankly?"

There's a brief inhale, Anastasia holding back her own emotions on the spot. Bottling them, and burying them in order to move forward.

"If you insist that Atlas is a narcissist, perhaps your leaders should look in the mirror. Comparing a Radiant to a child who believes in the strength of her family is a weak attack. You should stop now."

Her own words cease at Calisle steps forward, and she gazed at the girl quietly, before holding up a hand to press her fingers against her lips.

"Princess. Mmmm. We've got this handled but thank you for your input, as always," Anastasia said patiently. She didn't blame the girl for wanting to defend her people, or her family. Anastasia would have done the same in a single heartbeat if she had to. But eventually does her gaze wander back to Romani, with his threat of chopping off Alexander's tongue at the front of her attention.

The Astor stepped forward, glaring. Whereas Romani was surrounded by a golden glow, the one which overtook the Astor held a more yellow brilliance to it than even that; Alph's light encircling Anastasia quite easily. It was clear that she thought of Romani's threat towards her sibling.
(Anastasia ven Astor)

Fidi's voice (to Romani Montclaire): Look upon the man that swears to take away everything from you, O' Stellus of Osrona. Look upon him... and see the lies he surronds himself with to destroy your life.

Fidi's voice (to Romani Montclaire): But you do not need me to tell you this... to not see it would be foolish.

Fidi's voice (to Romani Montclaire): How many more times will she speak of Demons... when her own mother tempts her to join her on the other side?

Fidi's voice (to Romani Montclaire): Ha... ha-ha-ha...

The mention of 'sassy child' makes Alexander's face crease with tension, and resolve hardens like steel.

The Petrakis rises his hand to the blade pressed to his back and with a firm hand, grips it, and withdraws it in the same motion. Starlight clings to the sword of the man, covering it in a distinct Astral sensation. Though, he makes no moves to swing just yet. For Saewyn, Skoll and Abhel bring up valid points.

"We'll settle it between ourselves if Romani still wishes a duel. And our people can stay out of it. Or, you can leave back to Osrona and deal with Misha. If she shows her face again, she will be dealt with. It's your choice whether Osrona wishes to help but if you do not punish her, do not expect Nysea's help in the future."

Blade remains held by side. "Either way, no more threats. You've overstayed your welcome and gotten your answers on your drakanite, leave."
(Alexander rei Petrakis)

They would always hold such disputes.

That no matter how much talking has been made, it always results into something that could very well result in bloodshed all over again. It is the nature of humanity to be at odds with one another; and sometimes, humans need a fantasy, a fantasy of union against common enemy so they could be united for at least a short while...

The enemy that his species are.

It is interesting to see how they deal with it.. how often the disrespectful words come from one side to another, an exchange that seemingly never ends, no matter what effort is made. And even now, where the Serpent lingers hidden away from the sights of the world, there is but a final stare given unto Romani.

The final decision which could shape historical moment here and now.
(Fidi)

Fidi's voice (to Romani Montclaire): After they threatened your people so many times, after they disrespected you, they hide behind the name of children - who are long adults themselves.

Fidi's voice (to Romani Montclaire): Hilarious...

To put easily? A lot of comments are tuned out. There is no further reaction to Carlise's words and only a shake of his head towards Skoll's. Those who do not speak are not reacted to, but as Anastasia draws in front, he would look towards her.

"Again, I am saying if your people sass Misha, I can see her temper grow short, or if they have in the past. I would not doubt she might have attacked your Radiant on sight. And I do intend to check into it. I have not been around Atlas enough to tell if he is a narcissist, but that child by your side certainly is."

"I will be looking into the incident as a whole once I go back to Osrona."

Then? His fists do ball, staring towards Alexander. "I would like to send you face first into the dirt in a duel. I also agree that our people should stay out of it. After that, I will deal with Misha, but yes."

"Let us deal with his personal issue now."

With that? Romani would take a couple of paces to the left, He does not strike, only takes a large breadth of the people present.
(Romani Montclaire)

The blade gripped between both hands adjusts some, mythril edge pointed down towards the flooring. It stills glows with the glare of starlight that flutters about and fills the air.

Rigid display of green time magics darts to and fro across the Petrakis' frame and a breath steels his form.

There was clearly cause to be angry at the man before, a Stellus of the Eastern Church, and yet, diplomatic relations sat at the forefront - causing the situation to never quite boil over to where it might have years earlier.

Alexander lets eyes befall Romani and then he is forth. Blade swung back and ready to unleash against fist.

"My child is nothing of the such, so quiet. We'll settle our dispute here and now, and then you can keep my people's names out of your mouth with these odd provocations."

And in a blur, Alexander vanishes, wielding the timestream in hand and darting around the Montclaire. The battle starts violently.
(Alexander rei Petrakis)

Content.

The Serpent could almost feel his heart racing. It could almost be felt as something truly exciting, something that ensures not only the ensuing chaos to happen, but far more than that. What would be situation of Osrona and Nysea from there on? The questions run rampant..

The things they whisper in the dark.

For now, the Serpent enjoys the fruit of this; the display of duel, of challenge between two titanic magi that have long advanced all too far.

For now, he could remain watchful only.
(Fidi)