[15:45:16] He stayed in Lionhold for quite a while, deciding not to leave not until he found someone whom he could trust Quinn upon.

Men? No, that's out of the question, for he didn't want her to lose it yet again in the company of men. He went out of building, and gazed upon a redheaded figure he thought would be Quinn.

"Quinn, come with me for a while. We need to go somewhere." He said.
(Ciel)
[15:46:08] Ciel: the building*)
[15:47:50] Quinn had snuck out for a few walks here and there while Ciel rested, but she never went far, and trouble seemed to evade her... she was quite lucky, lately. Time slowly healed her wounds, smoothing over the burns that plagued her face and arms.

Scars would always dance across the surface of her skin and her mind, though, reminding her of what she had done.

When Ciel approaches, the woman is shaken from her thought, and her brown eyes flicker up to fix on him. Slowly, she stands, but there's a skeptical glimmer in her stare.

"Where?"
(Quinn)
[15:52:57] "Sunflower. I've found someone who might be able to help you." He said simply, letting his gaze fall upon a black steed down below. It's a different steed than what he had before, although they looked kind of the same.

The man didn't show any signs of reaction regarding Quinn's current physical state, knowing that it might cause discomfort to the woman. He didn't care what she looked like, for his love towards her doesn't dwell upon her appearance.

"I need to leave for the West soon, but not before I find someone whom I can trust." He said. Well, he truly hoped that this person may indeed be of help to her.
(Ciel)
[15:54:40] "Sunflower...? Isn't that place a dump, now?"

She motions for him to move with her as she descends the staircase, towards the path that lead from Lionhold to somewhere deeper into the woods... towards the swamp.

"Does anyone even live there, Ciel?"
(Quinn)
[15:58:04] "Pretty much. Although it's quite recovering." He said, also unsure of how Sunflower actually remains alive, due to the depravity that continues to eat it.

He followed her as they descended down the stairs, before helping her up to mount the steed.

"About a few thousands, maybe one or two. Druids and all that." He responded to question as he leaped up before steering the steed towards the direction of the swamps, galloping away Lionhold.
(Ciel)
[15:58:56] Ciel: (god lagging hard
[15:58:56] Quinn: me too)
[15:58:56] Ciel: (if you wanna rp before we go btw, feel free to do so
[15:58:56] Quinn: nah, go head)
[15:59:47] Ciel: (uh anyone wanna go first? ill go last
[16:00:38] Batkem: (yeah..
[16:04:03] Hoofbeats set the rhythm for Quinn's thoughts as they span the forest, heading westward. Her eyes fell to a close, and the only thing keeping Quinn awake was the rough, jolting motion that came with riding horseback.

She preferred flight.

Her eyes only opened when their motion came to a halt. Quinn moved hastily to push herself off of Ciel's steed, eager to stretch her legs and relieve her aching hips.

Only then did she look up to see the state of the village, which was... getting worse. Her expression twisted, and she looked down at her feet, kicking where marshland clashed with patches of grass. It seemed that the land was trying to reclaim what it once owned.

Quinn looks up, expectantly. Ciel took her to someone, right? Who was it?
(Quinn)
[16:10:52] The spriggan woman, bearing the appearance of a seventeen year old girl with a large head of white locks, stood in the center of the village, her hands clasped before her face with eyes shut. She was praying silently to herself and her lord as many problems became to crop up within her heart. The world was already bearing down upon her.

As for the village itself, it seemed to be doing better than in recent times. The population was still an issue, but the land was being reclaimed in the name of fertile soil, the sunflower standing brighter than evener. Strangely enough, both the woman and the flower exuded the same comforting aura, almost like rays of sunlight constantly basking those near them.

With the sound of hooves clapping aginst the earth, her green eyes opened to eye to spot the duo approaching. Ciel, and a woman she had seen before, a friend of Diarmuid's and a member of the order. This was Quinn?

She gave a gentle smile and a light bow of her head. "Greetings, I am Batkem. I assume you are Quinn?" she says, attention upon the pink haired woman before she shifted her sight to Ciel. "How have you fared?"
(Batkem)
[16:16:51] "Greetings, Lady Batkem." A slight bow was offered to the spriggan, before taking of his mask as a gesture of both trust and respect, and letting himself descend upon the ground.

