Fear below the stars

[00:31] Kofe offered a small wave to the departing princess before he laid a yellow gaze upon Ophelia, and a smile to boot.

"Oh, lots. I've got questions, requests, praises. And information. Yeah. Important kind—"

He stepped closer to her, doing something unexpected and pulling her along with himself. How brash.

"I was looking for you earlier, and you... kinda forgot to lock your door."

He should've said that first. She could only assume they were heading that way, now.
(Kofe)
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[00:32] She blinked, surprise painting her features as he admitted the door was unlocked.

Oh no.

She'd follow along.
(Ophelia Soleis)
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[00:33] Kofe says, "Hopefully no one took anything."
[00:36] Ophelia Soleis says, "Hm.... No, nothing was taken thankfully."
[00:36] Kofe says, "Good."
[00:36] Kofe asks, "Wanna talk about your day or something before I bore you with my stuff?"
[00:38] Ophelia Soleis says, ".... No."
[00:38] Ophelia Soleis asks, "What do you need me to make you?"
[00:38] Kofe says, "Ah-"
[00:38] Kofe says, "Wow."
[00:38] Kofe says, "Right to the point."
[00:38] Ophelia Soleis says, "I'm rather used to it at this point."
[00:38] Kofe says, "... Hm."
[00:38] Kofe asks, "You know what?"
[00:39] Kofe says, "I'll earn it before telling you what I want."
[00:39] Ophelia Soleis says, "....."
[00:39] She sighed, miserable.

"Please just tell me what you want." She uttered.
(Ophelia Soleis)
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[00:39] Kofe says, "..."
[00:50] If it had been someone he was closer to, Kofe probably would've offered a warm embrace to cry upon, or a few words of advice. But... Ophelia? She wasn't someone he knew very well. It didn't stop him from noticing a few things, traits, thoughts that lead to more thoughts.

He spun on his heel, looking towards the ceiling, sighing out, too.

"You're like her, aren't you?" He asked. He could tell Ophelia's emotions ran high, and for most people with a dark secret it meant that something would... spill out. Sometimes. But the crafter hadn't spilled out anything. In fact, if it weren't for what Kofe already knew and just couldn't believe when suspicions lead to such, he would've never thought of their association including meek and fragile Ophelia.

"You're not stuttering anymore. You're even more assertive than she gets. You're... scary." He rode off that inkling he had, those little bits. Observant as always. Iberl probably cracked a grin.

"What should I call you? Garroter?" He asked, pausing, yet leaving no time for a real answer.

".. I think it's overdue that I equip myself for the future. Armor, potions. If Alexander's going to get himself involved in deep politics I fear he won't hear me out anymore. I might as well be prepared. Not only that, but... man..."

He shook his head, turning to face Ophelia with a much less serious tone and expression.

"Could you believe Emil used it against her? I've told your brother already, but if I hadn't been there... He was planning to drag her body to the swamps."

It slowly all clicked together like a puzzle; who provided it, the missing part of what had to be a trio, the childhood friends, the fact Edelaide had mentionned having danced with her shadows, Elesius, Ophelia, and him. A way to unveil those truths.

"I don't often step into other people's business, but that one concerned me."

He knew it was just a convenient excuse. If it was only that he wouldn't have wanted the guy actually dead. Back to the subject.

"Something light, preferably."
(Kofe)
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[00:55] Ophelia's head tilted lightly, as he questioned whether or not she was like her. Her who? She still stuttered, on occasion... But not as she used to, it was for sure. She was surprised anyone took notice of it, truthfully.

Because no one took notice of her unless they needed her to make them things. So surprise dotted her face when he mentioned it, and the fact he said she was scary? It doubled it.

Garroter.

She shook her head, opening her mouth to speak up, but Kofe continued to speak and she shut it. So that's what it was. He desired armor and potions - they all did. All the time. There was a tired sigh that escaped her lips, before he mentioned Emil having used it against her. Now that?

That brought her attention to the forefront immediately, cerulean eyes widening just a tad bit as she stood up straighter. It could be felt more than seen, that growing manifestation of Ophelia's anger, brimming justgently under the surface. Or rather more accurately, slow to bloom, like a rose. But once it fully blossomed it was an unstoppable tempest.

