3/30 Ithaca's Return

[17:37] The oasis has the benefit of seclusion and tranquility. As much as the shaman loves her work, she does not love having an audience. Especially not for this particular kind of working; it goes doubly so for precisely who the target of it is.

Certainly it might have made a good impromptu lesson for a student, but this...This is different.

Ohtli begins setting things into place, unloading all of her ritual equipment. Dried herbs, the sacrificial knife, and most importantly the needed tether.

And what a tether it is. She removes the package, a paltry covering for the glistening arcanium weapon beneath. Left behind by the warrior woman, then left behind by her daughter. All for the best, perhaps; if it hadn't been, she wouldn't be able to use it here and now.

Ode to Spring. A fitting name, in a handful of ways. Gehenna- no, not just Gehenna, the continent- had seen a long winter. Maybe this might help herald the thaw.

She can only hope.

The weapon becomes the center-piece of a circle, surrounded by fragrant dried herbs sprinkled all around the perimeter. Better to be safe than sorry and draw in unwelcome spirits in her newest working.

All is set, all is prepared. The last piece is naturally key. A sacrifice, a gift of life and blood to beckon the spirit back and hold it in place. Ohtli knows the steps to this dance by heart. The Drakan draws her trusty knife, slides it in between the scales on her arm, and cuts a long slice down her limb. This is no paltry routine offering. A cut palm will not suffice.

Droplets of blood ooze onto the burnished arcanium, hissing and spitting, erupting in blue fire as they hit the metal's surface, never staining it. She straightens herself, takes a deep breath, and voices her summons to the empty cavern.

"Ohtli Tezcacoatl humbly beseeches the spirit that once owned this spear to return, to walk again, and do justice where there is none. Ithaca Blackwater. I call for you."

What remained to be seen now was if she would answer.
(Ohtli Tezcacoatl)
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[17:52] 'Restless' might not be the right word for Ithaca's spirit. But there's plenty in life she left unaccomplished. So pulling her spirit back into this realm is as easy as pouring water from one cup to another. Even if the water is Ohtli's blood, and the cup is a knife.

And it's not a fade-in, or some gradual process. In the span of a blink, Ithaca is simply there. Like she'd always been, and simply needed to be revealed. She is also freaking the hell out. Gripping suddenly at her chest like there's some object lodged in there, eyes wide and... well. She isn't breathing, but she's making the motions for it very rapidly. It's just about as distracting as the fact that she's entirely naked, and the air around her is now about thirty degrees cooler.

But thankfully, she quickly comes to her senses, and snaps her head around to meet the summoner. She questions simply, "...My spear?" For the moment she doesn't seem to recognize Ohtli. Be it the return of her arms, confusion about the event, or maybe... just the fact that Ohtli is getting up there in age now.

"What is this?" She looks at a translucent palm. "Malentine killed me... right? How am I... here?"


(Ithaca Blackwater)
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[17:53] {Item} You drop Ode To Spring.
[17:58] It makes sense that she wouldn't be recognized. So much time has passed, so much happened in the valykyrie's absence. Trials had come and gone. Limbs severed then regrown, battles won and lost, both literal and metaphorical.

Order might have helped her age well but she is, quite clearly, not a young thing any longer.

Ohtli removes the knife from her flesh and sets it aside slowly, no sudden movements in order to keep the newly returned Ithaca calm. The Drakan takes off her coat with about the same steady pace and offers it to spirit. Even if the temperature has drastically dropped.

"He did. You died north, in the mountains. I believe...your body's still up there."

She lets the words sink in for a moment before she quickly adds a few more.

"It's not necromancy. It's not unnatural. You're here as a spirit.
(Ohtli Tezcacoatl)
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[17:59] {Item} You drop Heavy Cloak - Blue.
[18:05] Ithaca takes the coat, though she doesn't seem to particularly care one way or another. It's like she's on autopilot and mostly just took it because it was offered. She looks at her hand again, and makes a fist. "...Right. If this was necromancy, I'd be in agony. And I doubt my soul would come so willingly to that. Also you don't look like a necromancer, you-"

That's when it finally hits. She rushes up to Ohtli and gives the woman a tight hug, only slightly phasing into her. Unfortunately, this is very cold. It's a quick, tense, awkward hug. Which really proves it's the right Ithaca.

Then releases her, and steps back a little to collect her spear. She doesn't smile as she hefts the weapon up, but it does seem right. "...Yeah. It would be up there. They liked their statues. An-" She gasps, "Ohtli! We need to go! Malentine, before he killed me, he revealed he's been impersonating Zoldak!We have to stop him!"
(Ithaca Blackwater)
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[18:07] That hug, somehow, hits her right where it hurts. Not necessarily in a bad way, but it certainly unhorses the Drakan from the steed that is her calm, collected bearing. Just for a few seconds.

And then, in a bad way, when she mentions Zoldak.

"...We know. He'd already revealed it. You've missed a lot. I'm sure you can tell."