"Quite well, I suppose." He said in response, and pledged a smile. Well, not really, knowing that Sunflower may be his last stop before he daparts away.

Ciel then looked up at Quinn, nodding in her direction as Batkem addressed her.
(Ciel)
[16:20:16] Quinn nods, and she steps forward to adress the woman. A small, nervous smile tugs at her lips, and she dips her head in a greeting.

"Hi, Batkem. I'm Quinn."

She's looking her up and down, almost scrutinizing her. This was the person that Ciel was trusting to guide her? She was young... and she wasn't exactly physically impressive.

Quinn's confusion didn't surface on her expression. Instead, she just folds her hands in front of her, and smiles awkwardly... she doesn't know what to say.
(Quinn)
[16:24:32] Ciel's courtly manner was quite refreshing, given the manner of events which had been transpiring as of late. She rose her head from her bow, looking to Quinn with a smile. This was the woman cursed with heat, a woman she knew in a vague manner, though not on the reverse.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, young Quinn, but this is not the first time I have set my eyes upon you. I recall that you met the Child of Hajara, Quazla Mabon, just once. Before I took the form you see, I had dwelled within him until his death just a year ago," Batkem says in her soft tone. It was a strange topic, but she was slowly becoming more comfortable with revealing her true nature.

"I have been told that a yokai has laid upon you a hex. Would you please explain to me its nature, in your point of view?"
(Batkem)
[16:29:39] He didn't blame Quinn when she looked at Batkem up and down, as if sizing her up. Even he was quite surprised at first, not until learning what Batkem really was. Perhaps, he'd even be more surprised if he was familiar with Batkem, before she took the form of a young human.

And indeed, it was Batkem, whom Ciel's planning to trust Quinn with. If she lived within Quazla throughout her previous life, then he'd trust her more than the others. Albeit he knew other possible people who might be able to help, he found their ways to be quite -

Anyways, he decided to take a step back for now, letting the both of them speak in case they needed something from him.
(Ciel)
[16:32:12] Ciel: (you can skip me
[16:33:04] Quinn nods. She moves to peel back the sleeve of her jacket on her left arm, and then she unclips her armor, revealing a dark, black mark that plagues her skin. It radiates occult power, and even touching it seems to burn one's skin with darkness.

"Here, a beast's tongue grazed me and, as it took it's dying breath, poured the remainder of it's power into me. I find myself impulsive, and indulgent, and it's hard to deny even the most menial desires. My temper has grown shorter, and headaches and insomnia make my days longer."

Her palm presses against the tainted skin, and she grimaces... it hurts.
(Quinn)
[16:39:02] It seemed there was no real surprise as to the nature of her identity. That was good, it made things simpler. Batkem stepped forward, slender hands grabbing the woman's arm to inspect it, green eyes scrutinizing the strange curse. As she listened to what Quinn said, her brows furrowing in thought. The spriggan had been told that it was a curse, but she didn't realize that it was inflicted through the yokai's dying breath. That would certainly be an incredibly powerful curse, as an incredible amount of power could be squeezed from a dying soul.

She hummed, tapping the wound lightly. It burned quite a bit, and even more so as an exorcist. "Similar to the druid's own curse.." the woman mutters beneath her breath. This was, simply, a matter for exorcism.

Batkem tilted her head back up to eye Quinn, smiling. "I may have a ritual to cure this. Will you two come with me to the grotto?"
(Batkem)
[16:43:18] Kain: (suuh dude)
{Item} Picked up a bag of 850000 dropped by Kain.
[16:44:09] Kain: (ofuk hi ciel
[16:45:00] Ciel: (kain
[16:45:00] Ciel: (sup
[16:45:00] Quinn's grimace intesifies when Batkem's skin meets hers. It's tender to the touch, and the occult magic has withered and twisted her muscles underneath. It wasn't just flesh deep, it appeared.

"I'm not sure if this sort of curse can be cured, Batkem. Perhaps I deserve it." She looks up, turning her head to meet Ciel's gaze. "Even before the mark, the beast's influence changed the way I acted."