"... Used it against who, Kofe?" She asked, "Who is her?" She'd ignore his desire for armor for now.
(Ophelia Soleis)
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[00:59] He could see the shift in the way she looked at him. There was... an anger. A feeling that seemed to overwhelm the girl that was never this forward, never this angry. Sure, emotions ran high due to Yani's shift away. Kofe had caught onto that, too. Mentionning it was pointless. Ophelia felt... useless. Or was it a facade? He wasn't sure how many of these were truths, and how many were lies.

What he did know, however, is that he seemed to be right. He had been so wrong, so many times with Edelaide before. But this... this was it, wasn't it?

A simple answer.

"Jury."
(Kofe)
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[01:01] Emil carelessly barged into the Soleis estate, surprised to see Kofe conversing with Ophelia. Wary eyes trained on him as he scooted his way into the kitchen, swiftly whipping up a batch of eggs.

Having done what he intended, the acolyte returns to the foyer, addressing Ophelia apologetically. The topic of their conversation was beyond him, but remaining in the presence of the Rhoynish was unwise.

"Apologies Ophelia. I only wanted to make myself a quick meal, I didn't mean to intrude."

Nor did he want to. With his intent stated he scuttles towards the door, cautious enough as to not turn his back. The snake was trying to slither on out.
(Emil Rocher)
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[01:07] There was a deep breath, as Kofe answered precisely who that her was. Hearing Emil's voice, she seemingly continued to focus upon Kofe at first - but as Emil worked to slither to the door...?

A hand rose - ice immediately covering the exit.

"No." She said gently, before turning towards Emil. "Why did you lie? You never ran into a Kaor…" She trailed off, feet bringing her closer to the Acolyte now, as a hand was brought upwards to unhook the bow from her back. Near instantly, ice began to cover the mythril of it but even more horrifying?

It spread from the Soleis herself. Much as when she had dealt with Bastiel's death within her home, did ice and frost begin to cover the surfaces of the cottage. The plants - which were there multiples of - began to react to those rampaging emotions of Ophelia's, rattling, and some of them outright shattering from their pots, to be given further life and grow within what was quickly becoming an icy helscape.

"You used it on Jury, instead. My closest friend." She explained, head tilting. There was a steely determination in her eyes at that moment. The temperature plummeted all around her, turning things from bad to worse. "Even as children. And you used...….. The Magibane I made you...…. For your self defense...…… On her?" She questioned, a thin eyebrow raising.
(Ophelia Soleis)
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[01:21] You're... scary.

Kofe stumbled a bit back after realizing just how right he had been. Just how good he was at spotting the smallest, most insane detail that unveiled one's true nature. It was that same ability to read people that allowed him to bring smiles and joy all around. That allowed him to be someone who was... appreciated. Loved, even, by people who should be afraid of him.

Iberl was grinning for a reason.

If faith had any sort of success with the young Rhoynish it would be in this moment. An instant where he legitimately feared for his life, for another's life. It brought shivers down his spine. It wasn't anything like the mightest warriors he had seen or the legends of warbringers he had heard of. This was no warlord, no.

A snake had slithered in the grass around this singbird, only to find the grass teeming with a few of its kind... and one far, far more deceiving than it could expect. As if its skinhad turned alike the grass surrounding it until the moment to pounce.

A predator at heart. A raging beast hidden deep behind a delicate snow flower.

A subconscious prayer for his own well-being, to ensure that he wouldn't be killed off by the beast that Ophelia revealed herself to be was made. A... bond was strengthened with Kofe and Iberl, though unknown to him. His circuits pulsed with cosmic energies for a brief moment as he remained on his guard, even in the presence of allies.

Terrifying allies.
(Kofe)
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[01:22] Unsurprisngly, his back collided with the thick sheet of ice; his entrance had been blocked. The topic of their conversation had become apparent. His timing was absolutely impeccable.

"Now now Ophelia, let's not be hasty. I admit, Jury drank the magibane, but I can assure you that it was all one big misunderstanding."

Said whilst his hands were hovered forward, defensive and unimposing. The magics unleashed by her were unreciprocated, the young man holding off until absolutely necessary.

"We've reconcillied and are on good terms now. I'm continuing with the.. mission she assigned to me."