Ohtli flashes the young spirit a sad little smile.

"It finally got out. So did a lot of things that weren't good to hear. The Invidias are still flourishing. Vampire and non. Malentine especially."
(Ohtli Tezcacoatl)
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[18:12] Right.

This probably wasn't just a few days, or even just a few years after she'd come back. She says simply, "How many years has it been? And, ugh." The mention of the Invidia name brings an expression of disgust to her face. "Of course they are. Arthur and his stupid treaty set them up with enough breathing room to come back. and they were almost wiped out, too..."

That causes her to raise her eyebrow. "But, I take it you didn't call me from beyond just because you missed my pleasant disposition and willingness to compromise with others. There must be something happening, right? Something you need help with. Something that needs slaying."
(Ithaca Blackwater)
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[18:17] The Drakan snorts at Ithaca's witty repartee, then flinches. She clears her throat and rolls her sleeve down over her arm. That can be dealt with later. It's not as if this is a hatchling's first summoning.

"No...No, I didn't. It didn't feel right just to bring you back for anything. Didn't think the spirit would be willing. It's a little rude really, just bringing back someone from their rest from any old thing

"A horde of vampires, ghouls, and their loyal members are on the march, under the banner of an Archon. And I wouldn't doubt that Malentine's pulling strings on it somewhere too."
(Ohtli Tezcacoatl)
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[18:18] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "They and Dawn are going to be marching on Gehenna. "
[18:23] Ithaca gestures to the arm and adds, "I'm not supposed to heal that, right? That's part of the... whatever you did. Right?"

And she shakes her head, "I don't know if I was at rest. I died with a lot to do. I'm... hmm. Perhaps happy isn't the right word, but a second chance... I appreciate it, Ohtli." She offers a withering smile. "Imagine if we knew we'd end up like this back in the academy. You... this, and me... uh. Dead. Actually, no. I would have probably guessed that. I think most people thought I'd be gone by twenty."

She shrugs. "And that sounds like a predicament, for sure. I can't say I'm happy to hear it -- being raised in Dawn, and having little to do with Gehenna -- but my unhappiness mostly lies with the lot of idiots under Dawn's banner. They cowards and only fight when they think they can win. The actors in this situation too... you're right. An archon, Malentine. I'll be happy to help."

Then glances over at the entrance to the cave. "I'm ready when you are. I'm on the clock now, right? I don't want your payment to go to waste." And muses, "...I wonder who else is still around."
(Ithaca Blackwater)
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[18:27] The Drakan waves a clawed hand dismissively.

"It's part of it, yes. Don't worry about that," she claims, then nods towards the distant cavern exit.

"I don't think I ever thought I was going to live this long either, in all honesty. I thought I'd be in something's stomach or dead at least...thirty years ago? Forty?"

A dry little huff and chuckle as she plods away from the Oasis.

"I'm glad to do it. Really...And if ever you're done? You can leave. There's nothing holding you here if you don't want to be here. A lot nicer than necromancy.

"As for Dawn, they might not march with them. I'm hoping for it, but it depends on the current leader not being an idiot. Maybe you can talk to him with me. Dawn is allied with them for now, so they can save their own skins, and Huangzhou won't help in the defense."
(Ohtli Tezcacoatl)
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[18:29] Ra'Kamel gives a passive nodd to Kairi
(Ra'Kamel)
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[18:31] Ithaca nods her head at the terms of the 'contract'. "Well... I'll stay, if I can. I imagine if I leave before my time is up, it'll be because something else kills me." She swings a fist in the air, generating a small spray of snowflakes behind it. "I feel like I'll need to get used to fighting again..."

And as they exit the cave she says, "We're in Crafthold...? Huh. You know, in life, I only went into those caves once. How has this place been faring?" She also closes the coat and adds, "I don't suppose anyone won my armor back, too..."

And finally adds, "And I'll be happy to do whatever you need to help. Speaking to Dawn, or... otherwise."
(Ithaca Blackwater)
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[18:32] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "Well, no. Don't know where your armor is. I only had the spear because my daughter left it behind."
[18:32] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "We should...probably get you some clothes."
[18:32] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "Other than that old coat."
[18:33] Ithaca Blackwater says, "Mmm... yes. I wonder if Iosefka has my old armor..."
[18:33] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "She might. She's sleeping right now."
[18:33] Kairi exclaims, "Hi Miss Ohtli!"
[18:33] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "Honestly? The Hold's been staying out of trouble. Peaceful more or less."
[18:33] Ithaca Blackwater says, "I'll ask later, then."
[18:33] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "Hello, Kairi."
[18:34] Ithaca Blackwater says, "Mm. Good to hear, then."
[18:34] Ohtli Tezcacoatl asks, "...Ithaca did you come back that young just to spite me?"
[18:34] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "I'm curious."
[18:34] Ithaca Blackwater says, "Err... I wasn't aware I could pick."