"I did things that no man can forgive... but if you're willing, we can try."
(Quinn)
[16:50:59] As he watched, he lifted an eyebrow upon the spriggan's touch. His gaze then immediately turned towards Quinn, noticing her pain, yet he remained calm and composed.

However, he couldn't put the Batkem's words aside, when she whispered something to herself. Similar to the druid's curse? Although he decided not to pry any longer.

Ciel then met Quinn's eyes, before shaking his head. "Stop blaming yourself, Quinn. It irritates me." He said, his voice turning sour before looking back at Batkem, nodding in her direction.

"Please lead the way."
(Ciel)
[16:53:32] The woman gave a brief shake of her head. "Dear Quinn, do you know why Man was created? Kraus himself made man was an improvement upon the angels, yet they themselves are epitomes of purity, powerful, immortal, capable of incredible magics.. yet their flaw is that they cannot be redeemed. Quinn, as a member of mankind, you cannot allow yourself to say you are unforgiveable," she says in a friendly manner, her smile seeming invincible.

She began stepping towards the hut now, waving a hand for them to follow. "Come. You may tell me more of what you have done, if you wish, once we have descended."
(Batkem)
[16:54:24] Quinn: i didnt know this was there!!)
[16:54:24] Quinn: im gonna explore rq..)
[16:58:40] The three passed into a hut, the spriggan leading the way. Within the corner of the room sat a trapdoor, which the woman promptly opened and began to careful process of climbing down the ladder into the enormous cavern below. And truly, it was enormous, as if there was a second village beneath the earth. The only light came from lanterns which hung from the walls, while any scenery consisted of storage crates and sparce plantgrowth.

Continuing to take the lead, passing between two walls of earth seemed to change the world completely. Hard earth gave way to soft soil and grass, a beautiful grotto that, although underground, felt as if it truly was on the surface. In the very center, the stalk of the sunflower trailed down from the ceiling, meeting the floor to root itself even further. The beautiful little slice of nature was illuminated by strange magic sunlight, basking all in a comforting energy.

Batkem took a step towards the plant, setting her hand upon the firm green stalk fondly. A piece of her. She turned back to the two, smiling. "You can take a seat. Quinn, if you would like, tell me what you have done. Tell me what you believe is irredeemable, unforgiveable."
(Batkem)
[17:02:56] Quinn follows Batkem, unaware as they descend the ladder that she is about to enter a different world. Right now, Quinn is within her mind, dwelling in her thoughts and worries, and the anxieties that plague her constantly.

When the firelit cave gives way to a sunny grotto, though, her attention is caught. Quinn's thoughts fade and she moves to focus on the scenery, on the trees and greenery that sprout forth from the ground, as if they were on the surface.

She slides down onto the ground, her palms pushing down into the soft grass. Her face is tipped upwards towards the invisible sun, letting the light warm her cheeks.

"I bartered my freedom and my soul for power, protection, respect and beauty. In exchange, I was supposed to gather information by any means. I lied, manipulated, seduced and twisted to get what I needed - all in order to retain what I had gained from the beast."

"It was evil, what I did. I convinced myself that it was all in good intentions." Her eyes open, and she tips her head down, eying Ciel. "I just wanted to protect what I loved, and that was true... but it didn't excuse the actions that I took.'
(Quinn)
[17:09:45] Ciel silently followed as they passed by the hut, not before lifting an eyebrow as they descended down the cavern below.

As they walked, he couldn't help but notice the sunflower's root reach to even such a depth. For some reason, he felt comfort as he was basked upon with light, before finally letting his gaze back upon the two.

His eyes then met the woman's briefly and listened to her words.

He may not consider himself a Krausite, but Kraus' words had and always have been his guide, and so he agreed with what the spriggan had said. The man found Quinn's words yet again to be quite irritable, simply because he knew that it wasn't all her fault, knowing himself that yokais can manipulate men to their whims - more so for Kaor Lords like the snake. It irritated him, that Xiahcoatl's manipulation even came as far as Quinn doubting herself.