A light gesture was made toward his priestly gowns; a farcry from what was expected of Abel. What was once kept a secret had now been revealed. He was sure Ophelia knew of their schemes; she brewed the magibane in their former base of operations after all. The girl was far from the fragile flower Emil had previously madeher out to be.

"I only lied because I was unsure if you were informed. I retrieved the second one the compensate for the lost of the first. I was speaking the truth when I said that it'd help Edelaide and Kofe."
(Emil Rocher)
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[01:29] Only now was the bow brought upwards, Ophelia's stance shifting. Her feet separating shoulder width apart as her body twisted. An arrow made entirely of ice formed upon the string as she pulled it back, using her back muscles just as she had instructed Princess Eirene.

Ophelia was a huntress, in that moment, sheathed in an icy veil of snow and flowers. The Cottage continued to be covered within ice, the plant life even being overtaken by her powers, but they did not die. No. They found life anew, as walking and living vines, white and covered in frost did they obey her command, rising to her defense.

"No." She said. The arrow was trained precisely on Emil - or rather, Abel, as he tried to excuse his actions. One wrong move would have resulted in catastrophe. But soon enough, her no would be revealed that it wasn't to Abel at all, but rather Kofe. "... They do not call me..." Her eyebrows furrowed briefly at the term,"Garroter." She shook her head, though her cerulean eyes were still fixated upon Abel.

"They call me Executioner."

It had always been sweet, dear, weak Ophelia. Even in their childhood games, she had been the one to give others what Judge and Jury had seemed appropriate. Now the string was pulled taut, and those stern eyes bored a hole so deep into Abel it was frightening. She was certainly Elijah Soleis' Granddaughter, in that moment.

"Kofe said you were planning on dragging her body to the swamps. You say she drank it but it was you who served it to her, Abel. You lied to me once how do I know you're not lying again?" She posed the question, and instantly the ice arrow was released - narrowly missing his head as it thudded against the block of ice blocking his path. Already another was nocked and retrained upon him.

"Answer. Now. Or else I take you to the authorities and you shall answer to them."
(Ophelia Soleis)
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[01:40] They call me Executioner.

Iberl. The Poles. The House of Firsts.

Kofe may have been the first one to discover of Ophelia's double-life besides those who were involved into it. Of all the people surrounding that double life she truly was one that flipped the script upside-down. The boy's heartbeat sped up when she looked at him, freezing, terrifying. His whole body knew it should run — it trembled for it — yet he refused not to see this until the very last moment.

With every crack of the ice that echoed in the place his mind could only look heavenswards for help, for the ability not to close his eyes, to keep watching. He felt as if the moment he'd look away it would be over.

Emil— Abel may have been the one in danger, but Kofe's whole being was pumping blood faster and faster as adrenaline filled his veins. His mana circuits were pulling and pushing towards the one entity who could have helped, strengthening that bond further in one of the most unlikely manners.

Where most would prey, concentrate, or speak to the heavens, Kofe had been caught in a moment where it felt like nothing could help him. Njorun was not a wish-granter, and his ancestors were merely there to watch him.

Kofe could do nothing but observe. He dared not to move. Even the heat from his breath felt like a mistake.
(Kofe)
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[01:47] It was only when the arrow was primed did a hand slide to his back, clutching the stock of the rifle hung there. Though, no sudden action was taken, the ends of their cloak now frosted. The tendrils that sprouted brought little alarm when compared to the name that was spoken.

The final of the trio, quite possible the most ruthless of them all. The Executioner. Any perception of innocence had vanished, that piercing gaze bringing upon masked tremors.

Trembles that came from wintry air, the interior of her own home transformed into a sheer cold cage.

"Yes, it was I that served it to her. The swamps were.. quip is all. I was planning on returning there to gather the materials needed for the second magibane."

Spoken through the clacks of teeth, the grip on his weapon reliquinshed with hands moving to warm either side of his figure. The numbing had began, his blood feeling as if it were freezing within his veins. The ichor that he was dependant on.

"There's no need for that Ophelia. It'd be best to visit Jury and ask her ourselves. I'm certain your friend wouldn't lie to you."
(Emil Rocher)
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[01:55] Could she truly do it? Here, in their home? What would her Grandfather think? What would Elesius think? Did he even know? Ophelia's gaze never wavered, even as she thought upon the situation at hand.