"That bastard. . ." The man thought, yet knew that it's not his place to speak for now.
(Ciel)
Gained 1 Roleplay Points
[17:22:33] The spriggan remained standing, a light hum sounding through her closed mouth as she listened to the woman's words, fingers gently tapping against the stalk of the sunflower. Her green eyes followed up the enough tendril, slowly looking up and down. She was tempted to simply deroot the plant, but.. no, she couldn't. That would be crushing his dream.

Her eyes slid back to Quinn, nodding. "The angels warned humanity to never listen to the lies of yokai. One must never trust the twisting tongue of the serpent, though I am sure you know this now," she says. The woman reminded her of a lot of people she had met during her time with Quazla.

"I believe I might be able to remove it through a ritual involving rune writing and the like. Perhaps the modification of the flesh through runes.. perhaps that is the best way, in truth. A seal upon the skin."
(Batkem)
[17:26:49] "The serpent used runewriting to do it's magic, you know. If you're able to do it, you can try, but... it's not simply on my skin. It's inside of me. It's like a seed, planted inside my spirit."

Quinn grips the blackened flesh of her arm tightly, as if covering it would stop it from working. Her fingers dig deep into her skin, and her light irritation is taken out physically as she presses against her flesh. Batkem is nice. She doesn't deserve any sharp words.

She means well, and Quinn has to keep reminding herself that.

"Even if you could lessen it's effects, I'd be grateful, Batkem... but the yokai was so powerful. I couldn't even strip myself of it's temporary magic."
(Quinn)
[17:27:40] Ciel: (skip me
[17:35:21] A finger pressed against her chin in thought, scrutinizing the woman. It was in her arm, and it affected her mind. The finger tapped against skin until a few grew, a moment of eureka hitting her. It was like poison seeping from the wound of a snake into her heart, but in this case, her soul. In those cases, one would make a tourniquet to cut off the blood flow. In this case, she could make a magical one to stop the occult flow from reaching her.

"Mhm," the spriggan chimes happily to herself. "I believe I've devised a solution, but as I said, it will certainly require body runes," Batkem says. An exhale escaped now though, as she wished she still had the rune writing equipment of the dead druid. Hopefully she could make due with searing them in.

The woman finally lowered herself onto her knees, scooting up to Quinn and grabbing ahold of her arm. "This will be painful, but I can numb the pain slightly. Are you okay with proceeding?" she asks.
(Batkem)
[17:36:12] Ciel: (you can start rping Quinn
[17:37:55] The man allowed his legs to carry him away, a few spaces away from both as he thought about the curse himself.

A seed, planted deep within one's soul. He couldn't think of anything that could lift such a curse like that, not unless he could backtrack on how Xiahcoatl did it itself.

Ciel decided that it would be better if he stays away for now, and to just see what'll happen next.
(Ciel)
[17:40:28] "Yes. I think that I have something that will help the pain, too, but if you have holy magic or something... that'll help. If it requires body runes, how much skin will you need, Batkem?"

"I'm going to go unresponsive for a while, so if I need to remove any articles of clothing, I'd rather do so now."

She looks up at the spriggan, with a tiny smile. She trusts the girl - Ciel trusts her.
(Quinn)
[17:41:20] Quinn: btw, even if this does work to some extent, id like to keep the curse, even if its just weakened. its interesting for rp)
[17:42:11] Quinn: there's no stat nerfs to it, so... i dont really mind it)
[17:42:11] Batkem: (i mean it's your rp, up to you
[17:42:11] Quinn: yeee)
[17:42:11] Ciel: (mhm
[17:47:18] Her finger edged up to Quinn's shoulder, drawing an invisible ring around the very tip of her arm. "The runes would run along here, like a bandage cutting off the blood flow, but the mana flow instead," Batkem explains. There wouldn't be much skin take up, just a small ring across the arm.

A nod was given again, offering the same reassuring smile. "I possess nature, cosmic, and holy magics. It should be suitable to numbing the pain," she says. Based on the subtle comforting aura she carried, it wasn't hard to believe in the slightest. "I would like you to remove your shirt, so as to free up the arm completely."
(Batkem)
[17:47:18] Ciel: (skip me
[17:50:43] Ciel: (strange i cant send discord msgs
[17:51:34] Quinn: servers are down)
[17:51:34] Ciel: (oh rip
[17:52:25] "Alright."

Quinn sets her blade, Revelation, beside her, which may interest Batkem: it exudes holy and cosmic energies of her own. She proceeds to remove her garments, until she sits there in only her braiser. Her muscular body is ravaged with healing scars and burns, too large and immense for magic alone to heal.

She stretches out her arm, and extends it to Batkem, and then she proceeds to explain herself.

"I practice a technique that temporarily puts me in the spirit world, in my own, small realm, through deep meditation. I won't be responsive for a while, so don't worry if I don't come to immediately."

"Are we ready, then?"
(Quinn)
[17:59:15] Quinn: brb, im going to go hop on my other computer so i can snuggle under the covers)
[17:59:15] Batkem: (np
[17:59:15] Quinn: hold your post til i log back in please! ty)
[17:59:15] Ciel: (tyt
[18:03:31]
{LOAD GAME}

[18:04:22] Ciel: (this is fun
[18:05:13] {combat} You killed a Spirit! (+1 EXP, +1cr)
[18:05:13] Ciel: (wow
[18:05:13] Quinn: mine)
[18:05:13] Ciel: (tough
[18:05:13] Ciel: (QQ
[18:05:13] Ciel: (ks
[18:12:54] Her eyes turned to the blade for a moment, interested in the energies which it gave off, but greed did not consume this Krausite raised woman. Batkem's attention was returned almost immediately to Quinn, slender hands resting upon her tainted arm once her clothes were removed.

The spriggan was slightly surprised by what she said, though, a technique to put yourself into the spirit world. "I might wish to learn of that technique.." she whispers lightly, mostly to herself. As a spirit summoner, that would be incredibly useful in her quest for contracting stronger essences.

But that was not the objective of this exchange. Dark green eyes glazed over the skin, taking a moment to think of how she might write this. Batkem lifted her right hand off, index finger pointed towards the skin as a small sunflower sprouts from the tip of the digit. She hummed lightly beneath her breath tossing ideas back and forth within her mind.

A tourniquet of magic, essentially. But she didn't wish to comply cut off the flow of mana, merely the occult energy which flowed through it. So more of a barrier, a filter that would only block the occult taint she was cursed with from passing. The spriggan had a plan.

From the tip of her sunflower tipped finger, a slim beam of cosmic energy shot out, beginning to engrave symbols into the woman's arm, right beneath the shoulder. The style of Batkem's runewriting was different than those of others in the art; she wrote commands with the runic alphabet as a cipher, rather than finding runes for whole words.

'Through this barrier may the mana circuit be constricted, its passage forbidden for the occult taint which plagues the body conflicted. All other energy may flow, while the curse of serpent remains below.'

When writing with the language of angels, she tended to try to make it sound angelic. At the least, poetic or rhymy. In this case, it rhymed quite well, so she was proud. The beam of solar power slowly engraved the runic equivalent of each letter incredibly precise and small, characters wrapping around her arm until they met together where she had started.

The flower upon her finger returned to flesh, while Batkem now set her hands upon her arm to begin flowing a combination of sunlight and holy magic through her to ease pain or injury. "It is over," she states. "Do you feel better?"
(Batkem)
[18:15:28] Ciel: (skip me again
[18:19:44] Before Batkem moves to get to work, Quinn's eyes flutter to a shut. She focuses inwardly, mind and attention all pouring in on herself. She dwells within herself, and then she projects - her spirit delves into her own, small realm, where the waters of her mind sit calm and unswayed by outside worries.

She closes her eyes, and she rests. While she isn't present, the magic that seems to prevail around her is gone as well. The ever-restless bustling energy that shrouds her form has travelled with her, taken with her spirit as she travels.

A sizeable chunk of time passes before Quinn rouses, her mind passing back into the physical realm. The air around her shudders with energy, not visible but definitely tangible, and her eyes open.

Her hand moves to touch her arm, at the glowing runes that wrap around it.

"That feels nice, your magic..." Her stare flickers up to Batkem, and she smiles, almost drowsily. Perhaps Quinn wasn't in the state to gauge her pain... It was as if she had just woke from a nap. Her mind wasn't all there - not yet.
(Quinn)
[18:23:08] The sudden shudder of energy alerted her to when Quinn returned, like she could feel the arrival of her soul. It was interesting, truly a magic she needed to learn. But for now, Batkem kept her hands on the woman's arm, continuing to course healing and rejuvenating magics through her being.