Another arrow was loosened - landing on the other side of Abel's head this time, embedding itself firmly within the ice.

"If I find out you lied to me a second time, Abel...?" She questioned, her bow lowering, but the freezing temperatures remained. Ophelia appeared pristine, a veritable Ice Princess within her castle. But the look in her eyes never went away. "I will find you. I will do to you what my Grandfather did to those Demons. Do I make myself one hundred percent clear?" She asked.

She was granting him a reprieve. After two warning shots and freezing cold temperatures, she had tortured him enough.

"I will speak to Jury, and I will find out the truth. If I discern she's covering for you, I will hunt you down myself. I hate what you have made me do, why can you not do your mission and get it done and over with?" She asked. Slowly, gradually did the temperature begin to reverse course, becoming more normal. The ice faded away and the plants also stop their writhing. The ice blocking the door faded away, allowing Abel to leave the home.

Probably needing a change of pants.
(Ophelia Soleis)
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[02:09] Features winced as the arrow soared its tip barely grazing his insensate skin. Shards of shattered ice pelted the back of his head, that chill along his spine only becoming ever more realized.

"As clear as can be."

He yielded under the stress, cowardly as can be. This was a time he needed to pick him fights carefully. Truths had been stretched, time had been bought. When there were opportunities to weasel his way out? He'd exploit them all he could.

Preferably, the next time he encounter them was when he finally retrieved those remotes. Surely he'd be on good terms with Edelaide after that. It was a mistake to assume that Ophelia's naivety was one of them. A lesson learnt in circumstances that he found undesireable.

"It's difficult to catch the High Keeper alone. The death of the priestess and the king's coronation have occupied a majority of his time."

And when matters had been dealt with? He would retreat to his quarters, resting like the elder he was.

"But it will be done. It's only a matter of time."
(Emil Rocher)
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[02:10] They say that some discoveries would have better been left alone. That the unknown is safer than knowing the truth of the universe. Many, many tales tell of omnipotence as this... poison. For one to discover something so terrifying and to have it been brought to life in a way that surpassed anything that could've been expected was overwhelming. Kofe's legs were trembling, still.

It's only when Abel escaped death narrowly for the hundredth time that the pressure in his body faltered, that his legs gave way, rear crashing into the potted plant and shattering the vase on the floor. The over-exertion of his stress muscle and the flow of cosmic energies flooding his circuits has left him dry, unable to do more than process what happened, what he had watched.

His instincts were still running on full alert, but Kofe?

Kofe wanted to run away. To run not back to his home, but to someone who could understand— to the one who knewand who would hold him for as long as he needed to be held after he had discovered the truth.

He was afraid of even requesting a cup of sugar from Ophelia at this point.

For the poles were two extremities. For Iberl watched upon the greatness of a newly crowned king, and the frozen hellscape created by the ice queen.

Cursed by observation. Blessed by the knowledge he obtained.
(Kofe)
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[02:12] Emil Rocher says, "-"
[02:14] Scuttled on out, using Kofe's sudden collapse as a distraction. Besides, he'd already been permitted to leave. He didn't want to stay here a single second longer than what was necessary.
(Emil Rocher)
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[02:15] Her bow was slung once more upon her back, and she pointed to the door,

"Then leave, Abel." She directed, as if dismissing him outright. With Kofe stumbling into one of the vases, Ophelia turned and looked. All at once that tension relieved itself from her shoulders and she offered a soft smile towards the Rhoynish.

"Come, let us find Jury."
(Ophelia Soleis)
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[02:15] Kofe says, "...."
[02:15] Kofe says, "........................."
[02:18] Kofe heard her words. He did. Even as that sweet smile of hers returned he still just.... couldn't move. His legs were jelly, his heart was racing, cold sweat was running down his back and his entire body refused to listen to him, as if exhausted.

"Y.. Yeah."

Now he was stuttering.

"Just. Give me a moment."

It'd take a few more seconds, perhaps half a minute before Kofe finally rose up from the floor, breathing in and out slowly, quietly following Ophelia.
(Kofe)