"Quinn, do you think it successful?" the spriggan asks, hoping to get a less murky answer from her once she had refocused her mind.
(Batkem)
[18:27:24] "I - I don't know."

It was hard for Quinn to tell. The easiest tell of the curse was the spiritual pain that racked her at the most inopportune times, twisting a twinge of disappointment to a morose breakdown. Now, though, Quinn's pains were soothed, washed away by warm waves of holy energy that flowed through her body, easing her mind.

But when she looks up at Batkem, her eyes scouring the younger woman's features, her fingers draw inwards, as if she's trying to retract from her. That feeling - no, it wasn't right. Disgust for herself swells deep in Quinn's stomach.

"No. It's - it's not working, Batkem."
(Quinn)
[18:31:40] With the woman's statement, concern drew over Batkem's face, the glow of magic ceasing. Green eyes looked over the woman in a slight bit of panic. Body runes which were created incorrectly were never good, a permanent mar upon a person's being. There was a chance she was simply mistaken, though, so she had to pry.

"By that, what do you mean, Quinn? Do you feel any different, or is it still the same as before?" she asks, leaning towards her.
(Batkem)
[18:37:39] "I - I don't know." Quinn's voice is nervous, shaky. She's avoiding Batkem's gaze, now, as if it would help any... but when the spriggan leans in, Quinn draws away with a start. She tries to pry herself away from her, as if the woman's touch burns... or that touching her would burn the woman.

"Please, Batkem, step away from me - J-just for a moment. I'm okay, I just -...."

She falls silent, as if she's grappling with some internal strife. She can feel it, slithers of the snake's darkness still reaching within her, tainting the crevices of her mind, tinting her thoughts.

This was something different, though, and Ciel, having witnessed Quinn before, would likely notice: she was actually able to combat what she was feeling. She wasn't very experienced at it, though.

"Eugh..." Quinn draws her knees up to her chest, a palm planting against her burning cheeks. She screws her eyes shut, and purses her lips, as if poison might drip past them if she isn't careful.
(Quinn)
[18:44:28] A frown covered his face as he observed Quinn's strange behavior.

Previously, all seemed to go well, and he couldn't help it but only try to gasp for hope. He shot a quick glance at Batkem, his face too showing none but concern and worries. However, he then stepped forward, lending a hand upon Quinn's shoulder, her back facing him.

Without saying a word, Ciel let out a small passage of mana out of his palm, and redirected its flow out towards the surface of the woman's skin. Quinn would feel a chill on her shoulders as Ciel awaited for a reaction.
(Ciel)
[18:51:18] As asked, the spriggan woman rose to her feet and stepped back, eyes set upon her. Quinn had said that the seal hadn't worked, yet it clearly had some effect, since she didn't seem so wrecked by the curse before. Not that Batkem had spent much time with the girl, but there was an obvious change.

Guilt, maybe? She wasn't sure. "Take a moment to breath, as it seems you must. But please tell me what is different once you've composed yourself."
(Batkem)
[18:58:59] The chill shook Quinn from her safe position, and she lashes out, a hand striking to grab at Ciel's leg in an attempt to sweep him from his feet. It's a mixture of reflex and agitation, but as long as it's enough to make Ciel's hand withdraw from her, Quinn ceases.

She pulls herself away from him, drawing her limbs in once more. She's silent, rocking back and forth with her teeth digging into the skin on her lips. She's losing her fight, and the feeling is swelling over her, the pain, the impulses, her urges - so loud, clamoring in her mind, demanding attention.

Quinn groans. It's as if she's being ravaged by some invisible force, and her body is fighting back; the energy around her is growing in intensity, occasional wisps of blue reaching up from the air to snap and slither and then disappear.

Time passes, and as Quinn's mind slows, so does the acceleration of Xiahcoatl's curse. The feeling subsides, and her heart calms, and the pain fades. She raises her head up, finally, and wipes the tears from her face.

"...it's not as bad as it was..."
(Quinn)
[19:06:40] In a swift manner, the magi took a step back barely avoiding Quinn's hand. He figured earlier that if he can use that, then it might help, although it might terribly hurt her. But, then, decided not to observing her reaction.

To watch her like this, was something that kills even someone like him. He wanted to do something about it, as he gripped his only fist in silence, watching her battle her fight on her own.

Perhaps, that's for the better.

After Quinn spoke, Ciel heaved a sigh of relief before approaching Batkem.

"Batkem. . . I beg that you please watch over her, and offer her guidance. In exchange, I'll offer you aid when the time comes." He said, and the spriggan would notice hint of desperation in his voice.

"Please. I need your word."
(Ciel)
[19:11:47] There was a terrible emotion bearing upon her soul as she watched Quinn hug herself and cry on the ground. Batkem was the cause of this suffering, whether indirectly or not, regardless of noble intentions. It hurt to watch, her hands at her side shaking just ever so slightly.

Even as she seems to calm down, and even give assurance that she was feeling better, it still weighed upon her. Her concerned gaze turned to Ciel, locking eyes with him as she offers a nod. "I would not fathom abandoning her, dear Ciel," Batkem says, her own voice vaguely shaky and unstable.

Eyes returned to set upon Quinn, a finger set upon her chin nervously. "Quinn, do you feel better now? Fine?"
(Batkem)
[19:16:03] Quinn had lost her struggle, and now she was tired and vulnerable to whatever emotions decided to sweep her away. She sat on the ground with a tired stare fixed on nowhere in particular as empty thoughts danced across her mind, leaving her idle as the two above her spoke.

Only when she heard Batkem adress her did her stare shake, and move up to fix on her. This was a damaged woman, and her afflictions ran far beyond the curse left by Xiahcoatl's last breath. Nightmares beyond words haunted the woman, and they had collected, leaving her nights restless and her mind damaged.

The two didn't mix well, and it took a toll on the woman.

"I'm okay." She blinks, and more tears free themselves from the corners of her eyes, which fall down to the ground. She's thinking about other things, now, about Lyse, and his fate. "I'm okay."
(Quinn)
[19:22:01] He smiled at Batkem's words, and nodded his head. Her voice was a bit unstable, and yet for some reason, he found reassurance and hope.

Pupils of crimson hues lingered upon Quinn for a moment, as Ciel thought in hesitation. Should he tell her about it? But then, shook his head in silence. Quinn already suffers so much, and he decided not to put more weight on her mind and shoulders.

"Thank you." He whispered, taking his eyes off Quinn back to Batkem.

"I must go now." The magi spoke in a low tone of voice. Seeing as Quinn was still quite unstable, he decided not to bid her farewell. Time is ticking, and he could only hope that they succeed in rescuing Lyse out of Loranthis.

He'd then turn into a mist, and dissipate into the air above if not stopped.
(Ciel)
[19:25:26] The spriggan had witnessed much crying and bawling in her time as an observer of a broken man, so the state of Quinn was one which she knew how to remedy. It was a very simple fix. Batkem gave a light nod to Ciel with a smile before lowering himself to sit beside Quinn, draping her arms around her in order to draw her into a comforting embrace.

"Shh.." she whispers. "You do not have to be okay." That was what she spoke in her ear, simply wrapping about her in a motherly fashion.
(Batkem)
[19:30:33] Ciel was gone, one of the two people she cared for most, but even now she had found comfort. She shouldered into Batkem's embrace, and her words stood with her - it was the first time in her life that she had heard them.

You don't have to be okay.

They made an impact on Quinn, one that would last, and one that she would appreciate. She let herself fall into her tears, into her worries and her sorrows, because that was Quinn, and Quinn was human.

"thank you, Batkem."
(Quinn)
[19:33:58] Being human was something she had learned quite well, having watched over a miserable man in the search for completion. She had watched him perform every sin and manage to lie on the point just before depravity, while finding no solace in any such fact. Batkem had learned swiftly that no human was perfect, but when they came together, they could complete each other.

Her hand slid up to rest atop Quinn's head, lightly stroking her hair as she allows her to cry into her shoulder. The spriggan hummed softly to herself, embracing the woman as she weeps out her tragedies.
(Batkem)